In pageantry, people often spend thousands of dollars on their competition and appearance wardrobe. Durant High School senior Kennedie Clinton, who was crowned Miss Lakeland Teen 2024 on March 9 at Lakeland’s Polk Theater, is proof that pageant queens can save money, and the environment, and still win titles.
Her opening number ensemble included a pair of pants she found in her closet that she’d owned for two years. She bought a bejeweled Zara top from Goodwill that only cost $4 but was missing a few sequins.
Not a problem for Clinton. “I just glued on the sequins that were missing and sparkled it up more,” she said.
Her talent gown was a dress she purchased several years ago on Queenly, a secondhand site for gently-used gowns that she wore when she was a contestant in the Strawberry Festival Junior Royalty Pageant. Her evening gown was given to her last year when she was the 2023 Florida Strawberry Festival Queen.
Clinton spoke about her platform on her Instagram channel SustainableSmiles2024. “I posted a reel about how I was able to stay sustainable with my fashion and still win,” she said.
Clinton, who received a scholarship and will move on to compete for the title of Miss Florida Teen on June 29 at RP Funding Center in Lakeland, is excited to carry her platform to the next level of competition. “I’m really excited to continue to stay sustainable at the Miss Florida level,” she said.
Five Miss America-certified judges crowned six contestants at the three-hour long pageant, including Miss Lakeland, Miss Lakeland Teen, Miss Polk County, Miss Polk County Teen, Miss Swan City and Miss Swan City Teen.
The contestants were judged on a private interview (30%), fitness (20%), talent (20%), evening wear (20%) and on-stage question (10%).
Emma Poole, a senior at Florida Southern College, was named Miss Lakeland first runner-up. She also won the People’s Choice award.
For Poole, who has competed in the Florida Strawberry Festival Queen’s Pageant, Durant High School Calendar Girl, Hillsborough County Fair Harvest Queen and Durant FFA Sweetheart but hadn’t competed in four years, pageantry is a way to build connections with her community.
“I came out of ‘retirement’ of sorts just to put myself out there and say ‘thank you,’ from a blessed almost-graduate to Swan City,” said Poole, who credits her college education to the generosity of the Lakeland community, specifically Publix Charities, who funded her undergraduate studies. “I’m grateful for the Miss Lakeland experience because it gave me something I’ve been reaching for- a truly positive and empowering pageant experience.”
Poole, a local resident, was able to share her love of community with contestants who traveled to the city from other parts of the state. “I was able to tell some of the girls about the uniqueness of the community and show them just what Lakeland is all about,” she said.
Jennifer Chamberlain, Executive Director of Crowning Leaders, is excited for all the contenders moving on in the competition. “I know they’re going to do great,” she said. “We’ve got contenders.”