FSLM Student Profile May 2024
/Meet Kynlee Flippen
By Madeline Smallwood
photo by shane darby
Adorned with sparkling tiaras and radiant smiles, the pageant contestants hold their heads high as they hope to don the winner’s crown and sash. Among the young women is Texas High School junior Kynlee Flippen.
“So this is actually my first year of competing in pageants,” Kynlee said. “I had a bunch of female role models in my life pushing me to do pageants. It was a step out of my comfort zone, but I ended up really enjoying it.”
With two pageants under her belt, Kynlee is the current titleholder of Miss Northeast Texas Teen. “I haven’t gotten too far into [the pageant world] yet, since I haven’t competed at Miss Texas, but I will in June,” she said.
photo by michelle horton with studio h photography
Kylee has found that competing in pageants leads to more opportunities.
“I’ve been able to get out in the community more and be able to share my voice—because having a crown and a sash can really put you on a pedestal to some people and allow them to listen to you and hear your words and apply them to their own lives,” Kynlee shared. “My service initiative is called GOAL, which stands for ‘Get Out And Look.’ It’s primarily about bridging the gap that exists between the homeless population and the rest of our communities.”
Additionally, Kynlee has been able to meet and connect with influential individuals, such as Texas Governor Greg Abbott, who was recently in Texarkana at a political rally. As Miss Northeast Texas Teen, Kynlee was invited to attend as well.
“I realized that it’s okay to be yourself because people love authenticity, and they don’t want you to put on a fake face and pretend to be somebody that you’re not.”
“That morning, I woke up and had to immediately get in the right mindset,” she said. “It was a big day for me because I had to present myself and the Miss Northeast Texas Teen organization well. It was so neat to be able to meet and talk with the figurehead of our state. I was so lucky to have a conversation with him and get to experience that.”
With the Miss Texas pageant quickly approaching, Kynlee has found that thorough preparation is key. “I’ve been going over potential questions for interviews and gaining as much knowledge as possible about politics,” she said. “I’ve been trying to dig deep and really pull out the things that are interesting about me and make me different. I’ve been watching my posture and practicing doing my own hair and makeup leading up to Miss Texas.”
In addition to personal and community opportunities, pageants also provide lifelong memories and connections.
“My favorite thing about pageants is really just the friendships that come along with it,” Kynlee shared. “I’ve really gotten to bond with the girls that are in the Miss Texarkana organization. We all have a passion for making the world a better place regardless of our service initiatives.”
Even though the pageant lifestyle requires hard work and dedication, Kynlee highly recommends it. However, she has one piece of advice.
Submitted photo
“You have to be yourself,” she said. “When I first stepped into it, I was super nervous. Then I realized that it’s okay to be yourself because people love authenticity, and they don’t want you to put on a fake face and pretend to be somebody that you’re not.”
Kynlee’s main mission through her pageantry is for everyone to be respected and treated with dignity. “I just want everybody to feel included and loved and welcome, no matter what their situation is or whoever they may be,” she said. “Everyone deserves a chance at love, and that’s what life’s all about.”