Kelly Seiberlich The 2009 Arizona Jr Teen, sets a high standard for teens everywhere!!! Kelly can go from pageants to pigs and isn't afraid to get a little messy to be rolemodel in her community !!! Kelly is an active volunteer and one year she won the National American Miss Golden Achievement In Service Award at the National Pageant !! Lets get the 411 on what this Jr Teen is doing and what everyday life is like for a NAM titleholder !!!
Kelly: Being NAM’s Miss Arizona Junior Teen is a huge honor. It means that a panel of judges had faith in me, and in my ability to represent the junior teens in Arizona and promote NAM throughout the state. It is also a huge responsibility because when I put on my crown and banner, I not only represent NAM, but also serve as a role model for other girls. It’s hard to describe the feeling I get when younger girls look up to me, and ask for my autograph, or to have their picture taken with me. I feel honored and humbled at the same time. Being the NAM AZ Junior Teen also means being involved in my community, and serving others.
Tiffany:What activities are you involved in at school?
Kelly: I am an officer for my school’s FFA chapter, as the Correspondence Reporter. I compete in Livestock Judging as well as Prepared Public Speaking. In livestock I judge different animals from swine (pigs) and steers to lambs and goats. In Prepared Public Speaking, I have to memorize and recite a speech I wrote that is 6 to 8 minutes in length, and answer questions on my topic. I am also raising a pig to show and market at the county fair. In addition, I am involved in my school’s dance program, and performed in the high school dance recital, which was a blast! (Especially since the NAM AZ Teen, Jr. Preteen, and Princess all came to watch and support me!) I also spend several hours each week in the training room, where I am learning to be a student athletic trainer. For my first two years of high school I was also a cheerleader.
Kelly:It’s weird because I never get nervous speaking in front of people, but I was extremely nervous before going into the show ring for the first time with my pig. I had no idea what to expect! It’s so much fun to be able to say that I can get dress up with the best of them but I’m not afraid to get my “heels” dirty either. It helps me be a well-rounded person, and not a typical stereo-type. Both roles are preparing me to be successful in life. Pageantry is teaching me life skills such as public speaking, interviewing, and confidence. Raising pigs teaches me about the anatomy, physiology, and feed systems of animals that I will need to know as a large animal veterinarian.
Tiffany:What are your plans after high school?
Kelly:My plan is to attend Northern Arizona University and earn a Bachelor’s degree in athletic training. Then I plan to transfer to either Texas A&M, Colorado State, the University of Florida, or the University of Georgia to get my Veterinary Medical degree. I would one day love to be a large animal vet as well as an athletic trainer at a high school or university.
Kelly: Pageantry has definitely made me who I am today. If I had never been involved in pageants, I can guarantee that I would not be able to speak in front of a large audience, or even to my class. Pageants have also made me more comfortable around my peers as well as my elders, and the experiences I have had will definitely give me a heads up in the game of looking for a job. The pageants gave me a confidence and high self esteem, which are essential for being successful in life.
Tiffany: What is your definition of a "NAM" girl?
Kelly: Wow, this is definitely a complex question because being a NAM girl means so many things. NAM girls are multi-dimensional—they aren’t just pretty faces. They come in all different sizes, shapes, physical abilities, and ethnic backgrounds. They come from all social and economic backgrounds. They are diverse and truly represent our great country. What they have in common is they all overcome the challenges they face because they believe in themselves. A NAM girl is comfortable with who she is, and is not afraid to be herself. She is a role model who stands up for what she believes in. A NAM girl is involved; in her school, church, or community. She is caring, friendly, and patriotic. I can go on and on, but the main thing is, a NAM girl sets the bar. I am very proud to call myself a NAM girl, and very humbled to belong to such an impressive peer group.
Kelly:The best advice I have ever received is to “think highly of yourself because if you don’t, no one else will”. That advice has helped me a lot through struggles that I have being a teenager in high school. When I think about that advice, I always know to lift my head high and to not let others drag me down. It has definitely helped me get through high school.
Tiffany: What is everyday life like for you being the NAM AZ Jr Teen and a teenager?
Kelly:All of my friends at school know me as ‘Miss Arizona’ and its fun to have all of them support me. Being a teenager can be very difficult at times, especially since we aren’t known to always make the best choices. Being the NAM AZ Jr. Teen actually makes it easier for me to make choices because I stop and think “is this acceptable behavior for a state queen?” If the answer is no, then I don’t do it. As a typical teenager, I am very involved in my school and sports. As NAM’s Miss Arizona Junior Teen, I am very involved in community service. So far this year my sister queens and I have done many charity events that include: a 911 remembrance walk, Breast Cancer Awareness walk, Dillard’s Fashion Show benefiting breast cancer, a support our troops function, a luncheon that benefited domestic violence victims, and lots of other service activities. It is so much fun to give back to the community. I have also been able to travel all around the state from big cities, to towns no one has heard of, riding in parades and talking to girls about how they can become part of the NAM family. Also, my teen queen has become one of my closest friends. This year has been a blast for me.
Kelly:Be yourself. No one will be able to love you if they don’t get a chance to know the real you. There is no need to be someone you’re not. And also, have fun. Let your personality show. It makes the entire weekend so much better if you’re just having fun, because then you get to meet a whole bunch of new great friends, and you’ll have a blast while competing.
Tiffany: What is your favorite optional competition? and how do you prepare for it?
Kelly:My favorite optional is spokesmodel. Spokesmodel is my favorite because I love to speak in front of people. I usually start preparing a couple months before the actual competition so that I can have my speech fully memorized and not have to worry about looking down at my paper. I work on my speed, making sure I’m not too fast, or that I’m not too slow. Picking a topic close to my heart is always the best way to be able to memorize it quicker and perform the speech better.
