Tiffany: How did you get involved in National American Miss?
Peyton: I had just finished my reign as the Little Miss for our village. I was sad that it was over because we had sooo much fun! National American Miss’s letter came in the mail and I knew I wanted to do it! My mom was in bed sick so my dad signed me up!
Tiffany:How did you prepare for the National Pageant?
Peyton:I did not practice too much because that makes me VERY nervous. I practiced lots of interview questions with my mom whenever we were just drying my hair or driving or just had some free time. She just asked me questions about myself and I practiced answering without saying the words “like” or “umm.” After open calls, I practiced walking slowly. And for my personal introduction, I liked to practice using my karaoke machine. The microphone on it helped a lot!
Tiffany:What is the best advice you have ever received?
Peyton:The best advice I have ever received is a common one. My mom has always told me to be myself, not the person next to me. I am great just the way I am! Of course, like everyone, I have faults and imperfections, but they are what makes me who I am. I can always work toward improving anything, but I can’t change who I am.
Tiffany:What quote , motto or scripture best describes you?
Peyton:The quote that best describes me is “I may have a small voice, but I know how to use a megaphone!” I love to talk and talk and talk! My favorite place to do this is on stage with a microphone in my hand!!
Tiffany:What are your plans for the future?
Peyton:I really want to be an author who writes children’s books. I love to read and go on all the adventures that books take me on and I want to do that for kids.
Tiffany: What activities are you involved in?
Peyton: I am involved in jazz, ballet, basketball, softball, Project Change (like a student council at school), Girl Scouts and I play the viola.
Tiffany:What do you like to do for fun?
Peyton: I love to just be with my friends! We can play barbies, house, school, or anything! I just really love to be with my friends.
Tiffany:What is one item you can’t live without?
Peyton:One item, or quite a few of them actually, that I cannot live without are my stuffed animals. They have to surround me when I am sleeping. It is so hard to travel when I can only bring one or two of them!
Tiffany:Who is your rolemodel?
Peyton:My mom is my role model. She is so awesome! She teaches during the day and helps me with whatever me or my brothers need when she gets home. She is a great cook and a good reader. I love when we snuggle up and she reads to me.
Tiffany:What is your favorite TV show?
Peyton:My favorite TV show is Dance Moms! I love that show because I take dance and I think the dancers are so incredible. The mom drama can sometimes be silly but I really like watching all of the awesome places that they get to compete at and the cool things that they get to do.
Tiffany:If you had three wishes what would you wish for?
Peyton:If I had three wishes, I would wish for everyone to support Book Worm Angels to help kids read, all wars to end, and for my dog to be able to tell me what he is thinking when we play together!
Tiffany:If you could go anywhere in the world where would you go?
Peyton:If I could go anywhere in the world, I would go to Paris. I think I would love to go there! My mom and I love to shop and Paris has the best shopping in the world! The Paris hotel in Las Vegas was my favorite hotel! We went up in the Eiffel Tower which looks just like the one in Paris.
Tiffany:What is your definition of a NAM girl?
Peyton:I think a NAM girl is one that is herself and confident. Those are the two most important qualities for girls that are my age. If you cannot be yourself, then you could fall into the wrong group or not have real friends who love you for who you are. Also, being confident carries over to everything you do in life. From dealing with you teachers and coaches, to meeting new people you need to be confident in who you are. I think the NAM girls have so much to offer and I feel so honored to be a part of such an amazing group of young ladies!
Tiffany: If you were stranded on a deserted island what three things could you not live with out?Peyton:If I were stranded on a deserted island, I could not live without my bedtime companions (my stuffed animals), my family, and good books to read while I waited to be rescued!
Tiffany: What is your most prized possession?
Peyton:My most prized possessions are my NAM crown and sash!
Tiffany:How would your friends describe you?
Peyton: If my friends were asked to describe me, they would say that I am really silly! They would say that I love to make up games for us to play where we all just end up laughing until our stomachs hurt.
Tiffany:How are you making a difference in your community?
Peyton:I am working really hard for my favorite charity Book Worm Angels. Book Worms Angels provides books to underprivileged classrooms. So far, I have collected almost 2,000 books! I am also hosting an event on February 12 with Barnes and Noble for Book Worm Angels. Barnes and Noble will give a portion of the proceeds to Book Worm Angels! I am sooo excited!
Tiffany: If you could go back in time and be at any historical event what would it be?
If I could go back in time and be at any historical event, I would go back to when Pocahontas met John Smith. I would love to see how they began to communicate.
Tiffany:If you could go back in time and meet one person, who would it be and why?
Peyton: If I could go back in time and meet one person, I would want to meet Pocahontas. I would want to meet her because she changed the world! She helped the Native Americans communicate with the people from England. She was peaceful and trusting and I think she could offer some great advice to girls all over the world.
Tiffany:If you could be famous for something, what would you want to be famous for?
Peyton:If I could be famous for something, I would want to be famous for writing awesome children’s books! I love to write and I want people to line up for my books on the night before they come out like they do for authors like JK Rowling!
Tiffany:What is your favorite book? And why?
Peyton:My favorite book is The Diary of Wimpy Kid. I think it is so funny! I have not ever read a book like that that makes me laugh out loud the way it did.
Tiffany:Where is your favorite place to shop?
Peyton: My favorite place to shop is at Von Maur. It is a department store near us where I can always find something I love! From shoes to dresses, jeans to pajamas, they have everything and it is all really cute.
Tiffany:Who is the most influential person in the world now?
Peyton: I think the most influential person in the world right now is Barak Obama. He is the first African American president of our country and he is really cool! I just saw him on the news singing a song at the end of one of his speeches!
Tiffany:Who or what inspires you most?
Peyton: One of my sister queens, Kristen, inspires me the most. She is incredibly smart, so sweet, and absolutely beautiful! She will drop everything when she comes home from college to have lunch or dinner with me. I want to be just like her when I am her age.
Tiffany:What have you learned about yourself since competing in pageants?
Peyton: Since I have been competing in pageants, I have learned that once I am on stage, all of my butterflies go away. I would always panic right before going on stage, feeling like I would forget everything. But now, I just go on stage, butterflies and all, and do my absolute best!
Tiffany: What advice do you have for future NAM girls?
Peyton: I would tell any girl who finds herself in my shoes to go for it! I have had an amazing time and have gotten to do things that I never thought I would get to do! Be yourself, be confident in yourself and have lots of fun! We went to California knowing that it was going to be a great family vacation and boy was it!
Tiffany: What do you plan to do with your title this year?
Peyton: I plan to do as much as I possibly can! I want to do so much for Book Worm Angels. I want to inspire other young girls to be confident young women! I want to travel. I want to meet a lot of people. And I want to make it the best possible year ever!
Tiffany:Tell me about yourself.
Peyton: I am a nine year old fourth grader. I love to dance and play sports, and to write and read. Most of all, I love to participate in pageants! Being on stage is so much fun and you get to meet lots of new friends. I have two teenage brothers who are pretty cool and a black lab dog, named Chase. My favorite school subject is Reading. I started playing the Viola this year and I absolutely love it!!
