Adriana’s journey into the Miss America opportunity began last year!  After being a competitive dancer for seven years and competing in her high school’s pageant for two years, she decided to chase her dreams of competing for the title of Miss North Carolina’s Teen.  She has always loved competing, dressing up, and most importantly, helping others around her and serving her community. She won her first title, Miss Carolina Foothills’ Teen, last year and attended her first Miss North Carolina last summer.  “The Miss America Opportunity was always such a positive, bright light in my life last year, and I knew that I wanted to go back to High Point this June”, she said.  She’s so grateful to be given the opportunity again and compete as your Miss Catawba Valley’s Teen!  Something she’s learned through this organization is that you always have to believe in yourself and with hard work and dedication, you can do anything you put your mind to! 

Adriana is a junior at East Lincoln High School and is also dually enrolled at Gaston Community College.  After high school, she hopes to attend the University of Tampa to obtain her B.S. in Biology, while minoring in public health.  After that, she plans to attend The University of Tampa’s Physician Assistant program, become a PA in Dermatology, and find a cure, with no risks and side effects, for skin diseases like acne.  

As a daughter of a teacher, Adriana grew up in classrooms and schools, even before starting kindergarten.  She has seen firsthand how hard it can be for students with disabilities or differences to struggle to feel included, seen, and have the resources necessary to feel successful.  She says, “I know what it’s like to be bullied because I wasn’t concerned about looking like everyone else and fitting in.  To this day, this is still an issue for me, but I’ve seen within myself how powerful it is when you accept who you truly are.”  Determined to turn her experiences into a platform to empower and advocate, she founded “DARE to be Yourself.”  Through this initiative, she empowers disabled youth and educates communities on the importance of acceptance and inclusion.  Since founding “DARE to be Yourself”, she’s reached over 250 students by discussing how imperative it is to embrace your individuality.  She’s spent time in numerous inclusive learning classrooms and had the opportunity to attend three Special Olympics events last year.  Her favorite part is getting to create special bonds and friendships, while also helping them learn valuable life skills.

Being crowned Miss Catawba Valley’s Teen has given her an incredible platform to share her voice and her purpose. As she prepares to compete for Miss North Carolina’s Teen this June, she sees pageantry as so much more than a competition; it’s a chance to make a real impact in her community. Through my platform, I hope to inspire others by showing the strength of perseverance and the importance of speaking up for the causes that you’re passionate about. “This journey isn’t just about the crown, it’s about using the opportunity to uplift, educate, and spark positive change in our communities!” says Adriana.