Tessa Pagone of Gibsonia was crowned the 2022 National American Miss Pennsylvania Jr. Teen at the state pageant held in Virginia in August.

The Deer Lakes High School sophomore has participated in National American Miss pageants for six years and most recently competed in the age 13-15 bracket. She qualified for the state-level competition through an interview process, a personal introduction/formal wear component in which she gave a speech about her ambitions and community service.

Pagone founded Women of Worth, an effort aimed at donating to women who have been victims of domestic abuse. She plans to make it a nationwide and worldwide effort and has gotten a head start in the region.

In the last year, Pagone said she has organized events that have resulted in more than 75,000 items being donated to domestic abuse survivors.

“I started off by making calming bracelets with scents to help calm you and donated them to women’s shelters,” Pagone said. “That was a few years ago, and it has continuously grown since then. I held a clothing drive in my grandma’s community and we collected 40 bags of clothing from that, and tens of thousands of items of clothing. That was really amazing. I hope to make it a seasonal drive, so the next one will hopefully be sometime in the winter.”

Pagone began competing in pageants after her dance teachers felt it would improve her stage presence.

“I’m glad I tried it because I enjoy it,” she said. “I also feel really lucky because I’m a part of something special. It’s a great experience that has benefited me so much from public speaking to interview skills to confidence. Everything I’ve done through NAM has benefited me in some way in life. I’ve learned that everyone is going through something, and everyone has something to offer and contribute. Everyone can make a difference.”

Pagone will be attending the National Pageant in Orlando, Fla., during Thanksgiving week, where she will have the opportunity to win her share of more than $100 million in cash and prizes. She is the daughter of Jamie and Rachael Pagone.

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