Photographer: G. Michael Huggins of Foto-Therapy Photography
Full Name: Jessica Joe-Lean Pelkey
Pageant title: Miss Royalty International Junior Teen
Pageant system: Miss Royalty International (MRI)
Family dynamics: My family consists of my mother, my stepfather, my sister, and two brothers. My grandmother lives with us and my aunt was raised with us as a sibling. We can be a very competitive but loving family. My mother is very much a momma bear, very protective of her children and anyone less fortunate. The best thing about my family is we always help each other and people who may be down on their luck.
Hobbies/Pastime: Dance, Cheer
Where are you from? Originally from Wichita, Kansas. But I currently live in Topeka, Kansas.
What’s your purpose in life? To show girls they can do anything and everything.
If you could choose any career in the world, would you still choose the career or talent you have? Yes, I love dancing. It helps me get all my emotions out and leave them on the floor. It is very therapeutic.
Who are your role models? My dance coach Madeline Marie Fridley, and my cousin Savannah books.
What is your favorite quote? Explain? My dark days made me strong. Or I already was strong, and they made me prove it. —Emery Lord
I learned how to be strong when I was at my lowest.
If you were an animal, what would it be and why? Red pandas are an unusual animal, and they are very cute.
What does entrepreneurship mean to you and why? If I were to start a business, I would be able to show young girls that their dreams are achievable and obtainable.
Being an International Queen, what does that mean to you? Where I come from, we do not have a lot of pageants so that is not something girls try to make a goal of but being able to win the international title has shown local small-town girls that this is something that they might be interested in, and how many doors it does open for them.
Photographer: Maik Alejandro Almanza Media Producer: Cuauhtemoc Campos
Is this your first pageant, and how does it feel to be competing? This is my second pageant, it’s nerve-racking with a rush of adrenaline
What do you do outside of pageantry? (Job, School) What do you do to keep the balance? I am a competitive dancer that competes on a local national level. I also do Cheer. I’m in the high school band. I put my schedule in my phone so I can keep track of where I need to be and what I need to practice.
What advice would you give a new queen starting her journey through pageantry? Make friends enjoy the journey, study interview techniques, don’t be afraid to thrift your jewelry and your outfits, and practice your walks. Don’t forget to talk to people in your community and set good examples for everybody who is watching you.
Photographer: Maik Alejandro Almanza Media Producer: Cuauhtemoc Campos
What do you plan to accomplish on an international spectrum for change while having this title? I want young children and young teenagers to know that their emotions and feelings are relevant, how to communicate those emotions and feelings better, and know the signs of being down and depressed or possibly having suicidal idealation and being able to get treatment for that and not being ashamed.
(Question for my older Queens) What would you tell your younger self? Keep going, don’t worry about what other people think of you.
(Question for my older Queens) Knowing what you know now, would you change anything in your past? Not to stress over the interview questions and don’t stress as much just be yourself.
If you could leave a lasting impression, what would that look like? Size does not define who you are and what you can achieve, and your mental health means more than anything else.
