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Friday, March 29, 2024

Teen conducts pageants to send positive message

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Teen Talk, a new Indianapolis Recorder initiative, is a column by local teenagers who represent a variety of schools and backgrounds. In the weekly installments, teens will discuss their views on certain issues and concerns they may have and even their dreams and future plans.

Teens, if you want your voice to be heard, email us at newsroom@indyrecorder.com. Tweet us at Twitter.com/IndyRecorder, or write us on facebook.com/IndianapolisRecorder to tell us your thoughts on this new series.

This week youā€™ll hear from Kayanna Lovett who realizes her struggles can free girls just like her.

Pageants are automatically associated with beauty, glitz and glamour. But one teenage girl wanted to change that.

Her name is Kayanna Lovett. Sheā€™s a 15-year-old self-proclaimed entrepreneur and founder of Kayanna Lovett Teen (KLT) Pageants. The process of building her business started two years ago, but last year after winning second place in the Indiana Black Expo Youth Entrepreneurship Competition, she was able to see it become a reality.

ā€œI have always been told I was a leader whether it was a positive or negative one. I decided to take my leadership skills and use it for good to help young girls deal with the same issues I do. I have a passion for pageants and telling my life story,ā€ said Lovett a freshman at Fall Creek Academy.

This yearā€™s KLT Pageant is entitled Miss Indyā€™s Dazzling Star. Its slogan is ā€œwe refuse to be ordinary.ā€ The competition consists of two divisions: a Junior Division (6th and 7th grades) and Senior Division (8th and 9th grades). The girls are judged on their personality and uniqueness in categories including a personal interview, an on stage question, casual wear, evening gown, talent and community service.

The crowned Miss Indyā€™s Dazzling Star Queen will participate in speaking engagements, events and community service throughout her reign. The star will be crowned March 17.

At KLT Pageants not wearing makeup is an option, and everyone goes home with a trophy as well.

ā€œI say let your looks define who you are, not Mary Kay or MAC (Cosmetics). Everybody is a winner and will receive an award. I want to teach girls even if you donā€™t win youā€™re still a queen. Iā€™ve participated in pageants and didnā€™t win, but that did not affect me. I want girls to be the same way,ā€ she said.

Her mother, Patricia Lovett, smiles at the impact her daughter is making in the lives of others.

ā€œI am very proud of my baby.Ā She has always been a leader; she just needed to decide which way she was going to lead those she leads.Ā I am glad she chose the positive leadership. She has a passion for these young ladies,ā€ Patricia Lovett said.

Ā Although Lovett exudes positivity, she still deals with the same struggles other teens experience. Her life took a turn for the worse earlier this year when she was expelled from school for fighting. The altercation stemmed from her being bullied.

ā€œIā€™ve had issues in school. I felt like I wasnā€™t a leader, because I got expelled for fighting,ā€ she said. ā€œIt affected me a lot. But Iā€™m back and determined to work hard so I can attend Howard University in the future.ā€

Her mother even had her doubts.

ā€œThere have been a few times I thought she was not ready to be the mentor she wanted to be,ā€ she explained. ā€œKayanna is not the perfect child and has had issues. But I have always told her sometimes you have to go through the issues to help others.ā€Ā 

Lovett admits its hard juggling school, pageant practice every Monday and Thursday, checking on the girls and maintaining her social life. Last week resulted in her crying and contemplating her decision to continue Miss Indyā€™s Dazzling Star.

ā€œItā€™s all so demanding, but I will pull through,ā€ she said. ā€œPeople say running a business is really hard, and I have to agree with that. I am taking away an awesome experience and working with amazing girls.ā€

Lovett hired a personal assistant, also known as her mom, to lighten the load.

ā€œMy advice to her has always been your grades come first. Her fight and passion for what she believes in is so strong that I allowed her to continue. And yes I have been fired a few times then hired back,ā€ her mother said, laughing.

Lovettā€™s confidence has taken her far, but it also cost her a crown before.

ā€œA judge told me I was overconfident. It resulted in me not placing in the pageant,ā€ Lovett said. ā€œBut me being strong minded, it didnā€™t affect me. I always say, never walk with your head down because your crown may fall off. I appreciate the constructive criticism.ā€

Pageant Day

– When: March 17

– Location: Latvian Center, 1008 W. 64th St. Indianapolis, IN 46260

– Doors open at 3:30 p.m.

– Show starts 4 p.m.

– Tickets are $5 in advance or $10 at the door.

For more information or to donate, go to klteenpageants.com or email klovett@KLTeenPageants.com.

Follow KLT Pageants on Twitter @KLTeenPageants and Facebook at facebook.com/klteenpageants.

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