On the world's stage

Abby Horton is no stranger to pageant gowns — the senior at Spain Park High works at Bella’s Bridal and Formal shop in Hoover. However, this past July was the first time Horton ever considered putting one on for her own turn on the stage.

Between schoolwork, volleyball, her job at Bella’s, time with friends and preparing to study early elementary education at UAB, Horton readily admits, “I really have no time.” She had also never considered entering pageants before Gaspar Cruz, the director of the Miss Teen Continents pageant, visited Bella’s. Upon meeting Horton, Cruz encouraged her to compete, and Horton’s boss agreed with him.

In July 2015, Horton competed against other girls from around the U.S. in the Miss Teen United Continents pageant. The week included daily practices and evening pageant events including interviews, swimsuit and evening gown competitions.

“It was fun. It was a fast-paced week,” Horton said. “I didn’t realize how many girls do pageants so often.”

Horton said her favorite part of the pageant was meeting the other competitors, as well as the pageant’s slogan: “Be your own kind of beautiful.” Her experience in her first pageant made Horton want to share it with others.

“It does make you feel beautiful,” Horton said. “It’s a very confidence-boosting thing.”

According to the Miss Teen United Continents website, the pageant judges “search for the girl or woman who holds a dynamic background that leads in community service and self-confidence. “

The pageant did not require an official platform, but Horton has one that she tries to exemplify during her year as Miss Teen United Continents: “Kindness matters.” She said she has learned that you can never tell what another person is going through, and because of that she always wants to be kind.

She has taken this message not only to her day-to-day classes at Spain Park, but also to her former school, Greystone Elementary. Horton recently read books in the classroom of one of her former teachers and shared her message.

“They’re at such a sweet age and I want them to keep that up,” Horton said.

That classroom visit also brought an opportunity for Horton in the form of a potential student teaching position in the future.

“So it’s opened a lot of doors,” Horton said.

This summer, Horton will compete at the international level against girls from around the world in the Miss Teen Continents pageant on June 7-10. Horton said she is getting ready for the pageant, located in Las Vegas, and is thinking of creating a Wonder Woman costume to represent the U.S. in the international costume contest.

“I’m so excited,” Horton said.