From first pageant to National crown: Willow Booker named US American Miss Junior Teen 2025

Just entering the 10th grade, Willow Booker has been building a name for herself inside the halls of Lennox High School. 

“Being involved in my school is so important to me, and I knew the best way to be involved would be to join as many organizations as possible. In my short time here I am a part of the color guard, the high school cheer team for football and basketball, a member of FFA, winter color guard, marching band, band, and choir,” she said.

Wanting even more out of her high school experience, Booker reached out to family members to find a new outlet for her to express herself. 

“I have always wanted to be in a pageant but didn’t know anything about the process. Fortunately, my aunt had heard about a pageant happening in Canton for Christmas by a brand new local pageant system called R&C Pageants by Caitlin Mohr and Rylee Rhead,” said Booker. 

Booker and her aunt were out the door to find the perfect outfit and get hair and makeup done. 

“This was my first pageant, so we had no clue what we were doing, but the memories we made will last her and I a lifetime. I did place second runner up, which is third place, but I can’t say it was a tough loss, because it was so much fun,” Booker said.

After the pageant in Canton, Booker’s pageant dreams became reality quickly when a representative from the USA Ambassador Pageant walked in. 

“The USA Ambassador Pageant representative walked right up to me and said I want you to try out for our state pageant because I think you would be really good, and of course I wanted to compete more and learn about the opportunities, so I said yes,” she said.

With no formal training or a clue where to start, Booker took matters into her own hands and started off her pageant journey on her own terms. 

“I wasn’t experienced in anything, I didn’t have a coach, but I knew if I walked into this whole experience treating it as just that, an experience, I couldn’t lose, wherever it brought me is where I was meant to be,” Booker said.

Booker worked her way through smaller pageants, earning Miss Mount Rushmore and Miss South Dakota before having to compete in Nationals. 

“There was no pageant for Miss South Dakota, unfortunately, but I did win, and a certificate was mailed to my house which has allowed me to participate in parades, make contacts within the humane society to make blankets, make monetary donations, all while practicing for Nationals,” she said.

Being her own coach meant a lot of research and soul searching within herself to proudly speak on causes that matter most. 

“When getting ready for Nationals, I read everything about everyone and I wanted to know about the causes that meant so much to people who have been in this industry. I looked at USA American Miss and I immediately thought it looked interesting. They have a national platform call Crown Care which is an anti-bullying campaign that has raised $10,000 towards bullying victims and I wanted to commit myself to that platform. They have the motto ‘Be Genuine’ and that is all I have wanted to be throughout this whole experience,” Booker said.

Competing in Nationals meant leaving South Dakota and traveling to Jacksonville, Florida for the US American Miss Junior Teen Pageant. 

“From the moment we left South Dakota, everything was going wrong, my flight was delayed due to mechanical issues, so by the time we arrived in Jacksonville, I was already running out of time. The second our plane touched the ground, I was in an Uber and getting dressed for the stage I needed to be walking on,” she said.

Never having competed with groups of women from all over, Booker walked into the room thinking it was over for her, and her pageant dreams were ruined. 

“I didn’t realize what world I was walking into. I walked through the door with two minutes to stage time and every girl from my division who were supposed to be my competition, their mothers, and last year’s winners all surrounded me, got me ready, and got me on stage on time,” Booker said.

Booker learned in that moment what the pageant world is truly about. 

“I love that it’s not just all about beauty, it’s about you showing people what’s special about you, and you make your mark on the world and show people what you want to happen. There are so many people to help you, and the inspiration goes both ways. The older girls are inspiring us while we are inspiring girls younger than us to be who you want to be and do what you want to do. It’s such a positive environment to be in and to watch all these girls put their whole heart into it is a once in a lifetime experience,” she said.

The US American Miss Junior Teen Pageant was four days of competition for the girls. 

“Our days would get started at 7 a.m. with rehearsals, makeup, and competitions. There are four key competitions, runway, interview, gown, and if you make it to top three, on stage questions. Afterwards, there were so many fun events to attend including carnivals, decades theme parties, and a gala,” she said.

Competing in front of judges helps build confidence in all contestants and Booker made sure that each judge met her true self. 

“The biggest thing I have learned is that the judges want to see you being you, they know when you are authentic, if you win on something you don’t believe in, then you have to pretend to be that person for an entire year, and no one wants that,” she said.

Booker competed her way into the final three before the nerves started to hit. 

“My goal for Nationals was just to get to the top three, and when the time came to the final two, when they said Miss South Dakota, I remember my mind blanking and thinking am I from South Dakota? But again, the girls surrounded me, and it all hit me at once that I was going to get a crown for winning Nationals,” Booker said.

Crowned US American Miss Junior Teen Pageant, Willow Booker will spend the next year encouraging all to follow their dreams, be true to themselves, and making the experience the experience.