The Royal Spotlight is an interview series where I highlight queens from a variety of pageant systems. In celebration of Black History Month, I decided to highlight two dynamic black queens from the Miss Tri-State Pageant, a regional pageant system open to contestants from Alabama, Georgia and Florida. Miss Tri-State is near an dear to my heart because I am a former queen in this system (I was Ms. Tri-State Elite 2014). This month I had the pleasure of interviewing Miss Tri-State 2017 Terren Merritt and Miss Tri-State Elite 2017 Sequiah King.
Tell us about yourself.
TM: My name is Terren Merritt, and I am a senior at Dora High School, but I am currently taking early classes at The University of Alabama. I like to spend my spare time actively involved in several on campus activities including National Honor Society, Sr. Beta Club, Future Farmers of America, Anchor Club, and Track.
SK: I am a 24 year old career pageant queen currently mentoring middle school and high school students and helping them with study skills and empowering them to reach their greatest potential. I have also coached young women through Barbizon USA on table and telephone etiquette, self-confidence, movement for photo shoots, make-up and hair styling, and giving them the tools to succeed in pageantry.
When did you start competing in pageants?
TM: I started competing in pageants when I was two years old.
SK: I started competing in pageants at the age of 13. My mom’s friend Laura Todd is the person who got me started with my first pageant. One of my first pageants was the Miss Hugs & Kisses Pageant. The Georgia Celebrity USA Pageant is where I won the scholarship to attend Barbizon, thus starting my coaching path with Barbizon.
Why do you compete in pageants?
TM: I like to compete in pageants because it provides me the opportunity to meet a diverse group of girls and make new friends.
SK: I compete in pageants for the love of the sisterhood and the bonds we all make. I compete for the extra opportunities to promote my platform and keep the memory of Lil Jose’ alive. Jose Guiterrez is the inspiration for my platform, One CURE 4 ALL: Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia.
How many titles have you won?
TM: I have won approximately 20 titles.
SK: I think I have won 25+ titles over the years. I lost count along the way. It’s not really about how many I’ve won but the experience and the opportunity to share with others and to raise awareness through my platform: One CURE 4 ALL.
What have you learned about yourself through your pageant experience?
TM: The main thing that I have learned through participating in pageants is to not to give up. It is important to keep in mind that even if you don’t win, you have to keep trying. Learning that lesson and applying it to my own personal experience has been extremely important and gratifying.
SK: One thing I have learned about myself is that I am my own competition, and I should only try to be better than the last pageant I competed in. My growth comes from striving to out compete myself with each new pageant competition.
What are your future plans for your pageant career?
TM: My future plans in regards to pageants is to keep participating in pageants whenever I can. My ultimate goal is to be able to participate in the Miss Universe Pageant.
SK: I plan to become Miss USA one day. I just have to continue to believe in myself, and I will get there!
What words of advice do you live by?
TM: “If you want something, it’s worth the hard work”.
SK: “Never give up no matter how tough things may be.”
Please provide your contact information so that others can reach out to you. Email? Social media handles?
TM: Email: tlmerritt1@crimson.ua.edu Instagram: t_mack3
Leave a Reply