Who will be the next to wear the most beautiful crown in the Lone Star State?

Do your New Year’s resolutions include becoming a better you and making a difference in your community? Have you ever dreamed of one day wearing a sparkling crown and sash to put a smile on a child’s face and bring awareness to a cause close to your heart? The International Pageant System recognizes ladies across the state, from teens to misses to married women, for their accomplishments and their desire to make a difference.

The search is on and applications are now being accepted for the titles of Miss Teen North Texas, Miss North Texas and Mrs. North Texas International 2014. These women will have the honor of representing their area at the Texas International Pageant to be held at the Granville Arts Center in the Dallas, Texas, area March 14-16. A new Miss Teen Texas International, Miss Texas International and Mrs. Texas International will be crowned then, kick-starting a year unlike any other for the lucky ladies who will represent Texas, wearing the most beautiful crown in the Lone Star State.

“The Texas International system is something that dads and husbands can be proud of their daughters and wives participating in,” said Rachel Hedstrom, director of Texas International and former Mrs. Texas International 2012. “This is the kind of system that rewards women for who they are and what they want for themselves and their families.”

No previous pageant experience is necessary, and there is no talent or swimsuit division. Married women compete in interview, fitness wear and evening gown, where they are escorted by their husbands on stage. Teen and miss contestants compete in interview, fitness wear and evening gown, as well as “fun fashion,” a category devoted to showing off their own personal style in an age-appropriate outfit of their choosing.

“It’s all about celebrating women as they truly are, and showing a level of confidence as they sparkle on-stage,” said Hedstrom.

Mrs. applicants must be married and between the ages of 21 and 56 as of July 1, 2014. Miss applicants must be unmarried and between the ages of 19 and 30, and teen applicants must be unmarried and between the ages of 13 and 18 as of July 1, 2014.

The women selected as Miss Teen North Texas, Miss North Texas and Mrs. North Texas will serve as ambassadors from the North Texas area with an official title and sash. Other area titles are also available.

The women crowned as Miss Teen Texas International, Miss Texas International and Mrs. Texas International 2014 will each receive a prize package valued in the thousands of dollars and the opportunity to represent Texas at the 2014 Mrs. International, Miss International or Miss Teen International Pageant in Florida in July.

Mrs. Texas International 2013 Michelle Berndt is a mom of two and a fourth-generation breast cancer survivor who was crowned while wearing a wig, a result of her chemotherapy and radiation treatments. She has spoken across the southwest and in the media about her campaign against cancer, and has been featured in a documentary about her mission. Miss Texas International 2013 Samantha Riddle is an advocate for heart disease awareness, and has lobbied the Texas State Legislature, working closely with the American Heart Association and serving myriad non-profit causes, for which she frequently makes appearances. Miss Teen Texas International 2013 Kylie Boyd is a student at Texas Tech University, where she is also a barrel racer. She has led the Polar Bear Plunge at Sea World of Texas, and has shot for National Geographic magazine, in which she will be featured later this year.

“The International system allows women to be at their best and to chase their dreams,” said Hedstrom. “It’s not about fitting into an unrealistic norm; it’s about helping these women get to that next level and do something meaningful and fulfilling. Competing is about investing in who they are, not trying to be someone they are not. In that, these girls find success.”

To learn more about the pageant or the reigning titleholders, please visit http://www.mrstexasinternational.com, http://www.misstexasinternational.com, or http://www.missteentexasinternational.com. To request an application to represent your area, please contact Rachel Hedstrom at texasinternationalpageant@gmail.com.