In November of 2024, Kennedy senior Elíana Hansen wrapped up her fourth competitive pageant season. Over her on the pageant scene, Hansen has competed in five competitions, including National American Miss (NAM) in Orlando, Florida.
Hansen started doing pageants in 2021, with a background in modeling, as a way to open up.
“I got started in 2021 because I was super shy,” Hansen said. “I really wanted to try something new. I used to model when I was younger but had to take a break. This was because they would ask me to fly out the day of the photo shoots, and my parents wanted me to have a decently normal childhood,” Hansen said.
After starting pageants, Hansen found out it helped her in other aspects of her life. As she made memories along the pageant trail, she reached her goals of spreading awareness for suicide prevention.
“I lost my uncle to suicide and got to speak about that and make an impact in other people’s lives too. It was such a blessing in disguise,” Hansen said.
Pageants helped Hansen become the person she is by creating life changing memories, as well as making her a better communicator.
“My favorite memory was definitely the National All-American Miss Nationals this year. It was ten days full of positive vibes and life changing moments,” Hansen said. “These memories were so special to me and gave me the confidence I never knew I had, which made them life changing in so many different ways.”
Hansen competed across Iowa over her competitive years and earned her first National appearance.
During Hansen’s season she placed third runner-up for Miss Teen Iowa, as well as placed in all the optional competitions she did at the NAM state competition. This led her to attain the title of Miss Teen Cedar Rapids and Miss Heart of North Eastern Iowa, qualifying her for 2024 nationals.
“2025 might be the last season of pageants for me but I plan to continue coaching little girls to their fullest potential,” Hansen said. “I plan to sign with a new modeling agency called “QB Elite” out of Orlando, Florida and start my modeling career again.”
As Hansen’s pageant career comes to an end, she starts to think about college and what the future might hold for her. She hopes to continue helping people by becoming a flight surgeon at the Air Force Academy, however, she won’t be able to travel to compete anymore in pageants, which is why this season is her last.
“I am also hoping to attend the Air Force Academy, and study to become a flight surgeon in the U.S Air Force,” Hansen said. “I learned so much through my pageants and became so passionate about helping others that I think being a Flight Surgeon will be a great fit for me.”
