Submitted Photo. Isabella Castleberry, 11, wins Young Miss of America 2019. 

VALDOSTA – “Our new Young Miss of America titleholder is Isabella Castleberry.”

Being crowned on the American Pageants stage felt like a dream to Isabella Castleberry who defeated contestants at the national level to be Young Miss of America 2019.

The academic-based pageant took place in Orlando, Fla., following Thanksgiving.

She won Young Miss of Georgia last June.

The Valwood School fifth-grader said her eyes filled with tears as she walked in victory to receive her crown and sash.

“The whole thing was amazing, and it was really fun,” Isabella Castleberry said.

It was exciting for Ava Castleberry to watch her daughter take the stage and claim her title. She said she had faith the entire time.

“I was shocked. I was mostly excited because I knew what a great opportunity it was really going to be for her, and a little bit of disbelief…but we really had a great time,” Ava Castleberry said.

Sixty percent of the judging was completed prior to pageant day with criteria based on grades, community service and a contestant’s academic resume.

“I really liked that it was a good one and that it wasn’t based all on her looks. That’s huge to me, that it was based more on her being a good person and smart,” Ava Castleberry said.

The straight-A student was interviewed upon arrival, performed an opening dance and competed in categories such as poise and question-and-answer.

The Valdosta resident was given the question: If you could change anything about your school, what would it be?

“I said I would change more outdoor activities because it’s a fact and it’s proven to help you learn more and faster,” Isabella Castleberry said.

The honor student’s platform promoted anti-bullying within the youth community, a campaign she created at Valwood.

She read to students in pre-kindergarten through fourth grade about the dangers of bullying and how it affects one’s self-esteem, she said.

She also handed out anti-bullying stickers.

“It made me feel really happy inside that other kids were hearing me tell them how bad bullying is because younger kids don’t understand how bad it could be,” she said.

“It could affect your self-confidence. It could hurt you. It could cause suicide when you’re older, and it could be really bad.” 

To work toward community-service hours, Isabella Castleberry volunteered at Jacob’s Ladder Therapeutic Riding Center last summer.

She scooped poop, brushed horses and cleaned stalls in addition to guiding children around the arena as they rode horses.

She also participated in a Special Olympics parade of athletes as the grand marshal last fall. She signed autographs and talked with children at the parade.

The event was hosted by the Valdosta-Lowndes County Parks and Recreation Authority.

Ava Castleberry said her daughter’s involvement in the pageant will assist her in learning new skills such as interviewing for a job and it helps her be a good role model.

With her new responsibility, Isabella Castleberry will make appearances, have photo shoots and continue her anti-bullying campaign at Valwood.

A reaction photo of her winning will be on the cover of the pageant’s magazine once her title is surrendered, according to the family.

“It’s going to be really sad giving away my title at the end of the year,” Isabella Castleberry said.

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Amanda Usher is a reporter at The Valdosta Daily Times. She can be contacted at 229-244-3400 ext.1274.