Opinion| ‘Miss Prairie View is the most executive club at Prairie View.’

“Miss Prairie View is the most executive club at Prairie View.” – Chelsee B.H. Young, Miss Prairie View A&M University 2009

When I reflect on my time as Miss Prairie View A&M University, I’m reminded not just of the honor of wearing the crown but of the deeper calling that came with it. It was more than a title. It was a platform to serve, to grow, and to represent something far greater than myself. It gave me a space to live with purpose at an elevated level I never imagined possible.

To be honest, I wasn’t a “pageant girl.” Like many of the incredible women who’ve held the title, I didn’t grow up in gowns and sashes. I was a student-athlete and a dedicated psychology major, involved in the Association of Black Psychologists, the Psychology Club, and inducted into Psi Chi Honor Society. I was passionate about service and deeply involved in my campus community, but pageantry was a world away.

That said, I “do” love pageantry. I love the production, the costumes, and the development process leading up to the competition. I love the creativity, the performance, and the space it gives women to be bold, confident, and fully themselves. To me, pageantry is like a visual résumé, a place to tell your story and showcase your values, not just your appearance.

What many people don’t realize, especially those who’ve never competed, is that modern pageantry, particularly over the past 30 years, is not about physicality. You are not judged on your physical traits you can’t change. You are judged on how you carry yourself under pressure, how you think, how you lead, and how well you fit the demands of the role. It is a fair competition for the best applicant for the job.

Still, I didn’t dream of the spotlight. But I believed in Prairie View, in its legacy, and in the power of representation. A friend encouraged me to attend the interest meeting, and something clicked. I realized this role was about more than appearances. It was about voice, vision, and visibility.

Back then, to officially run, you had to collect 100 student signatures. When I reached that milestone, it felt like the first sign that others saw something in me, even before I fully saw it in myself. I paid my entry fee, became an official contestant, and stepped into the most transformative experience of my undergraduate years.

But let me confess something. I didn’t know how to walk in heels! At all. I was even terrified someone would find out. That was one of the hardest parts of the whole process for me. So, I practiced around the clock, privately, and I was determined to carry myself with grace on stage. And funny enough, after the pageant, I walked in heels for years with ease. That moment of learning, of stretching beyond my comfort zone, became symbolic of the whole experience. I didn’t need to be perfect. I just needed to be willing.

Under the guidance of Ms. Denise Simmons, a steady and fair advisor, we were held to a high standard. I competed in the full pageant, including swimsuit, evening gown, interview, and talent. For my talent, I performed a dramatic monologue titled Sisters Stop Hating, drawing from my theater background in high school. With support from Dr. Michael McFrazier at the time, I refined my performance and was honored to win Best Talent. I also won Miss Congeniality, a fun nod to the “nicest person” award I once received in high school.

When I was crowned Miss Prairie View, I knew it wasn’t just a personal victory. It was a call to serve, to elevate, and to represent the University’s most sacred traditions. Miss Prairie View is, in my view, the most executive title on campus. You are selected not just for your poise and presentation but for your intellect, integrity, and the impact you are capable of making.

I have always admired the women who held the title before me, those who led during historical transitions, those who persevered through the pandemic, and those like Dr. Ruth J. Simmons, our first *and only* honorary Miss Prairie View, who embody excellence in every way. These women are storytellers, change-makers, and cultural curators.

If I could change one thing, I wish I had the chance to run for Miss Texas. Prairie View’s role in Black history and womanhood in Texas deserves greater visibility, and I believe that one of the most powerful ways to elevate that story is through representation on the state and national stage. While pageantry has its critiques, I also believe in reclaiming space, redefining narratives, and allowing women to lead the way.

Today, as a proud third-generation PVAMU graduate, I carry this experience with me everywhere I go. It shaped me into a more confident, compassionate, and committed version of myself. And one day, I hope my daughter, whether she wears a crown or not, feels empowered, intelligent, and beautiful enough to lead in her own way. Even though I would LOVE for her to be Miss Prairie View, too!

Being Miss Prairie View was not about perfection. It was about presence. And I am forever honored to have been present for the University, the legacy, and the generations who will follow.

Chelsee H. Young ’10 ‘15 currently serves as assistant director of the Honors Program at Prairie View A&M University.

Click here to watch this year’s 2025 Mister & Miss PVAMU Scholarship Pageant, which debuts at 7 p.m. on April 22.