BUILDING CONFIDENCE BEYOND THE CROWNS

When Jacqueline and Jason Whipple set out to find an activity for their daughters, their primary goal was simple: to help them build self-confidence. In 2018, nine-year-old Ava was living with achondroplasia, while her four-year-old sister, Jessa, was navigating life with a complex form of spina bifida and using a wheelchair. Their adoptive parents searched for an inclusive environment where both young girls could actively participate and feel truly comfortable.

Jacqueline suggested entering beauty pageants, an idea that initially met with skepticism from Jason, who worried about the negative stereotypes often portrayed on television. However, he eventually agreed to give it a try. That first competition marked the beginning of a transformative journey. Over time, Ava and Jessa participated in roughly forty pageants, earning numerous awards for their creativity and outfits.

More importantly, the stage provided a space for genuine personal growth. Jessa, who had been quiet, began opening up and speaking more to adults and peers at events, while Ava developed a strong, comfortable stage presence. Beyond pageants, the sisters joined “A Chance to Dance,” a Charlotte-based program designed to give children with disabilities the platform to learn and perform. Pageant directors warmly welcomed them to compete alongside their peers without limitations.

For their parents, seeing the transformation was priceless. Jason, once hesitant, became one of their proudest supporters. While the crowns were tangible achievements to display at home, the true triumph was the enduring confidence both girls carried forward into their daily lives.