Most girls only dream of walking down the runway after winning a pageant, wearing a beautiful sequined crown. Many wish they had the courage to audition for the school musical and land a respectable role each time they try. Some teens desire a reputation for not only making great grades in school but also leading others with dignity, appeal and utmost composure as they serve their community.
One such teen seems to have all this glory and more — Lauren Boswell, a fifteen-year-old resident of Fishers. “I knew I wanted to be in pageants when I received my first post card in the mail in fourth grade,” said Lauren, who recently won the “USA National Miss” title on June 29th in Daytona Beach, Florida.
Although she has won four state titles in the last six years of competition, this represents her first national title. Prior to this feat, she won Miss Hoosier State Junior Teen. “My mom and I went into these pageants without knowing anything about them,” said Lauren, who will be a sophomore at Hamilton Southeastern High School, adding with a laugh, “She is my ‘momager’, and has stuck by me since the beginning. Together, we’ve learned a lot along the way.”
In talking with Lauren, she made it clear that pageants represent so much more than what people may stereotype them to symbolize. She said her favorite motto is, “It’s not how you wear the crown; it’s what you do with it.” She added, “Wearing the crown is not about beauty but rather helping others. It’s about being confident and helping others to become confident. It’s about bringing out the best in others.”
Lauren spends much time volunteering. Her chosen platform is breast cancer awareness, to which she feels emotionally tied because both of her grandmothers are breast cancer survivors. So far, she has helped raise $1,500 for the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure. She plans to create a new fundraising event titled, “Volley for the Cure” because she has a passion for playing volleyball and supporting breast cancer awareness. Last year, she played on the HSE freshman volleyball team, served as team captain and earned the MVP title.
“Pageants help with lifelong skills like interviewing and public speaking,” said Lauren, who credits these experiences with giving her the confidence needed to audition for school musicals the last three years. She tried out the first time in seventh grade and got the leading role as Adelaide in “Guys and Dolls.” Then, she made the spotlight for the next two years in school productions. She plans to audition again next spring as a sophomore.
After winning the USA National Miss title, Lauren is expected to make twenty appearances within the year. Already, she’s visited the Geist Blast on the Bridge wearing her crown, sash, and a genuine smile as she handed out ribbons supporting Susan G. Komen.
Someday, she hopes to compete in the Miss America Outstanding Teen for Indiana and the Miss Teen USA. She has a supportive family including her sister, Taylor, and parents, Kim and Justin Boswell.
Lauren asserted that, “These pageants help prepare girls to gain confidence, articulation, poise, and attention to academics, community involvement and volunteerism. I’ve made so many friends all over the country. These girls are not catty like you see in the movies. Everyone’s genuine. We’re all American and real.”
