Simran Kohli is not the type of teen to sit back and watch the world go by. Not only is she involved in numerous academic honor societies, but the Hicksville High School junior also helped to create the school’s badminton club, and is a broadcast anchor on the school’s news show.
And when a friend suggested she enter a nationwide pageant, Kohli’s fearless attitude kicked in once again. Kohli was recently named first runner-up for Miss Teen India USA, a pageant that draws Indian-American contestants from all over the country.
The pageant included four areas of competition: talent, evening gown, Indian wear and a question and answer segment. During the talent portion of the evening, Kohli impressed judges by playing an Indian song on the violin, as well as giving a speech on women’s empowerment.
This was Kohli’s first time competing in a pageant, and she said one of the most surprising parts of the experience was how kind the contestants were.
“I had always heard the stereotype that pageant girls were mean, but this experience got rid of that notion. We all created a strong bond, and I made friends with girls from all over the country,” said Kohli.
Kohli said she would consider competing in the pageant again, to see if she could win the title. It was also a learning experience for the high school junior.
“As young women and girls in the society we live in, we need to be more confident and self-empowered,” said Kohli on her biggest takeaway from the pageant. “We shouldn’t be shy and we can go in with full confidence.”
