Royal Spotlight: Erica Carnegie, Miss National American Teen and Collegiate Ambassador 2019-2020

Photo Credit: Abiding Light Photography

The Royal Spotlight is an interview series where I highlight queens from a variety of pageant systems. Kicking off 2020, I have the pleasure of featuring Erica Carnegie, Miss National American Teen and Collegiate Ambassador 2019-2020.

Tell us about yourself.

My name is Erica Carnegie, and I am a 17 year old 12^th grade student who is dual-enrolled as a full-time college sophomore. I am very involved in community service and volunteer with multiple organizations, some since second grade. Currently, I serve as a Teen Ambassador for the American Cancer Society and am the first National Youth Ambassador for The Aneurysm and AVM Foundation. I am an Arterior Venous Malformation (AVM) survivor, a rare genetic disorder that affects less than one percent of the population, so advocating for research funding and sharing my story to help others is very important to me.

I am a classically trained pianist who performs at recitals, special events and have won state and national talent competition titles. Dancing is one of my passions — I am trained in tap, jazz, lyrical and ballet — and I teach ballet and tap to young children.

When did you start competing in pageants?

My family members are huge pageant fans, so I have always watched pageants. In Spring 2016, I saw a flyer for the County Fair Queen Pageant and asked my Mom if I could enter. She said yes! I competed, won all the divisional awards, and was crowned the winner! That started my pageant journey, and I am still competing today!

Why do you compete in pageants?

Pageantry is a sisterhood, and I have made so many friends across the country. In my three years of competing, I have met strong, intelligent, talented, ambitious young ladies, and we support and encourage each other to be our best. I compete in pageants because I enjoy being on stage, performing my talent, public speaking, working to improve in all areas, and of course, making new friends and widening my social circle.

How many titles have you won?

I have won Miss County Fair, Miss Sunburst Christmas, Miss Jacksonville Cinderella Teen, Junior Miss of Florida, Supreme Winner – Teen Miss Florida Coastal, Miss Teen Nation Nationals, and Miss National American Teen and Collegiate Ambassador.

Tell us about the Miss National American Tee and Collegiate pageant system.

I am the reigning Miss National American Teen and Collegiate Ambassador with the National American Teen and Collegiate Pageant system based in Jacksonville, Florida. The pageant is open to contestants ages 4 through 26 across the USA and all US territories.

Pageant Instagram: @nationalamericanteenpageant

Website: www.nationalamericanteen.com

What have you learned about yourself through your pageant experience?

Through pageantry, I have learned that I can get focused, stay focused and do anything. With my first pageant I was very nervous competing against contestants who had years of experience, while I didn’t have any pageant experience. However, this propelled me to work and practice harder, and I won the competition. From this experience, I learned to never doubt myself, but just work harder and do whatever I set my mind to. Since then, I have become more confident on stage, a better public speaker, and am comfortable in any situation.

What are your future plans for your pageant career?

I plan on competing in the Miss American system with piano as my talent. I would also like to compete in the Miss USA system for the opportunity to compete for the title of Miss Teen USA and later, Miss Universe!

What words of advice do you live by?

My mother always tells me to never give up and always remain true to yourself. If you fall down nine times, then get up ten times. If you set a goal, work hard to achieve it and never give up. Always be the best version of yourself.

Please provide your contact information so that others can reach out to you. Email? Social media handles?

Instagram: @ericacarnegie2.0

Instagram: @nationalamericanambassador