The 18-year-old contestant from New Haven, who rocks her natural afro hair, looks flabbergasted and elated when her name is announced as the winner of the beauty pageant competition.
- Apr 30, 2019
AceShowbiz - Meet the new Miss Teen USA! Kaliegh Garris of New Haven, who represents Connecticut, won the 2019 edition of the beauty pageant competition, which was held at the Grand Sierra Resort in Reno, Nevada on April 28.
The 18-year-old model edged out 50 other contestants to become the 37th Miss Teen USA, taking over the crown from Miss Teen USA 2018 Hailey Colborn of Kansas. Kaliegh is also the second entrant from Connecticut to have won the pageant competition, following Logan West who was named Miss Teen USA 2012.
Kaliegh was in the top two along with Caitlyn Vogel of North Dakota, who ended up as the runner-up. The competitive dancer, who aspires to become a trauma nurse, looked in complete shock when she was announced as the winner. She couldn't stop screaming and her hands were shaking when she made her first walk as Miss Teen USA 2019.
Kaliegh embraced her natural beauty, sporting her natural afro hair throughout the competition. Olivia Herbert of Minnesota won Miss Congeniality, with Erica Yvette Bonilla of Nevada placing third, Kaylee Brooke McCollum of Mississippi finishing in the fourth place, and Kalin Burt of Alabama rounding out the top five.
In a statement released after her win, Kaliegh credited her "support system" for what she has reached so far. "During the contest you know you have self-doubt because there are so many great people. I am just happy, proud, and grateful for the support system I have," she said.
Per the Miss Universe Organization, she is a dual enrolled student at Joseph A. Foran High School in Milford, Connecticut and the ACES Educational Center for the Arts in New Haven, where she studies theatre. She has been trained in contemporary, jazz, pointe, hip hop, and tap dance.
Kaliegh founded We Are People 1st movement which assists people with disabilities in honor of her older sister who has multiple disabilities. She began the movement to educate youth how to respectfully speak to people with a health issue or disability after seeing the need for it throughout my lifetime. She has also been a camp counselor for the New Haven Parks and Recreation Eco Camps.
After graduating high school, Garris plans to attend Southern Connecticut State University's nursing program to one day work as a trauma nurse.
