Cleaves
Peoria was represented well this Labor Day weekend, September 2-5, 2022, in Indianapolis, IN at the National American Miss (N.A.M.) Pageant. This state event hosted young women from the states of Illinois and Indiana. This year N.A.M. celebrated its 20th anniversary. Their goal is to equip young women with life skills, tools, and confidence they need to be successful in life.
Two of our very own, Miss Karma Henderson and Miss Fae Cleaves, represented Illinois well, bringing home multiple awards in several different categories.
Miss Karma Henderson is the daughter of Mr. Freddie and Mrs. Elnora Henderson. And she is the daughter of guardians Mr. Cedrick Dockery and Ms. Maria Best. Miss Karma Henderson of Peoria participated in the Jr. Teen division for Illinois. Miss Karma is 16 years old and aspires to become a radiologist. She enjoys reading, crafts and photography. She desires to travel and study business and medicine abroad in Tokyo. Miss Karma brings home a first-place winner trophy in the category of Fun Fitness. She also won runner-up awards for Best Spirit and Spokesmodel. When asked about her experience, she says, “I liked the diversity of the girls involved and the different cultures they represented. My favorite contest was the formal wear. I liked meeting new people and making friends”.
Many supported Miss Karma in multiple ways in her journey to help make this pageant experience possible. Her family thanks sponsors: Ms. Maria Best, Wide Cast, Mrs. Sherry Gordon-Harris, Mr. Mike R., Ms. Angel Simmons, Mrs. Elnora Henderson, The Trap Beauty Bar, BeQute Boutique, Dime Piece Collection and more.
Cleaves
Miss Fae Cleaves is the daughter of Ms. Renee Cook and the late Mr. Elton Cleaves. Miss Fae Cleaves of East Peoria participated in the Teen division for Illinois. Miss Fae is 16 years old and aspires to become a speaker and a character designer. She enjoys writing poetry, performing spoken word, drawing, and painting her own artwork identified with her calling card signature, “Monee.” Miss Fae brings home runner-up awards in the categories of Talent, Spokesmodel, and Media Correspondent. When asked about her experience, she says, “My experience at N.A.M. was really fun. The people were amazing and very intelligent. There were a lot of them that had the same interest as me. I believe they can become leaders too. I am so glad I had the opportunity to be more social and meet more young ladies in my community that can also make a difference”.
Many supported Miss Fae Cleaves in multiple ways in her journey to help make this pageant experience possible. Her family thanks sponsors: Ms. Renee Cook, “The Squad,” Mrs. Sherry Gordon-Harris, and a host of other family members and friends.
Both young ladies were coached by Mrs. Sherry Gordon-Harris, Certified Etiquette Consultant, Pageant Coach, Owner, and Instructress of Royal Purpose School of Etiquette LLC. Their Pageant Coaching services included Etiquette topics: Walking and Sitting Gracefully, One-On-One Interviews, Talent Development and General Pageant Preparation.
Congratulations to both of these very deserving young ladies. Peoria’s got talent!
The Traveler Weekly 