Woodlands teen is state finalist for National American Miss Pageant, eyes national title

THE WOODLANDS, TX – Woodlands area high school student Genesis Mari Baez is preparing to represent at the upcoming National American Miss Pageant. As she delves into the second half of her junior year at Grand Oaks High School, she is also in training for the national finals that will take place at the Royal Sonestra Hotel in Houston on June 25.

The NAM is the largest such pageant in the country. The focus of this organization is to create future leaders and to equip them with real-world skills to make their dreams a reality. The program is based on inner beauty, as well as poise and presentation, and offers an ‘all-American spirit of fun for family and friends.’ Emphasis is placed on the importance of gaining self-confidence and learning new skills, such as good attitudes about competition, as well as setting and achieving personal goals.

This will be Baez’ first time competing in a pageant. However, this past summer she auditioned and was accepted into Barbizon school for modeling and acting, and recently graduated from there. Baez, who turns 17 this month, was recently named as a NAM State Finalist, propelling her to the nationals.

Baez and her family have lived in The Woodlands village of Panther Creek ever since 1993, and later on in Harpers Landing. She and her siblings have all been students in local schools, such as Sally K Ride Elementary, Knox Middle School and TWHS College Park. She attended the Primrose School for pre-kindergarten, then spent the next few years at Powell Elementary.

Genesis wants to not only gain valuable experience from interviewing and appearing on stage in front of an audience, but also the personal and professional development by entering this pageant. Her future goals and hopes are to one day become a successful runway fashion model and walk in New York's Fashion Week while attending her local university and earning a psychology degree.

“I’m looking forward to competing in four overall categories, including formal wear, modeling, personal introduction, interview, and a community service project,” she told Woodlands Online.

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