A junior at Fort Payne High School, Anna is an active student and the current 2021 National Junior Miss for the International United Miss (IUM) Organization. Her platform “Flourish” focuses on helping young girls find the beauty within themselves. She has also created and designed her own website “I’m Undeniably Me” where she posts stories that correspond with her platform, “Flourish”, and includes information about the IUM, vlogs to document her reign, and interviews with other IUM queens. Check out her website here!
Anna’s IUM story started last year after being recommended by a fellow pageant queen and taking the title of Miss Southeast Junior Teen. Anna said, “She won the North Carolina Jr. Teen state title and encouraged me to come compete with her! Little did I know we would be international and national queens together!!! Shoutout to my good friend Allie, the 2021 IUM Junior Teen!”
Internationals is always a week to remember. The week is filled with so many activities, dinners, parties, and quality time with your #sisterbysash. Anna said her favorite part of the week was the “…the PJ party! My friend, Ayla, convinced her mom to sign up for the mom pageant and it was so funny! Allie, Ayla and myself coached her mom up to strut the runway and answer the question with grace. She ended up placing 2nd runner up and I will never forget that night!”
International vs. National Titles
Time to break down the difference between the IUM national and international titles.
Age divisions:
Princess – 5-7 years old
Jr. Preteen – 8-10 years old
Preteen – 11-13 years old
Jr. Teen – 14-16 years old
Teen – 17-19 years old
Miss – 20-24 years old
Ms. – 25 and up
International titles:
International United Miss Princess
International United Miss Jr. Preteen
International United Miss Preteen
International United Miss Jr. Teen
International United Miss Teen
International United Miss
International United Ms
National Titles:
National United Little Miss (Princess and Jr. Preteen age divisions)
National United Junior Miss (Preteen and Jr. Teen age divisions)
National United Miss (Teen, Miss, Ms. age divisions)
The Difference between the National and International Competitions
To compete for the international title, you have to be a state titleholder, but the national section of IUM is a second shot at reigning for the amazing system! Place as a runner up at your state pageant? Someone already has captured your state age division title? Did you win or place in an optional competition? Go national and compete with a regional or city title!
There is no difference between the national and international required competitions! Both groups will compete in gown, high fashion runway, interview, and introduction.
Overall Areas of Competition:
One on One Interview – 35%
Evening Gown – 20%
High Fashion Runway – 20%
Introduction – 15%
Community Involvement – 10%
The prize packages at IUM are incredible!! There are slight differences between the national and international prize packages, but overall, they are very similar! Check out what the IUM queens receive during their reign on the IUM website.
Anna’s IUM Experience
“This system is so special because when I think about IUM, I think about family. Ms. Krisann and Ms. Holly,” the international directors, “are two of the most amazing women on this planet. They want every girl to feel warm and welcome within this system and they do just that! IUM is what pageantry is all about; true sisterhood by empowering each other and always showing love and support no matter who you are!”
“My year has been absolutely INCREDIBLE!!! We recently had our Christmas Washington D.C. trip and it was so fun!! I am so grateful to be blessed with an amazing group of sisters queens and loving directors who make it all possible!”
The national queens are gifted with a Disney weekend trip, D.C. weekend trip, spring trip, an invitation to the 6 day, 5 night all-inclusive Vacation to a Tropical Destination, and a newly added fifth trip! During the trips (excluding the all-inclusive vacation for national queens), accommodations, food and activities are all FULLY paid for by the international directors!
To the girls who are considering competing in NUM, Anna says “first off, I am so excited to meet all of you!! I’m so happy you chose IUM!! When internationals roll around, remember to have fun and relax! Always know that you are you and that is your power!”
Written: January 2022