Amariyanna “Mari” Copeny, better known as Little Miss Flint, is coming for the Michigan crown.
On Tuesday, Copeny shared exciting news about being accepted into the 2022 Miss Michigan Teen USA competition.
“Something exciting for me is happening! I decided to apply to Miss Michigan Teen USA, and I was accepted to compete. I just hit the minimum age to compete. But to get there, I need your help. If I win, it’s a whole new platform to raise awareness about water,” she tweeted.
Something exciting for me is happening! I decided to apply to Miss Michigan Teen USA and I was accepted to compete. I just hit the minimum age to compete. But to get there I need your help. If I win it’s a whole new platform to raise awareness about waterhttps://t.co/035EIq6WdM pic.twitter.com/2dTcrSZjJz
— Mari Copeny (@LittleMissFlint) March 8, 2022
The screenshot of Copeny’s acceptance email from 2022 Miss Michigan USA and Miss Michigan Teen USA applauded her impressive application saying the 14-year-old has everything it takes to be a part of the competition.
“It appears you have everything it takes to be a brand ambassador for this organization. With that said – we are pleased to announce that you have been selected as a state contestant for the 2022 MISS MICHIGAN TEEN USA,” the organization wrote in the acceptance email.
Copeny started a GoFundMe asking followers for financial support for pageant necessities like a dress, registration and headshot fees.
“Due this week is the registration fee ($150), my dress deposit ($300), and headshot session (not sure on cost yet). Help make my dream come true to be able to compete on state level for Miss Michigan Teen USA,” she tweeted.
Due this week is the registration fee ($150), my dress deposit ($300), and headshot session (not sure on cost yet).
— Mari Copeny (@LittleMissFlint) March 8, 2022
Help make my dream come true to be able to compete on state level for Miss Michigan Teen USA. https://t.co/3r4ncqCflk https://t.co/EeDKmh27om
Her GoFundMe page has a goal of $4,000 and currently sits at over $1,300 donations. Sharing a heartfelt message on the donation page, Copeny explained why pageantry is the next step in her journey and what she plans to do with the remaining proceeds.
“What many don’t know about me is I started out doing pageants when I was little. When I was little, I had quite a few speech issues, so bad that I was teased about it and got to the point where I didn’t really want to talk. I was in speech from pre-school until the 6th grade. Pageants helped me find my voice and gain the confidence I needed to work through it. Pageants gave me the confidence and platform that ultimately led me to take care of my community,” Copeny wrote.
“It has been several years since I have stepped foot onto a pageant stage,” she added. “But I finally am old enough to compete in Miss Michigan Teen USA this year, so I applied. And I was accepted to compete in the upcoming pageant in May. But to get there, I will need some help covering pageant fees and related costs (dress, shoes, headshots, hotel, etc.). If I win, I will be one of the youngest ever to be crowned Miss Michigan Teen USA, not to mention the vast platform it will give me to spread even more awareness about toxic water across the country. Any leftover funds will be used towards my back-to-school drive.”
The 2022 Miss Michigan USA and Miss Michigan Teen USA will be held May 27-28, 2022, in the host city of Port Huron, Michigan.
