East Elementary student shocked by pageant win

Eight-year-old Destinee Brazelton of Fairfield Twp. won first place Nov. 7 in the Junior Pre-Teen Cincinnati competition. She also was named Miss Photogenic.

Staff photo by Samantha Grier Eight-year-old Destinee Brazelton of Fairfield Twp. won first place Nov. 7 in the Junior Pre-Teen Cincinnati competition. She also was named Miss Photogenic.

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By Michael D. Pitman, Staff Writer 10:03 AM Tuesday, November 17, 2009

Destinee Brazelton said she wasn’t nervous when she won the Miss Junior Pre-Teen Cincinnati pageant earlier this month.

But when her name was announced as the winner of her age group, her jaw dropped and she had her hands on her cheeks. Her mother, Mae Brazelton, said her daughter was frozen in shock for a few moments before accepting her crown.

Destinee, 8, was anonymously recommended to participate in the Cincinnati pageant conducted Nov. 7. She said she wanted to participate because, “I wanted to make friends and I thought a pageant would be fun.”

Destinee did meet two new Fairfield friends through the competition — Courtney Kraus and Allison Boyer, both North Elementary students.

The East Elementary third-grader, who also won Miss Photogenic, said the experience was what she thought it would be.

“When I won that pageant, I was like, ‘How did I do that? ’” Destinee said. “I was practicing, but I didn’t practice that much.”

Destinee will represent Cincinnati at the Cities of America National Competition set to take place next month in Orlando, Fla.

Brazelton said she believes the recommendation came after Destinee participated in an acting camp in July.

Destinee said her grandmother, Velma French, gave her a lot of support and encouragement. Also family friend and University of Cincinnati student Lauren Brown, who used to compete in pageants, helped Destinee prepare for the pageant. Destinee dedicated her win to Brown.

Winning the pageant, Destinee said is likely the first of many pageants for her. But her mom said they’ll talk about it.

“We didn’t have any high expectations, but it’s always a hopeful thought,” Brazelton said.

In order to win in Orlando, she said she will have to practice a lot and do the assignments, but also “be on my best behavior.”

“Judges will be all around,” she said.

Anyone interested in sponsoring Destinee should call (800) 569-2487.

Contact this reporter at (513) 755-5112 or mpitman@coxohio.com.

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