Houston High School sophomore Maddie Oldham recently took home the crown at the Miss Mid-South Fair Miss Teen Volunteer Pageant, securing her spot in the upcoming Miss. Tennessee Teen Volunteer competition this summer. Competing on a whim, Maddie and her family knew little about the pageant world going in, but her love for performance and mentorship helped her shine on stage.
Maddie, a competitive dancer with Dance Dynamics, has spent over a decade mastering various dance styles. When she’s not training or competing, Maddie is dedicated to mentoring younger dancers, offering guidance, support, and calming techniques she’s learned from her own experiences. Her platform, Me & You - Mentoring to Empower Youth, focuses on being a support system for young students, helping them navigate challenges like anxiety and building confidence.
A new, and unexpected influence in Maddie’s journey has been Houston High School alum Lydia Waldrop, a seasoned pageant participant who won the adult version of the Miss Mid-South Fair Miss Volunteer Pageant last month. Lydia, now competing for Miss Tennessee Volunteer, helped guide Maddie through the pageant process. Despite just meeting through the pageant, their connection has grown, and Lydia has shown Maddie the ropes, offering invaluable support as she, too, prepares for the next stage of competition.
"Seeing how much I could help the younger students will be inspiring, and I’m excited to take that further as I represent Miss Mid South Teen Volunteer," Maddie shared. If you or your classroom or civic group would like to connect with Maddie for a visit or storybook read aloud, please reach out to us.