When Dia Kearney heard her name announced as the new Miss Kansas Teen USA, the surprise on her face said it all.
The 18-year-old Wichita Heights High School graduate and class valedictorian captured the state title Sunday in Wichita, winning only the second pageant she has ever entered. She will now represent Kansas at the Miss Teen USA competition in Florida this August.
For Kearney, the victory marks another milestone in a journey that began with a simple social media post.
Her pageant career started when local pageant director Denise Colborn spotted a photo of Kearney on her mother’s Facebook page and reached out to ask whether she would be interested in competing in the Miss ICT Teen pageant.
What seemed like an unexpected opportunity quickly became a life-changing experience.
Kearney entered the Miss ICT Teen competition and won, earning the opportunity to advance to the Miss Kansas Teen USA pageant. On Sunday, she won that title as well.
Two pageants. Two crowns.
According to her mother, through pageantry, “Dia has gained confidence, lifelong friendships and a powerful voice she never knew she possessed.”
Kearney, a Wichita native, is the daughter of Caress and Steve Kearney and the youngest of three children. The family attends Tabernacle Bible Church.
As Miss Kansas Teen USA, Kearney will use her platform, Healing Through Hospitality, to encourage kindness, connection and community support.
Her platform is built on the belief that hospitality should be accessible to everyone and that creating welcoming spaces should never be limited to those who can afford it. She hopes to inspire others to recognize the healing power that genuine kindness, inclusion and support can bring to individuals and communities.
Beyond pageantry, Kearney has distinguished herself in the classroom. The 19-year-old graduated this spring from Wichita Heights as the class valedictorian. She plans to pursue a degree in business administration with the goal of one day owning and operating her own business.
She also has a passion for history and proudly describes herself as a “tea nerd,” enjoying the study of teas, traditions and cultures from around the world.
Kearney’s victory comes during a memorable weekend for Wichita.
One day earlier, fellow Wichita resident Ta’Lyiah Lewis was crowned Miss Kansas’ Teen through the Miss America organization. That state competition was held in Pratt. While the two young women earned similar titles, they will compete in different national pageant systems.
The Miss America organization includes a talent competition and places a strong emphasis on scholarships and community service. The Miss USA organization focuses on interviews, evening gown and activewear competitions and does not include a talent portion.
Both young women will represent Kansas on national stages this summer, giving Wichita a rare moment of pride.
For Kearney, however, the journey remains deeply personal.
“It started with someone seeing potential in her,” her family says. Now, Kearney hopes to use her title to help others discover their own.
