Contagious community service

Brynleigh Shelton devotes her time to serving others and encouraging them to give back in her current role as Miss Parker County's Teen. 

Shelton began pageantry because she fell in love with it while watching her mother, Bridget Shelton, compete. Since beginning just last year, Shelton says she loves everything about what the Miss America Organization represents. Shelton said the pillars on the crown serve as a reminder of all of the opportunities she's had and what she loves about the organization: Service, Style, Scholarship, Success, and Sisterhood.  

One of the ways she lives out the pillars is through her service initiative.

“My service initiative is called the ‘Win-Win Initiative’ because whenever you get involved in your community, you're also gaining so many skills back, such as leadership, time management, and communication,” Shelton said. 

By being involved in pageantry and extracurriculars like varsity cheer, student council, National Honor Society (NHS), and being Future Farmers of America (FFA) chapter president at Gordon High School (GHS), Shelton devotes herself to “helping others find opportunity to serve too because I am just one person,” she said. “I could go to a food bank every day. I can go help out at a school every single day if I want. But I look at the bigger picture in making sure that we can give everybody these same opportunities [to help] because a lot of my opportunities are given to me through pageantry, and I know not everyone wants to do pageants to get involved.” 

Through her “just say yes” mentality, she has created a program called SEED, Serving Everyone Every Day, that gives anyone at GHS the opportunity to get involved in their community; she visited Peaster Elementary School to encourage students, share her initiative, and read students a book; she spoke at a Parker County Economic Development Council (PCEDC) meeting; and she attended the EmpowerHer Luncheon to hand out the Woman of the Year award – while maintaining the purpose of sharing her initiative and encouraging others to serve the community.

“I love everything that I get to do, especially whenever it all starts feeding back into one another,” said Shelton.

Shelton’s recent endeavor was the 2026 Miss Texas' Teen competition from June 20 to June 27 in Richardson, Texas. Stepping into the week, Shelton felt "Nervesited," she said. "I'm very excited because it's such a great opportunity, but a little nervous. But if you're not nervous, you don't care."

During the week, "We get to do all sorts of phases of competition just to show that we're well-rounded," said Shelton, including a private interview, health and fitness, talent, on-stage conversation, and evening gown.

Shelton did not make it to the top 12 of Miss Texas' Teen, but she is "very proud of her performance and honor to represent Parker County," said Bridget. As the competition concludes,

"She can't wait to get involved in the community and fulfill her duties this year," as Miss Parker County's Teen. "I love Parker County as a whole. There's such a great community from Aledo to Weatherford and all the cities in between." she said.