Q&A with local teen, Brynleigh Shelton
Story by Barbara Vinson | Photos courtesy of Bridget Shelton
Local PK teen, Brynleigh Shelton. Brynleigh was recently crowned Miss Denton’s Teen and will compete in the Miss Texas Teen Pageant this summer.
Brynleigh Shelton’s grandmother calls her “Busy Bee,” and it’s easy to see why.
Brynleigh recently was crowned Miss Denton’s Teen, and she will compete in the Miss Texas Teen Pageant (a Miss America affiliate) this summer. Her parents are Bridget and Bric Shelton, and when asked how they manage to keep up with their daughter, Bridget Shelton laughed and said, “You need good shoes.”
Brynleigh’s parents are incredibly proud of all she does, but said they are most proud of her giving spirit and her faith. They said it isn’t easy for their daughter to prioritize all her activities, but added she’s learning that no one can be in two places at once.
In March 2021, the Shelton family moved to PK from Fort Worth, where they were lifelong residents, when Bridget Shelton got the opportunity to become the general manager at Lush Resort at Possum Kingdom Lake with their good friends Bo and G Bennett. This was an opportunity the family couldn’t pass up, and they said they couldn’t be happier with the leap of faith they took to move to PK. Brynleigh’s mom and dad are happy to report that their daughter has thrived in a smaller school environment, first at Palo Pinto Elementary and now in the Gordon school district.
PK Magazine recently sat down with Brynleigh to ask this busy bee a few questions.
What’s life like a small town?
Living in a small town has been a great change for me. Growing up in Fort Worth was an awesome experience, but getting to be this involved in our community and making wonderful relationships is incredible. Life is better at the lake!
What’s next in the pageant world?
I will represent the city of Denton at Miss Teen Texas this summer. It takes place in Richardson in June, and I will compete against 47 other teens from across the state. This is my first title, so I’m looking forward to meeting all the competitors and having a great time.
What’s your pageant platform, and why?
My community service initiative is “Bryn’s Win-Win,” which encourages teens to get involved in their community by showing how it benefits both the community and their lives. By being involved in their community, teens will learn life skills such as leadership, work ethic and time management, and maybe learn what career path may interest them.
How do you enjoy your free time, hobbies and interests?
I have been involved in dance since I was 2 years old. I also love to watch sporting events with my friends or watch my friends play, especially when our Gordon Longhorns win! I also love to wake surf at PK, but anything that involves a lake, pool or beach sounds great to me.
In what activities do you participate?
I recently was accepted into National Honor Society. I’m also a poultry judge, creed speaker and vice president for our FFA chapter. I also make appearances as Miss Denton’s Teen. I got to ride in the Dallas Holiday Parade, where I did my version of the “pageant wave” to more than 500,000 people! I also got to read books to second-graders at a school in Dallas, as well as introduce my dance team at the Crazy Water Fashion Show in Mineral Wells.
What future goals are you working toward?
At the beginning of this year, I passed the TSI test (Texas Success Initiative), which is a college readiness exam. That allows me to take dual-credit classes and hopefully graduate from high school with an associate degree.
What subjects, current events or causes are you passionate about?
Besides my community service initiative, I’m also passionate about Go Red for Women (the American Heart Association’s signature women’s initiative). Many people don’t realize that heart disease, not breast cancer, is the leading cause of death of women in the United States.
How do you unwind after a busy day?
Playing with Daisy Rey, my beautiful (and crazy) 2-year-old puppy! Or I pop in my headphones and dance.
If you could visit one place in the world, where would it be, and why?
If I could visit anywhere, I would love to visit Tuscany, Italy, because of the amazing views, the beautiful flowers, and the five-course meals they can eat while managing to stay healthy.
What book or movie left a lasting impression on you?
“The Hard Hat” by Jon Gordon was a book I read in my leadership class last semester. I learned about so many things that I can apply to my daily life.
What are some interesting facts about you?
My graduating class at Gordon High School has only 17 students in it. I love baking, and algebra is my favorite subject. I have my Greenhand degree, which is awarded to high school FFA members who demonstrate basic knowledge and understanding of the organization, its creed, and the principles of agriculture. Essentially, it’s a foundational step for further achievement within FFA. I have a straight As and am enrolling in a welding course for high school.
What social issue will have the greatest impact on your generation, and why?
I believe that social media and handheld technology has affected my generation in many ways. There are so many great conveniences we can enjoy, but we must be careful that we don’t lose sight of face-to-face interactions and healthy boundaries.
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At the end of the conversation, Brynleigh was asked to name three items on her “bucket list” for the next five years. She said she would love to graduate as valedictorian in 2029, visit the Italian countryside in Tuscany and throw out the first pitch at a Texas Rangers baseball game. No one should doubt that she will do all she can to accomplish those things and much more, which means her parents will need to stock up on good shoes.
Brynleigh is a poultry judge, creed speaker and vice president for her FFA chapter.
Brynleigh serves as a cheerleader for her school and loves cheering on her Gordon Longhorns, she’s also been involved in dance since she was two years old.
