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Senior citizen makes pageant history.
Marissa Teijo defied ageism in the Miss Texas USA pageant. At 71, she's the oldest contestant yet. Let's applaud her courage and the new inclusive rules that made her participation possible.
Published June 24, 2024 at 10:31am by Alexis Simmerman
71-year-old Makes History at Miss Texas USA Pageant
Marissa Teijo, 71, made history as the oldest contestant in the Miss Texas USA pageant over the weekend. Though she didn't win, Teijo said competing against 100 other women motivated her to chase her dreams, and that it's never too late.
"I feel that all women now have a new stage of opportunity, strength and beauty," she said.
The Miss Universe organization has lifted rules to be more inclusive, removing age limits and allowing contestants to be married, pregnant, or divorced. Teijo is represented by Bazaar Models, an agency that prides itself on diversity.
"I represent women of all shapes, ages and races. As I prepare my team to compete at Miss Texas, I’m thrilled to support these women who inspire me as a leader every day."
-- Jackie Garcia-Martinez, CEO of Bazaar Models
The pageant, a preliminary to Miss USA, was held at the Hilton Post Oak Hotel in Houston. Aarieanna Ware was crowned Miss Texas USA and will represent Texas in the Miss USA competition on August 4 in Hollywood, California.
Texas has produced the most Miss USA winners, with 10 queens taking the national title.
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Read more: 71-year-old might not have won Miss Texas USA, but she still made history