Freshman Scarlette Mullenger stood on the stage, anxiously awaiting as Miss Teen Poway is about to be announced. First, they called the second runner-up, Miss Poway Princess, Hailey Ingstad, and then the first runner-up, Miss Poway Princess Presley Smith. When Mullenger then heard her name announced as the 2025 Miss Teen Poway, she said she couldn’t even believe they called her name, and it had not sunk in that she won.
“I was nervous. I didn’t think I was going to win because all of the other girls have done the pageant before, so I thought I was going to lose after they called second, but I was really surprised when they called my name,” she said..
In the weeks before the competition, contestants spent hours preparing. They attended classes, and learned how to walk in heels, how to execute an interview, how to make a résuméand also how to do makeup for competition.
When selecting their Miss Poway, Miss Teen Poway, and Miss Junior Teen Poway, Director Alyssa Soto and Co-Director Estela Latifzadeh look for qualities beyond beauty as it is an academic-based scholarship pageant. They look for a young woman who embodies reliability and will represent the City of Poway well, according to Soto.
The day before the pageant, the girls participated in interviews, which were worth half of their 100-point score.
During the interview, judges, who are made up of community leaders, business professionals, former pageant title holders, and industry experts, ask about their resume, volunteer work, and their aspirations for when they are older.
At the actual pageant, contestants had to give a speech about an object special to them..
Mullenger brought in her dirtbike helmet, showcasing her love for dirt biking. Then they answered their stage questions.
At the end of the pageant, contestants walk out first in their black dresses than ball gowns. Through all this, Mullenger impressed the judges.
¨What truly set Scarlette apart was her consistency and her ability to show up as the best version of herself each day. She demonstrated tremendous effort, maturity, and authenticity, making a lasting impression on the judges. Scarlette’s commitment to being fully prepared, paired with her natural charisma and professionalism, made her the standout choice for Miss Teen Poway,¨ Miss Poway Scholarship Pageant Director Alyssa Soto said.
Soto said Scarlette was an exceptional candidate who was amazing across all areas. She thinks she is ready to represent Poway with poise and dedication.
Mullenger has had no prior pageant experience and originally just joined because her mom wanted her to.
Outside of being Miss Teen Poway, Mullenger is a cheerleader for Poway Elite Cheer, a non-affiliated competitive cheer program. She also plans on joining Poway High’s varsity cheer team for the 2025-26 season as well as continuing to ride dirt bikes.
Avery Woodland has been a teammate of Mullenger since 2023 and has grown a tight sister-like bond. They decided they wanted to do the Miss Poway pageant together. Throughout the entire experience, they encouraged and offered advice to one another. Woodland is now a Miss Junior Teen Poway princess.
¨She’s just a bright person, and I feel like she deserves that title. She’s kind to younger people like me. She’s a great role model,¨ Woodland said.
Academically, Mullenger enjoys reading, doing her school work, and keeping up good grades.
With this new title comes new responsibilities. She will be attending numerous events throughout Poway and all of San Diego, like the Poway Rodeo, as well as taking part in volunteer work.
Mullenger gets to meet lots of new people, like community officials and the mayor.
She is excited for the new year at Miss Teen Poway and hopes she can encourage lots of other young women in her community to chase their dreams.
