Kendra Leet, a 12-year-old Southwest Junior High seventh-grader, beat out 77 competitors for the National American Miss Kansas Pre-Teen title last month in Wichita.

Last month in Wichita, 12-year-old Kendra Leet beat out 77 competitors and gained her crown and the National American Miss Kansas Pre-Teen title.

“I was a little surprised when I won. I thought I did OK,” the Southwest Junior High seventh-grader said.

A little surprised?

“I was in shock, and I was crying,” she admitted.

“She couldn’t even walk,” said her mother, Teri.

In addition to the top prize, Kendra won best art project, the spokesmodel competition and Miss Personality, which is decided by pageant contestants.

She has competed in National American Miss pageants since 2004, so the experience helped her win last month. Her father, Frank, said competition has also helped Kendra move from a shy girl to a confident public speaker.

The organization emphasizes community service, self-confidence and personal goal setting. The pageant does not include swimsuit modeling.

Kendra will represent Kansas in the national pageant in Anaheim, Calif., in November.

As the titleholder she will also spend the next year performing community service and making appearances at events around Lawrence and the area.

When she grows up, she’s pondering becoming a special education teacher, a magazine designer or a veterinarian.

“I can’t really pick, but it doesn’t matter because I’m only 12,” Kendra said.