Hey beautiful, my name is Kiana Richards and I am this year’s Miss Capital City’s Teen. I am currently a 17-year-old senior at Timberline High School and a Running Start student through South Puget Sound Community College. After graduating this year, I plan on attending a 4-year college in Architecture and Dance. Currently, I am a dancer with Ballet Northwest in downtown Olympia, and the performing and visual arts have always been a big part of my life. I have been in choir, orchestra, and theater since 5th grade, and I love every moment of it. My oldest brother was in theater his whole life and inspired me to take part as well. Apart from him, I have three other older siblings, making me the youngest of 5 kids with an 18-year age gap between me and my oldest sister. At home, we have 2 Maine Coon cats, Stormy and Cloud, and 2 Yorkie pups, Kallie and Korky.

 

This year was the first pageant I have ever competed in; with lots of push from Emma Adams, Miss Washington’s Teen 2024. Emma and I have danced together for the past few years, and she has always talked wonders about the MTC program. At first, I started attending events to support her, but after a while, I found myself signed up for the pageant. I couldn’t be more grateful for Emma’s constant encouragement into this program, and I wouldn’t be here today without her.

 

My community service initiative is entitled Project Marigold: Supporting Suicide Loss Survivors. My oldest brother, Levi, took his life when I was 10 years old, and his death has had major consequences on my family. I not only want to raise awareness about the effects of suicide on families, but help support those struggling to reemerge into society after tragic loss. In partnership with @Liveeachmoment_art on Instagram, we are creating T-shirts that promote good mental health. A portion of each product will be used towards helping the prevention of suicide, and helping families struggling with the loss of a loved one due to suicide. Did you know that suicide is the 11th leading cause of death in America? With help from the community, we can prevent more suicides, helping families prolong their stories.