Over the Fourth of July weekend, Ridgefield's Audrey Reid proudly represented Washington at the Miss Military Stars Nationals in Pennsylvania. While she didn't bring home the national crown, she returned with three impressive honors: the Me and My Hero Essay Contest Honoree Award, the Gold Level Service Award Medal, and the Academic Achievement Award for her division.

"I represented Washington the best I could in that moment, and I'm really proud of that," Audrey said.

Looking back, Audrey says the friendships she made were even more meaningful than the competition itself.

"The best part wasn't even the competition. It was the memories and friendships I made. Getting to meet people from so many different places and bond over the same experience was really special."

For Audrey, pageantry is about much more than wearing a crown. It requires dedication, travel, leadership, and a commitment to serving others. She currently holds three titles: Miss Teen Washington with United Crown of America, Miss Military Star Washington Jr. Teen, and Miss Teen La Center Princess.

Audrey moved to Ridgefield three years ago with her mother, Jillyn Outlaw, and her two older brothers, Hudson and Logan Reid. She first attended Wisdom Ridge Academy, where she excelled academically but had few opportunities to build friendships or become involved in extracurricular activities.

Everything changed when her mom encouraged her to compete in the Miss Teen La Center pageant.

Through pageantry, Audrey quickly connected with her community, met lifelong friends, and discovered a passion for volunteer service. During her first year alone, she completed 126 hours of community service.

She also excelled academically, earning and maintaining a 4.0 GPA over the past two years and being named Student of the Month in March 2025. Today, she is a sophomore at Ridgefield High School.

What stands out most about Audrey is her maturity. While pageantry is often associated with crowns, gowns, and competition, Audrey sees it as an opportunity to grow as a leader and make a difference in her community.

That commitment led her to apply for the City of Ridgefield Youth Commission. Selected through a competitive application process, Audrey served on the commission from October 2025 through June 2026.

"My favorite part was working with other students who wanted to make a positive difference in Ridgefield," she said. "I enjoyed learning how local government works behind the scenes and realizing that young people really can have a voice in our community."

Although the experience strengthened her appreciation for public service, Audrey's career goals lie elsewhere. She plans to attend Cascadia Technical Academy while completing high school, then continue her education to become a registered nurse before pursuing her dream of owning a medical spa as a nurse injector.

"No matter what career I choose, I hope to stay involved in serving my community through volunteering, leadership, and organizations that make a positive impact."

Whether she's representing Washington on a national stage, volunteering in her community, or encouraging other young people to get involved, Audrey is already proving that leadership isn't measured by a crown. It's measured by the difference you make.