At the age of 4, Marlee-Kate Lee, fondly called “MK,” from Clarkesville, is heading to Little Rock, Arkansas, where she will compete for the National Title of “Miss Elementary of America Kindergarten Queen” against girls from all the states within the U.S.
Remarkably, it is not her first national title pageant. Currently, MK holds the title of “America’s International Miss National Princess.”
“She started pageants at the age of 2 locally,” Laura Lee, MK’s mom, explained. “I had no experience and knew little about beauty pageants.”
Laura says she quickly realized pageants were something MK enjoyed.
In 2023, MK won the 2023 Miss Mountain Laurel Wee Miss Queen and also, that year, the title of Ultimate Grand Supreme Chattahoochee Queen.
In the Peachstate Elementary of America Pageant, two girls are chosen to go to nationals in Little Rock, Arkansas. It will be the biggest pageant Marlee-Kate has participated in so far.
In the state pageant, MK competed in the pre-K division even though she will start pre-K in the fall of 2024. Contestants are judged on fun fashion, beauty walk, and an interview. During the interview stage of the pageant, individual contestants talk with the judges alone and are asked questions relatable to their age, explains Lee.
At the National Level, there will be a total of 20 girls competing in the kindergarten group, with MK being the youngest. The stakes are high. The winner takes home $10,000 in scholarships!
A family affair
Laura said through pageants, girls learn confidence, and how to handle life and peers. Positive perception is taught in so many different ways as well as grace and elegance.
Paul Lee, MK’s dad, plays an active role in helping his daughter do what she loves. “Paul is 100% the best pageant dad out there,” Laura laughed. “We make all of it a family affair.”
Laura does not hide the fact that pageants are a lot of work. From finding the right attire to hair and make-up as well as coaching, there is a great deal that goes into each pageant. Laura and Paul have learned to help MK with her nerves by distractions. Before going on stage, they watch videos and eat candy.
“We’ve taught MK to be supportive of her friends in the pageants. MK is genuinely happy when they win,” Laura said. “I am always amazed when she comes off stage and will tell me, ‘I forgot to smile’ or ‘I messed up on my walk.’ She evaluates herself and knows what she did right and what she can do better next time.”
MK’s favorite part
When asked what her favorite part of pageants is, MK laughed, “I get to play with my pageant friends all day and I get extra candy- my mom thinks it helps.”
In the pageant world, Laura emphasized that there will be wins and there will be losses. She says it is important for her daughter to know how to win and lose gracefully. Laura says she is very proud of how at such a young age, MK has learned to do just that.
“We’ve made so many friends because of the pageants,” Laura added. “They are all like family to us.”
In her spare time, Marlee-Kate enjoys everything about nature from catching frogs and lizards to butterflies.
The Little Rock, Arkansas, national competition will be held from June 27 to July 3.
MK’s best advice for someone who wants to enter pageants?
“Always try your best, smile big, and just have fun!’
