Team Maine Takes on Nationals: The Week We Laughed Until We Cried, Cheered Until We Lost Our Voices, and Made Memories We'll Never Forget

MASP
7 days ago
5 min read

July 21–26, 2026 | USA Ambassador National Pageant

You know those weeks that feel like they lasted five minutes...and somehow also changed you forever?

That was Nationals!

For six incredible days, our Maine Academic Scholarship Pageant titleholders traded lobster rolls and pine trees for palm trees and paradise at the beautiful Margaritaville Resort in Kissimmee, where they proudly represented Maine at the USA Ambassador National Pageant.

And let me tell you...It wasn't just about crowns, but then again, it never is.

It was about confidence.

Friendships.

Growing up.

Trying something scary.

Laughing until your stomach hurt.

Cheering so loudly your voice disappeared.

And realizing that sometimes the biggest wins don't come with a trophy.

If you've ever wondered what pageantry is really about...come along for the ride.

Long Before Florida

Sure, everyone saw the suitcases.

The matching jackets.

The sparkly gowns.

The state costumes.

The airport selfies.

But what most people didn't see were the months leading up to that first flight.

The community service projects.

The appearances.

The interview practice.

The sponsorship letters.

The paperwork.

The fundraising.

The late-night "Does this hem look straight?" conversations.

The platform planning.

The moments these girls chose to step outside their comfort zones over and over again.

By the time Team Maine landed in Florida, they'd already won. They all had become stronger versions of themselves.

Nationals was simply where they got to celebrate that journey.

The Fambassador Family

There's a reason people call it the Fambassador Family. Within hours, girls from all over the country—who had been complete strangers that morning—were suddenly swapping gifts, taking selfies, cheering each other on, sharing snacks, learning dances, and acting like they'd known each other for years.

Some friendships picked right back up from last summer.
Others started at the Welcome Fiesta.
Some happened backstage while waiting to compete.
Others began convincing parents to join TikTok dances at the Pinkalicious Awards Party (because honestly...why should the contestants have all the fun?).

And somewhere between all the glitter, laughter, and dance challenges, everyone realized something special.

Pageantry isn't about outscoring the girl standing next to you.

It's about becoming someone you couldn't imagine being six months ago—and helping the girls beside you become that person too.

Maine Showed Up...the Maine Way

Can we just brag on our girls for a minute? Because WOW! Our queens held doors, helped zip gowns, cheered for girls from every state, comforted nervous contestants, celebrated complete strangers and represented our little corner of the country with humility, confidence, authenticity, and a whole lot of heart.

That's what makes us most proud. Not the crowns.

The character.

The Moments You Won’t Find on a Scoresheet

Sure...there were interviews, opening numbers, everyday wear, runway, photo shoots, evening gowns, state costumes, talent competitions, fitness wear, looooong rehearsals, parties and all the excitement that comes with competing for a national title.

But, ask anyone who's been to Nationals what they'll remember most...It won't be the score sheets.

It'll be...

The unexpected road trip from Maine to Florida.

Practicing opening number while dancing fruits played on the hotel TV.

The false fire alarm turning into an impromptu dance party.

The eyelash mustaches that somehow became hilarious at midnight.

The hotel hallway conversations that lasted way too late.

The inside jokes that make absolutely no sense to anyone else.

Watching one of your sister queens hear her name called...

...and sprinting across the entire hotel just to celebrate with her.

Those are the moments you can't win. They're the moments you keep forever.

Always Write Your Own Story

One of our favorite things about Team Maine is that no two journeys looked the same. Some girls walked onto the national stage for the very first time, others returned with a

little more confidence than last year. Some accomplished goals they'd been dreaming about for months and some learned lessons they never expected. Some of them discovered confidence they didn't know they had, but every single one came home different than when they left.

Bringing Home the Bling is Pretty Cool Too, Though!

Okay...can we just have a proud director moment?

Because Team Maine absolutely SHINED.

Our contestants brought home national titles, runner-up finishes, fitness awards, runway awards, community service awards, supermodel awards, people's choice awards, photogenic awards, scholarships and enough hardware that TSA probably had questions on the flight home.

Watching our girls walk across that national stage was one thing...watching them hear their names called over and over again? That was emotional – like ugly cry emotional! Every award, every trophy, every sash, every title, and every special award represents months of hard work, hours of practice, community service, fundraising, interviews, and believing in themselves—even on the days it wasn't easy.

Please join us in celebrating our incredible Team Maine!

Lilliana

Princess Preliminary Gown Winner

Princess Divisional 2nd Runner-Up

SLICC Service Award

Harper

2026 SLICC 1-Star Ambassador National Winner

Jr. Preteen Divisional 2nd Runner-Up

Jr. Preteen Resume Winner

Jr. Preteen Fitness 1st Runner-Up

Jr. Preteen State Costume 1st Runner-Up

SLICC Service Award

Audrina

SLICC Service Award

Brenlee

Preteen Natural Photogenic 1st Runner-Up

SLICC Service Award

Piper

Preteen Divisional 1st Runner-Up

Preteen Fitness Winner

Preteen People's Choice Winner

Preteen Talent 1st Runner-Up

Preteen Runway 2nd Runner-Up

SLICC Service Award

Isla

SLICC Service Award

Natalie

Teen Divisional 3rd Runner-Up

SLICC Service Award

Brielle

Teen Divisional 4th Runner-Up

SLICC Service Award

Savannah

2026 USA Ambassador Teen

Teen Fitness Winner

Teen Runway 1st Runner-Up

SLICC Service Award

Savanna

SLICC Service Award

Madelyn

2026 Overall Supermodel Winner

2026 SLICC 3 Supermodel Winner

Miss Runway Winner

Miss Fitness Winner

Miss Divisional 1st Runner-Up

SLICC Service Award

Jenn

Ms. Divisional 3rd Runner-Up

Ms. Community Service Winner

SLICC Service Award

Melissa

Mrs. Divisional 2nd Runner-Up

Mrs. Spokesmodel 1st Runner-Up

Female Entrepreneur Award

SLICC Service Award

Lisa

Elite Community Service Winner

Elite Social Media Influencer Winner

Elite Divisional 2nd Runner-Up

Passion for Progress Award

SLICC Service Award

It Takes a Village...

People see the contestant shining on stage, but behind every contestant is an entire team of supporters who help to get them ready for a national competition:

Parents who stayed up late sewing.

Families who fundraised.

Sponsors who believed.

Directors who coached.

Volunteers who gave their time.

Photographers.

Hair stylists.

Makeup artists.

National staff.

Friends.

Grandparents.

Everyone who said,

"I believe in you."

Thank you.

You helped make this week possible.

Until Next Time...

When everyone unpacked their suitcases back home...they also unpacked confidence, new friendships, thousands of photos, inside jokes, dreams for next year and probably way too much candy from the gift exchanges!

Most importantly, they unpacked memories that will last forever.

Nationals only lasts one week, but what happens there stays with these girls for a lifetime.

Could You Be Part of Team Maine?

Every year someone watches Nationals from home thinking...

"I wish that could be me."

Maybe next year...It can.

If you're looking for a pageant that's about more than crowns...one that values leadership, academics, service, confidence, sisterhood, and becoming the very best version of yourself...