• May 22, 2018

    USCHS senior to compete for Miss Teen America title

    Krisha Monpara Upper St. Clair High School senior Krisha Monpara, the reigning Miss Pennsylvania Teen America, will compete in the 2018 Miss Teen America pageant July 17-21, 2018, in San Antonio, Texas.

    The competition is comprised of four distinct categories: an interview, fun fashion modeling, physical fitness and evening gown.

    According to her mom, Rekha Monpara, Krisha decided to compete for the title of Miss Pennsylvania Teen America to counter moments of inadequacy she felt throughout her life — times where she felt that she didn’t and couldn’t ever fit into the mold of what it means to be an American.

    “Throughout her life she heard comments like, ‘Oh wow you’re really pretty for an Indian,’ or ‘For an Indian your house doesn’t smell at all,’” Rekha said. “While she used to let those moments define her as an outsider, she learned that the color of one’s skin only holds whatever power we, as a society, give to it. This mindset should apply to any minority that exists — to any group that feels isolated because of their differences. With this mindset, she hopes to serve as a model for others, not only as Miss Pennsylvania Teen America, but also as Miss Teen America.”

    Krisha serves as captain of the Upper St. Clair girls’ tennis team and Speech & Debate Team. She is also the treasurer of the school’s Future Business Leaders of America and the National Honors Society. In addition, she serves on the board of student council, as a leader of Kids Helping Kids, and as a chairperson for the school’s 2018 MiniTHON, which recently raised more than $40,000 to battle childhood cancer.

    This fall Krisha will attend the University of Michigan where she plans to pursue an economics degree on the pre-med track.