Kinley Shoemaker’s jaw drops as she finds out she is the 2023 Miss Indiana Teen USA.
Submitted photos by The Code Creatives.
Kinley Shoemaker has always been on stage, standing beneath bright, warm lights. From time in smaller, local pageants to singing with Franklin Community High School’s show choir program, Shoemaker knows what it’s like to put herself on display and break down the walls of her comfort zone down daily.
All this experience added up to her crowning moment on July 17 when Shoemaker won the title of 2023 Miss Indiana Teen USA.
Unexpected fun, unexpected win
The journey to the crown started over two years ago when Shoemaker was 16. She was looking for a new challenge, something she could fully immerse herself in. Her mom suggested going for Miss Indiana Teen USA, and at first, Shoemaker said she had the same reservations a lot of pageant contestants start out with.
From an outside view, the pageant world looks overwhelming. Young women dressed to the nines in sparkly dresses and coated in makeup. It can be confusing, Shoemaker said.
Thankfully, Shoemaker’s mom insisted that Shoemaker trust her, and she did.
“I’m so, so glad I listened,” she said. “It’s nothing like the stereotypes.”
Shoemaker’s crowning moment tied up her history with the competition with a sparkly, silver bow. After 18, contestants age out of the teen competition. This meant it was Shoemaker’s last chance at the title. After two years of receiving first runner-up, Shoemaker said she felt like it was her time to win. But, when the contestants are up there, they never know for sure.
“Judging is so subjective,” Shoemaker said. “You truly never know and it’s all about who they connect to the most.”
In fact, Shoemaker thought she lost her chance during the interview portion of the competition. In preparation for the Miss Indiana Teen USA competition, Shoemaker worked with a few experts in the industry, doing multiple practice interviews with her coach before the official day rolled around.
As Shoemaker’s ‘special fun fact,’ she said she is actually certified in the fundamentals of rap.
“I love to rap! I was just waiting for someone to ask me the question, ‘What is this about?’” Shoemaker laughed.
After explaining her love for the genre, the judges asked if she’d rap for them. Normally, she said she could give a few rhymes, but because of how nervous she was, her mind went blank.
“Oh my gosh, I remember feeling so disappointed in myself after my interview, but that actually just showed my personality,” Shoemaker said. “You don’t have to be perfect.”
After receiving her crown, Shoemaker said the judges actually said her slip-up made them love her even more; she looked human to them.
“It’s unfortunate but I think it goes back to the old days when you didn’t have any info about the contestants, it was just whoever the prettiest was. But let’s leave that idea behind!” Shoemaker said. “I met so many dedicated, impressive women. It’s so much more than being the prettiest up there. I think it’s something you need to witness and try yourself before making any judgments.”
The friends along the way
More than being proud to be the judges’ choice, Shoemaker also won the contestants’ choice award. Every contestant was given a ballot and told to pick who they personally wanted to win, and Shoemaker secured their glowing reviews, too.
“It’s always sad when someone is picked and everyone is like, ‘Oh, they’re not who they said they were, or they weren’t nice to people,’” Shoemaker said. “It was nice to know that everyone was happy with me.”
Through the program, Shoemaker has been able to meet icons in her dream career field of broadcast journalism. Her mentor and friend, Haley Jordan, was crowned as Miss Indiana USA on the same day. The pair do everything together, and Shoemaker said she was able to shadow Jordan at her former place of employment.
Most recently, the two visited Atlanta, Ga. to pick out their dresses for their national competitions coming up in the fall. While Shoemaker said she couldn’t reveal any details about her chosen gown, she gave a single hint; the dress represents the word elegant.
“It’s very elegant, unlike other dresses I’ve worn before,” Shoemaker said with a twinkle in her eye.
She also said she’s made lifelong friends, even finding her future roommate to room with on her next adventure: college.
The next steps
Shoemaker’s next stop is Butler University, where she’ll be studying sports media and journalism. She plans to learn more about sports journalism and also invest some of her time in learning about meteorology.
“I am obsessed with severe weather! I want to be a storm chaser,” Shoemaker said.
Though the official date for the Miss Teen USA pageant has not yet been announced, Shoemaker said she’ll be balancing her freshman year of college with training for the national competition.
“More than anything, I’m so excited to represent Indiana with grace and confidence,” she said. “Home is where the heart is, and my heart is here.”
