A first grader at Crenshaw Christian Academy has secured her place among the beauties at the National Miss Peanut Festival this October.

Seven-year-old Emma-Kate Jordan recently won the title of Little Miss Pike County and with it, a coveted spot in the Dothan event.

This young lady is already an “old pro” of sorts in pageants, having entered her first competition at the tender age of three. Emma-Kate went on to win her school division as a 4-K student and has participated in a variety of school and local pageants.  And now she has her eyes on a possible national title this fall.

“She really enjoys doing pageants—I guess you’d say she’s just a natural. She likes being in that spotlight,” says Emma-Kate’s mother, Carrmen Jordan.

The Pike County competition was the first in which Emma-Kate has participated that included a written and verbal component as well as the typical on-stage question. “And she won all three,” says her mom.

“I think what I was most proud of for Emma-Kate, was winning the written portion—to me, that says a lot about her school and how she’s advancing.”

And ultimately, Jordan says, it’s not about taking home the title.

“I have an older daughter who also competes, and our family tries to emphasize to our girls that it’s really about having fun and meeting new people. I can’t begin to name all the new friends we have made along the way,” she explains.

“I’ve told them no matter what—win or lose—enjoy it, congratulate the winners, and move on.”

She believes the self-confidence and poise her daughters develop from learning how to handle themselves on stage, in interviews and through the written word will only benefit them, no matter what career path they may pursue in the future.

“For them, it’s definitely about more than just winning a crown.”