More Than a Pageant: How Battle Ground Students Created Hope for Hospitalized Children

There are moments when you walk away reminded that young people truly can change the world.

For us at the Chelsea Hicks Foundation, one of those moments happened on May 20th at Battle Ground High School during the Mr. & Ms. Battle Ground Pageant.

It all started with a visit to Christy Dunn’s leadership class. I had the opportunity to share the story behind Chelsea’s Closet and the work we do to bring therapeutic dress up and play to children and families facing serious illness. It was late spring, and like many schools, the students already had countless activities, deadlines, and end-of-year events already underway.

But something clicked that day.

Almost immediately, Adrionna McClellan saw an opportunity. Each year, the school’s Mr. & Ms. Battle Ground Pageant chooses a person, family, or cause to support through the event. After learning about Chelsea’s Closet, Adrionna recognized the larger impact the pageant could have by supporting children and families facing serious illness not just locally, but through the many hospitals, nonprofit partners, and families reached through the Chelsea Hicks Foundation. What started as a school tradition suddenly became part of something much bigger, helping create moments of joy, imagination, and comfort for children during some of the hardest days of their lives.

And from there, things were set into motion.

Adrionna worked tirelessly to help bring the May 20th event to life alongside an incredible team of supporters, students, staff, and contestants. They could have chosen the easy route. They could have simply completed the event as another school activity. But instead, they chose to pour their hearts into creating something meaningful for others.

Six remarkable students stepped forward, each willing to put themselves out there, not for recognition, but to help bring joy and comfort to children and families facing incredibly difficult medical journeys.

The pageant itself was filled with energy, creativity, and heart. Throughout the evening, contestants competed in multiple portions including On Stage Question, Sleepwear, Beachwear, Casual Wear, Talent, Evening Wear, and a special on stage moment featuring an inspirational teacher each contestant personally chose to honor.

Each portion gave the audience a chance to see not only the students’ personalities and talents, but also the confidence, humor, kindness, and courage they brought to the stage. From meaningful teacher tributes to musical performances, dancing, and unforgettable moments of creativity, the evening became so much more than a competition. It became a celebration of community, leadership, and young people using their voices and talents to make a difference.

Every contestant brought something unique to the stage.

Carlos Sanchez, a soccer player and member of the advanced culinary program, had the audience captivated during the talent portion with his unforgettable watermelon eating skills.

Noel Bernier, captain of the soccer team and president of National Honor Society, brought confidence, charisma, and kindness to every phase of the competition, especially dazzling the audience during evening wear.

Hunter Messer, part of the auto program, impressed the crowd during the talent competition with his rendition of Napoleon Dynamite dance skills and his willingness to fully embrace the moment on stage.

Zander Crawford, headed to George Fox University as a music major, kept the audience smiling throughout the evening while also delivering a beautiful guitar and vocal performance that showcased both his talent and heart.

Karoline Loose, a volleyball player, head drum major for BGHS, vice president of NHS, and dedicated volunteer, radiated grace and confidence in a stunning burgundy evening gown while continuously showing the genuine heart she has for serving others.

Susanna Coker, involved in both drama club and band, shined in every moment she stepped onto the stage. Her warmth, personality, and compassion were impossible to miss.

By the end of the evening, two students would earn the titles of Mr. and Ms. Battle Ground.

The crowns went to Karoline Loose as Ms. Battle Ground and Noel Bernier as Mr. Battle Ground.

But truthfully, what stood out most that night was not simply who won.

It was the heart behind every part of the event.

From the students who organized it, to the contestants willing to step outside their comfort zones, to the teachers, families, staff, and audience members who showed up to support the cause, every person played a role in making the evening meaningful.

At the Chelsea Hicks Foundation, we deeply value young people because time and time again, they show us compassion, leadership, courage, and a willingness to serve others in extraordinary ways.

This incredible group of students reminded us all that the future is incredibly bright, and that even one school event can create a ripple effect of joy and hope for children and families facing some of life’s hardest moments.