Devon Carter's path to a crown started early. At 6 years old she watched older girls compete in the Miss Wisconsin Rapids program from a side balcony at the Performing Arts Center, and for five years she took part herself as a Cranberry Cutie in the organization's annual event.
On Oct. 24, in her third year of competing, Carter earned her first title in the program: Miss Wisconsin Rapids' Teen 2027. She said each year of competition helped her grow, especially in confidence, public speaking and performing on stage in front of an audience.
Contestants spent a couple of months preparing, building skills, rehearsing talents and getting ready for an interview with a panel of judges. Carter said her favorite part of the preparation was meeting weekly with her friends and watching everyone gain confidence and skill.
Her community service initiative is called "Move Your Body, Transform Your Life," drawn from her own years in sports and her view of both the benefits of staying active and the costs of not being active. Over the next year she plans to partner with her gym, FIRE Fitness Boot Camp, to run kids camps once or twice a month, with fitness rotations and games meant to give children fun, simple ways to stay active.
Carter has already begun official appearances, including Halloween dances at the South Wood County YMCA and the Boys & Girls Club of the Wisconsin Rapids Area and a visit to Grant Elementary School alongside Miss Wisconsin Rapids 2027 Addison Morin. She said she is most looking forward to parade season, something she pictured often during her Cranberry Cutie years.
