PELHAM – Much to her surprise, Pelham High School sophomore Addison Watts competed and placed in her first state pageant Nov. 3-4 in Montgomery.

Watts was named the second runner-up in the 2018 Miss Alabama Teen USA Pageant.

“I’m really shocked,” she said. “I’m surprised that I could do it.”

Watts said she decided to participate in the pageant at the suggestion of her makeup artist.

“I was doing a photo shoot and the makeup artist said that I should apply for the pageant,” she said. “I started getting my wardrobe together in January and started practicing my walk this past summer.”

To prepare for the pageant, Watts got a coach, Don Dye, to help her perfect her walk and interview skills. Watts said she also exercised and ate healthy.

“My coach was so helpful,” Watts said.

The only pageant experience Watts had prior to the Miss Alabama Teen pageant was participating in Pelham City Schools’ Day of Pageants during middle school. But Watts said more state pageants are in her future.

“It was so much fun and I made so many good friends,” she said. “I definitely want to do more. It helped me gain confidence in myself and it really helped my speaking skills. I encourage other girls to do it, too.”

Watts said she’s planning to participate in Pelham High School’s Miss PHS Pageant in January and the 2019 Miss Alabama Teen USA Pageant also.

She said she hopes pageants will be a stepping-stone to help her get into modeling.

“I think the skills I learned during the pageant will help me a lot with modeling and just in life in general,” Watts said.

Watts has participated in Birmingham Fashion Week and for Purseption, a company that sells purses.