Lilli Custard, a bright and spirited second grader, recently earned the prestigious title of Miss Nevada Elementary America 2nd Grade 2024. Winning this title over Labor Day weekend of 2023, Lilli not only showcased her exceptional poise and talent but also clinched the best interview award in the state pageant. Reflecting on her victory, Lilli shared, “I felt really excited and I couldn’t wait to see who was going to be called next.”
One key element that made Lilli’s interview stand out was her lively personality and the heartfelt story about her international pen pal from Indonesia. “They asked me about my international pen pal who lives in a mud hut, and I thought it was made out of actual mud,” she recalled with a laugh. Her ability to be loud and show lots of personality undoubtedly left a lasting impression on the judges.
Lilli’s platform, BRAVE (Building Respect and Values for Everyone), focuses on anti-bullying. She passionately explained her choice: “I want to let the world know that you should treat other people the way you want to be treated because everyone wants to be treated good and to feel good.” This message inspired her to create “Be BRAVE with Lilli” worksheets, which she distributed locally and sent overseas with Operation Christmas Child. “I made coloring sheets and worksheets like what you should say when someone else is bullying your friend,” Lilli said, hoping to spread memorable life lessons.
Her involvement with Operation Christmas Child came from a suggestion by her mother. “My mom found it somewhere, and I was excited to put stuff in there that I thought they would like a lot,” Lilli explained. She has also volunteered with the Salvation Army and participated in several charity walks, driven by a strong sense of giving back. “I think the world deserves to have what they need, so I hope people raise money like that, and I go to charity walks to spread awareness,” she said.
Balancing school, pageants, and volunteer activities is no small feat for Lilli. She manages it by selecting activities that are meaningful and enjoyable for her. “I balance it by doing the right pageants that I think will be fun for me, the right schoolwork that I think is perfect, and the right volunteer things,” she shared.
For other young children wanting to make a difference, Lilli’s advice is simple: “Follow your heart and do what feels right for you.” Her favorite school subject is math, where she enjoys learning new things, multiplying, and dividing. Outside of her pageant work, Lilli loves riding her bike with her cousins and has fond memories of being on a softball team.
Looking ahead, Lilli aims to continue being a good sport and inspiring others. Her most memorable pageant moment was seeing her best friend Caroline, a sixth-grader, also win a state title. “My favorite moment was when my friend Caroline, who has been my best friend from the first day of the state pageant, was called to be the winner,” she recalled with joy.
To further spread her message of BRAVE and anti-bullying, Lilli plans to make a video for her online school, ensuring everyone can hear her important message.
Winning the pageant has brought her closer to her sister queens and friends, which she finds most rewarding.
Lilli looks up to Jesus as her role model, believing He is the best example of goodness. As she continues her journey, Lilli is committed to making a positive impact and spreading kindness wherever she goes.
Lilli emphasizes the importance of standing up against bullying, advising readers, “You should always stand up and say something when your friends or someone you love gets bullied.” Looking to the future, Lilli is eager to continue her pageant journey, setting her sights on participating again when she reaches junior high with the hope of winning a Jeep.
In addition to her recent title, Lilli has participated in three other pageants. “Once I did a Cinderella pageant. My second one was a Regency International one, and I got third runner-up,” she shared. Her third pageant was a nonprofit event organized by her coach Abby, where she won the title of Miss Equity Reigns. This pageant supports kids who want to participate in pageants but may not have the financial means, further showcasing Lilli’s dedication to inclusivity and support for her peers.
Lilli’s journey is a testament to her determination, compassion, and vibrant spirit. As she continues to inspire those around her, it’s clear that this young queen is making a significant impact in her community and beyond.
