Grant’s Shyne Hickey shines on the big stage: Competes in International Miss Pageant

By Emmalee Parsley Stevens

Grant Tribune Sentinel

Shyne Hickey, daughter of Carlos Hickey and Sharla Hickey, competed in the International Miss Pageant in Greeley, CO from June 13 to June 17. Although this was Hickey’s first time competing in this particular pageant, she has been competing in them since she was six years old (now seventeen). She started pageants when her aunt, who also did pageants, invited her to the National American Miss.  She usually competes in one pageant a year, taking an “off-year” occasionally.

Hickey enjoys getting to meet so many people from all over the map, while still getting to be competitive. “I get to meet girls from all over the state and at Internationals, I was able to meet girls from all over the world,” she said. “I am still friends with girls who I met at my first pageant, and always making more each year,” she adds.

Through pageants, Hickey has learned many skills that she is able to apply in the real world. She learned public speaking skills, interviewing skills, and also how to represent herself with “poise and manner.” “Pageants have shaped me into the young woman I am, and I will continue to do them so I can grow into the woman I want to become and achieve my future goals,” says Hickey.

Pageants have allowed Hickey to create a platform. She created “Crowns for Courage” to represent veterans in need by funding the Perkins County Veterans Aid Fund. She was inspired to sart this platform by her Uncle Ed who served in the Navy and was a huge support in her life for everything she did including pageants. He has since passed due to health issues in 2022. However, Hickey plans to continue fundraising for the veterans aid program. “I would like to thank all my sponsors, and Jen Harger for making the fundraiser shirts. I also want to give a huge thanks to my mom for supporting my passion in pageants even when finances and time makes it tough. Thank you to all my friends, family, and community members who have encouraged me since my very first pageant,” said Hickey.