by: Samantha Neidlinger/ Staff writer
Ella Morris at a photoshoot. Photo by Noblesville Photography
Junior Ella Morris here at NPHS has expressed her love for pageants and competing and showing off her dragon pride, as she’s a female wrestler here at NPHS.
Her journey first started off as signing up for a pageant “for fun” last year; she didn’t expect it to become such a defining experience. A wrestling tournament out of state kept her from competing at the time, but the interest never faded.
“I’ve always wanted to do it, so I just searched for them online and I found one and I decided to go for it,” Morris said.
Her motivation goes far beyond the stage.
“I learned that with Miss America Organization, they have a community service initiative, and it’s really important to me to be able to spread awareness about children and their mental health,” Morris explained.
For Morris, pageants are not just about appearance or performance—they are a platform to make a difference in the community and help others. Even as someone new to competing, she embraced the challenge with a mix of excitement and nerves.
“I had a lot of mixed emotions because I’ve obviously never competed before. Just knowing that I don’t have a lot of time to prepare for missing Indiana, but I know that like, I’ve competed a lot through the year and I have a lot of experience, a lot of friends, and a lot of people that are going to support me,” Morris said.
The support from friends and mentors helped ease her anxieties and fueled her determination to succeed.
One of the most unique aspects of her participation is her talent: wrestling.
“Most people do dancing or singing, but mine’s a little bit different, I throw a dummy around and all the judges seem to like it,” Morris said.
Her unconventional choice not only sets her apart but also reflects her confidence and willingness to embrace individuality.
Pageants have shaped her in ways she didn’t anticipate.
“Pageants have given me a lot more confidence. It’s easier to have a conversation with somebody, also just, like being able to think of things on the spot,” Morris said.
Through the experience, she has grown more expressive, self-assured, and capable of thinking on her feet skills that extend far beyond the competition.
She also hopes to challenge misconceptions about pageants.
“A lot of people just think that doing pageants is putting on a lot of makeup and wearing dresses, but there’s so much more to that,” she said.
Beyond the glamour, she participates in community service events around Indianapolis, “starting Fire Families First, which aids children of injured firefighters” Her work highlights that pageants are about leadership, service, and giving back as much as performance and presentation.
Looking ahead, she hopes to continue using the platform to serve her community while pursuing bigger titles. Representing Indianapolis has been rewarding, and she dreams of one day competing at the state and national level. Through it all, she has discovered new strengths, formed meaningful connections, and found a version of herself she truly admires.
“I am Miss Collegiate Indy’s teen, and I love all the people that I met and make connections with. They have all taught me a lot about myself. I’ve been better able to express myself. I feel like I have a better sense of confidence, and just found another version of myself that I really love,” Morris said.
