By Marilyn Miller
The 2026 Miss Louisiana Teen, Ava Martin, is no stranger to pageants. When she won her current title on Sunday, April 12 in Monroe, La., she already held the title for 14 pageants, including her “real” first, the 2018 Princess America Pageant (she won both State and National titles); the Miss Louisiana Teen Volunteer 2024 and Miss MHS “Darling” 2025.
So, what’s the attraction to pageant life? Scholarships are a big draw. Take Miss Louisiana 2025, Gabrelle McLeod, for instance, who has already banked over $38,000 in scholarships. What about Ava? What inspires her to impress judges in private interviews, on-stage Q&As, health and fitness, evening wear, and finally, talent? She did win a $5,000 scholarship as the new titleholder for the Miss Louisiana Teen 2026. The Health and Fitness award won her another $250 scholarship.
“The organization I am in now, the Miss America Pageant system, is the largest provider of scholarships to women in the world,” Ava said, agreeing that it is a big draw. In fact, when she enters Mississippi State University in the Fall, she will have a “full-ride” because of a new scholarship given by MSU to girls who win State titles. Alabama offers the same scholarship.
“I got a certificate in the mail with the scholarship. It was lovely,” Ava said, smiling. But it’s more than the money that attracts her. It’s the “doors that open – the opportunities, the camaraderie with the other girls.
“I know there is a stigma about pageants…like the girls are catty…rude…sabotaging each other (but she disagrees), so when you go into a pageant you have to be grounded and not compare yourself to anybody else. When you get to a State or National pageant, everybody is qualified, can be a great titleholder…it just depends on who the judges pick. It’s all subjective. You just have to surround yourself with the incredible girls and have fun.”
“You may not win, but you never lose,” Ava said, adding that the exposure to skills like dressing for life (job interviews), learning who you are, preparation for life…communication skills, and exposure to people in all walks of life (who can offer internships) is incredible.
Ava is now preparing for the Miss America’s Teen Pageant. She hopes she can continue to have the “peace and calm” she experienced in the State pageant, which she entered as winner of the Miss Union Parish Teen 2026 Pageant in July 2025. So, she had time to work with her coaches and directors to prepare for the State, and now National title (no date set). Her coaching team, out of south Florida, are “a great help.” Ashley Owen “has been wonderful, as has Onna Gallagher, who helps me with interviews.”
“I feel like I’ve been preparing for this pageant for four years,” the title-holder said.
Ava is in her last week of classes at Minden High School, which she dearly loves. Her Senior year has been packed with activity. She is captain of the Louisi-Annes, historian for the Student Council, and a member of the National Honor Society. She won the 2025 Webster Parish Fair Queen Pageant the day after she was crowned the MHS Homecoming Queen. She won the MHS Darling Pageant in February of 2025.
Her immediate future looks like prep for her brother Alex’s wedding, the end-of-the-year recital for Sydney’s School of Dance and writing another book. Alex Martin is a Junior at MSU. Her parents are Devin Martin, owner of Security Pro & 318 High Speed and Jodie Martin, owner of Geaux Fresh (and recent winner of Minden’s Woman of the Year Award).
“My family members are my biggest fans,” Ava said. “They have made so many sacrifices for me. They are my rock. And they are my biggest cheering squad.”
The Language of Movement by Ava Martin is a dance-inspired kids coloring book that combines mindfulness, movement, and emotional wellness to help children express their feelings and build confidence. This thought-provoking coloring book for kids uses dance-themed illustrations and gentle prompts to support social-emotional learning (SEL), creativity, and self-love.
Perfect for children who love dance, movement, and creative play, this book offers calming, screen free activities that promote emotional expression, confidence building, and mental health for kids aged 4-12. It is ideal for homes, classrooms, dance studios, or therapy settings. The 51-page coloring book is available for $6.50 on Amazon. The book is Ava’s Community Service Initiative, which is required of every teen entered into competition. She plans to travel across Louisiana, visiting schools and community organizations in all 64 parishes. She will demonstrate how her book supports emotional expression through movement.
As a member of the Gifted & Talented Program at MHS (Expanding Horizons), Ava was able to fly to Paris, France this year with some classmates and other students, led by MHS teacher and coach Wes Barnett. The group has made prior trips to Rome and Washington, D.C. Paris was her favorite, which is probably why one of her goals is studying abroad.
But if another of her long-term goals comes to fruition, expect to see her as the White House press secretary one day. Knowing Ava, she’ll make that happen!!