Rincon’s Lainie Barrow wins USA National Preteen 2026 on first try

SAVANNAH, Ga. (WTOC) - Lainie Barrow went to Atlanta expecting a fun week with friends. Instead, the 11-year-old left with the title of USA National Preteen 2026.

Barrow was crowned at the USA National Miss National Pageant, a scholarship pageant that recognizes young women for academics, leadership and community service. It was her first national pageant.

“I was so shocked. I was not expecting at all to win. I really couldn’t believe it,” Barrow said.

The Ebenezer Middle School student will spend the next year as an ambassador, representing her platform, Lainie’s Wild Hearts. Through her “Be Kind, Grow Good” kits, Barrow encourages people to care for nature. The kits include bee-shaped seed paper that can be planted in the community.

Barrow said her platform grew out of a second-grade reading of “The Giving Tree.” “I realized how much we have taken from nature, and how we need to give back to it,” she said.

Barrow balances her title with cheerleading, band, 4-H and Beta Club, with help from her “momager” and a calendar at home. She said pageants can be nerve-racking, but encourages others to try.

“Everyone in pageants is so nice, and they’re not going to judge you. Everyone started somewhere,” she said. “You’re never going to be 100% ready. You just have to do it.”

Barrow hopes to continue competing and one day become Miss America. She also wants people to know pageant winners don’t have to be perfect.

“I really just want people to know that you don’t have to be perfect to fit in,” she said. “You just have to be yourself, and really, that’s all.”

Her final message was simple: Be authentically you.