For Ellie Breaux, 2023 has delivered a Bachelor’s degree in marketing from the University of North Texas and the title of Miss Texas.
Breaux was crowned Miss Texas 2023 at the Charles W. Eisemann Center for Performing Arts in Richardson on July 1.
“I still can’t believe this is real life. I am constantly having to look at myself in the mirror to be sure I’m not dreaming,” read the Houston native’s first Instagram post as Miss Texas.
Breaux competed as Miss Tarrant County in the annual pageant that brought together 57 women between the ages of 18 and 28 from various locations across the state.
Along with earning scholarship money for college, Breaux won $20,000 and will represent Texas at next year’s Miss America contest.
It was not Breaux’s first time competing for the Miss Texas crown, having been named second runner-up while in college.
At this year’s Miss Texas pageant, Breaux showed her exceptional talent and presence in a dance and rhythmic gymnastics routine.
@elliebreaux My passion❤️ #misstexas #missamerica #fyp #trend #solodance #talent #rhythmicgymnast
As a member of the University of North Texas dance team, Breaux had a strong support system cheering her on as she ran through her choreography set to Lady Gaga’s “Hold My Hand.”
“We’re so proud of your perseverance and determination to never give up on your dreams! You are going to be the most gracious, vivacious, and fierce @MissAmericaTX and we will be cheering you on all the way to Miss America!!” read a Twitter post from the team.
Breaux ran for Miss Texas on the platform “Cops in the Community,” which aims to bridge the gap between police officers and those they serve.
“I am hoping to unify Texas. My dad’s a police officer, my uncle’s a police officer, my cousin’s a police officer — I come from a family of law enforcement, and there’s such a miscommunication between police officers and their communities and I’m really trying to bridge that gap so we can unify Texas and ultimately unify America,” she said after the pageant, according to NBC 5 DFW.
The first runner-up in the Miss Texas competition was Madison Matlock, a Dallas resident and graduate of Texas A&M and Southern Methodist University. She ran representing DeWitt County and took home a cash prize of $10,000.