California Miss Amazing representative wants to inspire others

LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- When the Special Olympics World Games comes to Los Angeles in July, so will the Miss Amazing pageant.

Miss Amazing is a pageant for girls and women with disabilities to help build confidence and self-esteem.

Representing California in her age group is 21-year-old Krystina Kingston. She was crowned California Miss Amazing five months ago.

"I was a little surprised. I'm like, 'Wow, I'm one of the queens' and I didn't know that," Kingston said.

Now, Kingston heads to the national Miss Amazing pageant happening at the Freud Playhouse at UCLA on July 28. She'll take the stage with 100 contestants from 30 different states.

"Everything is relative to the young ladies' own abilities. If she is doing everything she can to challenge herself in her life and just become a better version of herself, that's the person that we're looking for," explained Karen Stagliano, the California Miss Amazing pageant director.

Kingston said she is a little nervous, but she knows she can do it.

"I know that it's not about the winning. It's about being yourself and having confidence and being an inspiration to others and just having a good time, having fun," Kingston said.

Stagliano said parents have told her that the pageant changed their children's opinions of themselves.

Kingston works at the EXCEED Activity Center for intellectually and physically challenged individuals in Perris.

She said some tasks are harder than others, but she learns quickly.

"It's a good place for me to be, teaches me how to get a job out in the community," Kingston said.

When she's not working, she's just like any other young woman.

"I love to have fun, I love to sing, dance, write poetry. I'm a poet. I like to read," she said. "On weekends, I will go to the mall, spend time with my boyfriend, spend time with my friends."

And although the Miss Amazing contestants are not judged on their appearance, Kingston is excited about her pageant gown.

"It's a beautiful white gown. It's strapless and it has a nice design in front and it has a trail in the back," she described. "It makes me look sunshiny, and happy and bright. I know when I walk on that stage, I could just say I'm confidence."

To get more information about the Miss Amazing pageant, visit www.la2015.org/miss-amazing-pageant.

For more information about the Special Olympics World Games, visit abc7.com/specialolympics.