Aria Christensen, an 18-year-old from Lane County, is set to begin her first year studying business administration at the University of Oregon. However, her studies might take a back seat as she aims to become Miss America’s Teen.

Christensen’s Journey to Miss America’s Teen

Christensen, who was diagnosed with bipolar disorder at age 14, got into pageants by chance this year. She was practicing her back handsprings at her local gym when a spectator suggested she should give pageants a shot. Two competitions later, she’s Miss Lane County’s Teen and Miss Oregon’s Teen.

Christensen will be living at home next year and is aiming to take three online classes in her first term so that she can balance her pageant work with schooling. The core of her community service for her pageants has been destigmatizing and raising awareness around bipolar disorder.

Mental Health Awareness

Christensen’s slogan is ‘a diagnosis does not define.’ Through her community service, she’s worked with the National Alliance on Mental Illness and raised more than $1,000 in a week for the alliance. She’s also a trained presenter through the National Alliance on Mental Illness, where she speaks at schools across Oregon.

Christensen said that although pageants can contribute to negative mental health experiences for some contestants, her time competing has been deeply positive. She’s developed a sisterhood, frequently talking with this year’s Miss Oregon, Allyssa Defillipo.

To manage her own mental health, Christensen journals every morning and keeps a ‘dopamine menu,’ which consists of a list of activities she can turn to when she feels low. As she prepares for the Miss America’s Teen pageants, Christensen has her weeks mapped out with interview practice, walking rehearsals, talent runs, and scheduled time for her dopamine menu.

Original reporting: Homepage – Lookout Eugene-Springfield — read the source article.