By Marisa Dawson, Courtesy Photos

A Bennington High School student is taking her passion for community service and children’s literacy to a national stage after earning a new title and an opportunity to make an even greater impact.

Addysen Oreskovich was crowned Royalty USA Junior Teen 2026–2027 on Sept. 27 during the national competition at the North Charleston Convention Center in North Charleston, South Carolina. Competing against delegates from across the country, Oreskovich earned the national title through a competition that included a panel interview, evening gown, fun fashion and on-stage statement, along with several optional competitions.

For Oreskovich, hearing her name announced as the winner was a moment filled with emotion and gratitude.

“The moment they called my name was honestly surreal! I remember feeling so many emotions all at once—excitement, disbelief, and overwhelming gratitude. I had worked so hard for that moment, but what made it even more special was realizing that I had just been given an incredible opportunity to make a difference on a national level,” she said.

The Royalty USA organization centers its mission around RISE: Reach, Inspire, Serve and Empower. Those values encourage titleholders to become leaders in their communities through service, personal development and meaningful connections with others.

Of the four pillars, Oreskovich said service is the one that resonates most with her.

“I’ve been involved in volunteering from a young age, whether that’s ringing bells for the Salvation Army, serving at the Open Door Mission, or encouraging children through my literacy initiatives,” she said. “One thing I’ve learned is that you don’t have to do something huge to make a difference. Sometimes the smallest acts of kindness leave the biggest impact.”

That commitment to serving others is already evident in Oreskovich’s involvement in the Bennington community. In addition to her literacy initiatives, she has participated in author readings at the library and hosted princess and prince tea parties for local children, creating opportunities to connect with young readers and bring a little extra magic to their community.

Her love of reading inspired her to write her children’s book, Bella’s Midwest Adventure, and launch an initiative to get the book into libraries across all 50 states. The project has continued to grow, giving children in communities throughout the country an opportunity to enjoy a story written by a fellow youth.

But Oreskovich’s literacy efforts are about more than simply encouraging children to read. She hopes to use the power of books to provide comfort and happiness to children facing difficult circumstances, particularly those spending time in hospitals.

Having experienced significant medical challenges herself, Oreskovich understands how important encouragement and hope can be during difficult times. At just three months old, she underwent emergency surgery, leaving her with a four-inch scar on her abdomen.

As she grew older, that experience became the inspiration behind her advocacy platform, Marked with Meaning, which encourages children to embrace their scars and recognize that the things that make them different can also be part of what makes them special.

“I’ve learned that our challenges don’t have to define us, but they can help shape the way we choose to impact others,” she said.

Now, she hopes to extend that message to children across the country through her books. One of her primary goals during her year as Royalty USA Junior Teen is to publish the children’s books she is currently working on and make them available in the gift shops of at least 10 children’s hospitals nationwide. She also plans to donate 30% of the proceeds from book sales to children’s hospitals.

“I want children who are going through difficult medical experiences to have something that brings them happiness, even if it’s just for a few minutes,” she said. “I hope that when children open one of my books, they can forget about their worries for a little while, use their imaginations, and simply enjoy being kids. Because sometimes a little joy can make a really big difference.”

The mission is especially meaningful given her own family’s experience navigating medical challenges when she was an infant. Although she doesn’t remember those early experiences herself, she grew up understanding what her family went through and how frightening it can be when a child is hospitalized.

Oreskovich said she is particularly excited about the opportunity to visit children’s hospitals during her travels and find ways to share her books with young patients.

Beyond her advocacy work, her new national title will take her to communities throughout the United States for service projects, speaking engagements and public appearances. Her prize package also includes scholarship money, gifts, sponsorships and trips to Hilton Head Island, Hawaii, New York and Orlando.

The competition itself presented a unique challenge. Oreskovich has been recovering from torn ACL surgery, making one of the pageant’s physical components particularly difficult.

“I think the most challenging part was learning to trust myself and everything I had worked so hard to prepare for. I have been working through a torn ACL surgery so walking in heels was super tough. It was definitely a huge obstacle to overcome,” she said. “I learned that confidence doesn’t mean you aren’t nervous. It means believing in yourself enough to keep going even when you are still learning to walk on heels again.”

It is a lesson she hopes to carry with her throughout her year of service, along with the opportunity to meet new people, build friendships and encourage other young people to find ways to make a difference in their own communities.

For Oreskovich, the crown represents far more than a competition win.

“Winning the Royalty USA National Title is so much more than wearing a crown and sash. It represents an incredible opportunity to inspire others, create meaningful change, and use my voice to make a difference,” she said in the organization’s announcement. “I believe that leadership isn’t about the title you hold, but what you choose to do with it. This opportunity reminds me that no matter your age, you are never too young to make an impact.”

With a national platform, a growing literacy initiative and plans to bring encouragement to children facing medical challenges, Oreskovich is looking forward to making the most of the opportunity.

Her personal motto captures that sense of purpose: “If not now, then when?”

And as she begins her year representing Royalty USA Junior Teen, she hopes to show that making a difference doesn’t require waiting for the perfect moment, sometimes it simply starts with choosing to serve.