First time's a charm for new Miss Cy-Fair

Kyndal Irwin is pictured in the center shortly after she was crowned Miss Cy-Fair on March 31. As part of her duties, Kyndal will spend the next year representing Cy-Fair at charity events, ribbon cuttings and community appearances.

Name: Kyndal Irwin

Age: 16

Occupation: Student

Fast Fact: Kyndal Irwin says winning the Miss Cy-Fair pageant means, "a lot more than having the right dress or the right walk; it's about the enthusiasm for making a difference."

Being crowned Miss Cy-Fair, Kyndal Irwin said, is an experience she will never forget.

"It was completely surreal," she said. "I was so excited. I felt so grateful. It taught me that, 'Hey Kyndal, whatever you want to do, if you have the passion, you can do it. I'll never forget that moment, that feeling of honest deserving achievement is something I will hold with me for the rest of my life."

This being her first pageant, Kyndal said she looked at the chance of winning as an extension of her volunteer work. "I do a lot of community service," she said. "I really wanted to get out and do something new. Challenge myself. It's not easy to up there and exemplify yourself."

Talked into competing by her good friend, former Miss Cy-Fair Mary Kate Baker, Kyndal says, "She is an awesome girl. I love her to death. She inspired me and said this is a lot of fun. My mom encouraged me too. She said if I put my mind to it, I could definitely achieve it."

Though the process was involved and competitive, with 16 contestants, the atmosphere was supportive. "First I had to fill out an application. Then the day of the pageant, you have to go through a very intricate interview one-on-one with each judge.

"There are seven judges, and they ask you questions like 'Why do you want to be Miss Cy-Fair?' and 'What are some things you do in your spare time?' After that, we headed back in the dressing room and came back in cocktail dresses.

"Then in front of the audience, we introduced ourselves to the judges and then we all changed again into an evening gown and that's kind of your last moment to get yourself out there. The judges select two finalists, and you get your last question.

"My final question was 'What does it mean to give back to your community?' I said, 'When I'm in a situation when I can be kind or be right, I must always choose to be kind. It's a God philosophy to live by. We must leave the world a better place."

Kyndal was selected for the crown on March 31.

She said that in addition to her new duties, she will continue her regular volunteer work, as well as her other favorite activities. "And I'm very passionate about the arts, theater acting, writing, I like finding a creative outlet and expressing myself.

"And I really, really like volunteering at the Houston Zoo. I'm a huge animal lover. Really, I've always had such a great passion for animals. I would like to become a zoo veterinarian and work at the Houston Zoo.  I'd like to be able to come home after work and say I just helped a tiger give birth."

"I think you need to like what you do to have a happy life, and everyone deserves to have a happy life."