Lexi Schuchert

In a little over two months, Spirit Lake High School freshman Alexandria "Lexi" Schuchert will be onstage speaking, modeling and interviewing to the best of her ability in front of hundreds of people.

This July, Lexi, daughter of Chad and Jennifer Schuchert, will travel with her family to the windy city of Chicago to compete in the Miss Teen International Pageant.

"I love to try new things," the 14-year-old said when asked why she was interested in pageants, "so I sent in an application and photo, and they called me back for an interview."

The platform: reaching out to help

Lexi earned the title of Miss Teen Iowa International based on her interview and platform, an area highly emphasized by pageant officials.

"I'm speaking out for teenage girls struggling to respect themselves," she explained. "I've already lost a lot of friends to drugs and alcohol, and I believe I can help others."

Lexi was asked by pageant representatives whether or not she would be able to handle the busy schedule of Miss Teen International if she won the competition.

"I think I could do it," she said with confidence. "I'm usually pretty busy."

At school, Lexi is a member of the student advisory council and participates in dance and cheerleading. She has been in tap, jazz and ballet at Dawn's Dance Connection for nearly nine years and underwent leadership training in middle school with the Slick Tracy Leadership Program, where she learned how to reach out to others.

If she wins the title, Lexi will use her skills for public speaking engagements throughout the area and country, teaching kids about what it takes to be Miss Teen International and how to stay away from drugs and alcohol.

"I'm more excited than nervous," she grinned.

The trip to Chicago

The competition, which will be held July 24 and 26 at the Northshore Center for Performing Arts, will draw participants 13-18 yeas of age and their families from across the world.

Each will be judged in four distinct areas - interview (40 percent of total score), evening gown (20 percent), fitness wear (20 percent) and fun fashion wear (20 percent).

Lexi has already selected most of what she will be wearing for the competition: business attire for the interview portion, a red and white ball gown for evening wear as well as shorts and a workout top for fitness. She has yet to decide on her fun fashion outfit.

While in the windy city, Lexi, with her parents and brothers Grant and Payton, will visit the Navy Pier and a children's hospital, among other destinations.

"I'm really excited to see everything in Chicago and visit the hospital," Lexi said.

Future plans

As a born leader, Lexi's possibilities for the future are limitless.

"I would really like to work in fashion, either as a writer for a magazine or behind the scenes," she revealed.

To prepare for her career goal, Lexi has spent the past couple of years learning to sew, watching the world of fashion on TV and in magazines and even speaking with designers.

"I've made a few purses and just finished up a skirt," she said. "But I mostly give what I sew to friends."

Reflecting on her road to becoming Miss Iowa Teen International, Lexi credited her mother, Jennifer, as her role model.

"She's always been there for me and has always been very caring and given good advice," Lexi said. "My family has been very supportive of my decision to participate in the competition."

Lexi is the granddaughter of Jim and Deenie Schuchert of Spirit Lake, Mary and Don Schmitt of Algona and Louis Lappe of Bancroft and the great-granddaughter of Jack and Marcia Bedell of Spirit Lake and Margaret Schuchert of Spirit Lake.