Aubree Ault made quite an impression at her first America’s Best Pageant competition.

The 11-month-old Seymour girl, daughter of Megan Bowling and Mario Ault, received six tiaras and three trophies at the event in October in Sullivan.

“I was very surprised. I’m like, ‘OK, she’s doing really, really good. Mom is addicted now,’” Bowling said, smiling.

As a bonus, Aubree qualified for the national competition in September 2023 in St. Louis, Missouri, and earned the title of Baby Miss Jackson County.

“I knew that she could qualify for nationals, but I had no idea it came with a title and all that. I had no idea she would be representing her town,” Bowling said. “That was a shock to me. I was very surprised.”

Aubree competed in the age 0 to 13 months category, and Bowling said there were 60-plus contestants. She was four points away from winning overall, which results in cash prizes.

“They don’t say second or third and all that. They go by points, so I would say she came in about third place,” Bowling said. “The one that beat her was a girl who could actually get onstage, dance and all that. She can’t do that.”

According to its website, America’s Best Pageant is a natural to semi-glitz system that prides itself in holding fun, stress-free pageants that help girls and boys grow into confident young adults. Pageants are hosted in 12 different states.

Bowling said she likes how the pageants focus on natural beauty and personality.

“Getting her into something like this, I think she’ll really enjoy it because it’s all natural,” she said. “She clapped and smiled. She did really good. She’s such a happy baby. She has got a 2-year-old brother, so they keep each other on their toes. It’s hard to believe she came two months early.”

At each pageant, canned goods are collected by the contestants to donate to a food pantry located in the host community. At Aubree’s second pageant that was Sunday in Salem, contestants donated toys for Toys for Tots that will be distributed to kids in that community.

Each pageant also has a theme. For the one in October, it was black and white. For the one on Sunday, it was Holiday Barbie.

Categories are best hair, best smile, personality, theme wear and beauty wear. Other awards are given for best hair, best eyes, best smile, best dressed, most photogenic and most beautiful/handsome.

“The more you get, the more tiaras you get,” Bowling said.

Other pageants for Aubree include one with a cosmic candy theme in January in Terre Haute and one with a cheerleading theme in April in Muncie.

The family has been seeking sponsors for Aubree to attend nationals and recently was only $300 away from having all of the costs covered. Several local businesses have donated gift certificates for Bowling to raffle off and keep the proceeds.

“We’re going to be making a banner and everybody who helps us, all of the businesses are going to have a logo on the banner at the competitions so everyone knows who sponsors her,” Bowling said.

Anyone interested in a sponsorship may contact Bowling at 812-764-9559.

Now that she has gotten her daughter into pageants, Bowling said Aubree likes it, and she does, too.

“My friend, her daughter was in pageants, and she was trying to get more people to get in because it helps her get more points going toward nationals, and she got me in, and now, I’m addicted,” Bowling said, smiling. “I make new friends. (Aubree) has made little baby friends. She really seems like she enjoys it. She gets up there and smiles. She does not throw a fit when we’re there. She’s just a happy baby about it.”