On the evening of Saturday, the 8th of August, the 2026 Southern California Miss Teen pageant was held in Los Angeles, with a full house in attendance. Katelyn Chang, 16 years old, was crowned queen of the teen group, while Victoria Hsu, 13 years old, was crowned queen of the pre-teen group.
The Southern California Miss Teen pageant is a growth program that combines scholarships, beauty pageants, and female empowerment training, aiming to encourage young women to build confidence, independent thinking, and communication skills. Contestants not only participate in on-stage competitions but also undergo training in public speaking, communication, etiquette, catwalk, personal image, and leadership.
This year’s competition was divided into the teen group (16 to 18 years old) and the pre-teen group (13 to 15 years old). Competition categories included business attire and self-introduction, cocktail dresses, as well as evening gowns and witty Q&A sessions.
Katelyn Chang is currently in the 11th grade at Orange County School of the Arts, majoring in violin. Outside of school, she enjoys photography, Model United Nations, and public speaking. Her works have been recognized in national academic arts and writing competitions, the Cable News Network student video competition, and the UNESCO “Silk Road through the Eyes of Youth” photography contest. She hopes to pursue a career in law to advocate for the community and engage in public service.
Katelyn Chang received a $1,500 scholarship, along with a tiara, queen sash, trophy, and title. Over the next year, she will participate in public speaking engagements and community activities.
Victoria Hsu enjoys singing, performing, songwriting, and puppet theater creation. She has created an audio-visual channel that explores philosophical aspects of life, using animation and verbal storytelling to reflect on the meaning of life and personal growth. Her poetry focuses on themes of growth, loss, and self-improvement and has received international awards.
Victoria Hsu received a $750 scholarship, along with a tiara, queen sash, trophy, and title. Over the next year, she will also engage in public speaking engagements and community activities.
The program was founded by educator, community leader, and former Los Angeles Chinatown Miss Queen Christina Wu. Wu is currently Vice President of the Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce and Director of the Los Angeles Chinatown Miss Beauty Pageant, with backgrounds in business and education, holding a Master of Business Administration from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business and a bachelor’s degree from the University of Southern California.
Christina Wu expressed her desire to provide a supportive and respected environment for young women to explore new things, discover their strengths, and express their thoughts. She emphasized that the program is not just about beauty pageants but aims to help 13 to 18-year-old females develop communication skills, leadership qualities, confidence, and personal growth through training.
This year’s event invited judges such as Cherie Wang, Mei-Ming Chiu, Evelyn Lam (former Miss Hong Kong), and Yvonne Peng. The organizers welcomed young women of different ethnicities and backgrounds to participate, hoping to encourage the new generation of women to find their voices, expand their horizons, and give back to the community with their own abilities.