Being in the pageant community myself, I am well aware of the differing and often conflicting opinions regarding nearly every major pageant. On May 18th, a new Miss Teen USA, Hailey Colborn, was crowned.

Many viewers were quick to post their bold opinions regarding how qualified they believed this new titleholder to be. I read many comments saying that she was one of the shortest girls competing and that alone should have prevented her from a spot in the top 5. This is outrageous to me.

Miss Teen USA is a very prestigious title, accompanied by a great amount of responsibility. Hailey is going to be a role model to young girls all across America, engaging in countless community service projects and doing interviews all over television. Her height in no way hinders her ability to perform any of her duties and certainly does not diminish her beauty.

I also read many comments claiming that she only won because she is black and the Miss Teen USA system is in desperate need of diversity. While I agree that diversity is an issue within the pageant community, we should not use that to discredit a winner's accomplishment. Anyone expressing that Hailey only won because she is black should be made aware of how racist and uncalled for their statements are.

Many viewers also forget that there is an interview portion in pageants, which is highly important. The audience does not get to see this part, they only get a mere glimpse of each girl. We need to understand that our opinions are narrowed down only to what we see on stage.

Hailey Colborn is valedictorian of her high school class and will be attending Princeton University in the fall. She also founded her own mentorship program that promotes the importance of self-love to young girls. Hailey travels all across the country to share her story of struggling with self-esteem issues in hopes of inspiring girls to love themselves and dream big.

So, tell me again this girl isn't qualified. She is clearly brilliant, kind-hearted and takes the initiative to be a leader. Those claiming that the judges did not choose correctly are either ignorant to all Hailey has already achieved or are simply choosing to hate on her regardless.

Judges were looking for a strong young woman who will be a role model to teenage girls. Hailey has already proven that she is an excellent role model through her self-started program. She has already shown that she is selfless and hardworking. Of course, many of the other contestants are these things as well, but to say that Hailey is not a good fit simply isn't true. She is most certainly qualified.

I remember receiving backlash and a bit of bullying when I won my Texas title, Miss Teen Texas Belleza Latina 2016. This also occurred when I won my international pageant title, Miss Teen Belleza Latina International 2017. There were some people who claimed that I was not pretty enough to have won.

Here's what they didn't know. I nailed my interviews, articulately speaking about the importance of suicide awareness and mental health. I volunteered with numerous non-profit organizations, raising money for victims of sex-trafficking, domestic violence, and child abuse. I went to various elementary schools and spoke to children about the value of education and working hard. So, don't tell me I didn't earn my titles.

Thus, it saddens me to see comments claiming that Hailey is undeserving of being Miss Teen USA. She worked incredibly hard and she earned her title. As someone who has been in a similar situation, I hope she will simply dismiss any negativity and get ready to embark on an amazing journey as Miss Teen USA.

For me, pageantry has facilitated wonderful experiences and friendships that I will cherish forever. I am so grateful to my directors, sister queens, and pageant family for the constant love and support they've given me. It is because of this that I feel so strongly about the issue.

Pageants should be a place for girls to make life-long friends, exude confidence and advocate for the causes they are most passionate about. Pageants are intended to be fun and memorable for every competitor. There should be no debating the judges' decision afterward, for that only adds unnecessary negativity to an otherwise great experience.

So, can we please leave Hailey Colborn alone and let her enjoy her win? Yes, every competitor worked hard but the judges chose Hailey for a reason. Let us respect their decision instead of hating on a 17-year-old girl, kapeesh?