The grand finale of Miss Texas USA 2019, held on 4th September 2018, saw the crowning of Alayah Benavidez as the new winner. She will be representing Texas in Miss USA 2019 to be held next year in May. If she manages to win the national title, she will be able to represent the United States in Miss Universe 2019.
Alayah is 23 years of age and is currently a student at the University of Texas at San Antonio as well as an Orthodontic Assistant to help finance her education. Her ultimate dream is to earn a PhD, become a professor in n Ivy League college, and become a successful author.
Diagnosed with dyslexia during her high school, Alayah did not let the condition limit her in any way, as she worked twice as hard than the other student to cope up with it and now she is in college majoring in the subjects that should have been a hindrance in her’s life.
This is not the first time that Alayah is competing in pageantry, as she has also won Miss San Antonio Texas Teen USA 2013, Greater Helotes Texas MS 2015, Miss San Antonio United States 2016 and Miss San Antonio Texas 2018. Her win was, therefore, a combination of hard work and prior experience.
Upon winning, Alayah took to her official social media accounts to announce the news and said, “There are no words. I am Miss Texas USA 2019! This dream I have had for so long and I cannot believe that this is real life. I am so so thrilled to be able to represent Texas at Miss USA 2019! Thank you so much to everyone for all of the messages, I am currently attempting to catch up and just know I appreciate all of the love and kind messages.”
With a heart of gold that Alayah has, she has been very active in her community as she serves as Team Captain for the Muscular Dystrophy Association’s Walk of Hope, and MDA camp counsellor, and has worked with worked with God’s Love We Deliver, Habitat for Humanity, the USO, and the Down Syndrome Association of South Texas.
Alayah is fully qualified for the position and it will not be surprising if she manages to win the national title during its finale.