1st runner-up 2021, Non-finalist 2017
A native of Morgantown, Krystian Leonard was crowned Miss West Virginia USA on 5 June 2022 and represented West Virginia at the Miss USA 2022 pageant in Reno, Nevada. Krystian’s personal battle for self-acceptance, despite being bullied thru her early years, lead to her children’s book Shining S.C.A.R.S and her TEDx talk, ‘How to find your inner star’.
Krystian is half Mexican American, and an Irish/German mix. She was born to a military father in New Mexico before moving to West Virginia when she was 10 months old. Growing up in the mountains of West Virginia, this aspiring philanthropist has dedicated countless years to volunteer work and giving back to others in her community. Her TEDx talk, ‘How to find your inner star’, launched her passion for showcasing and normalized scars for young children and teens. The heartwarming story behind her work and children’s book, Shining Scars, came from Krystian’s own personal battle for self-acceptance despite being bullied thru her early educational years. Krystian is friend to all and has worked with notable organizations such as Next Gen Summit, Born This Way Foundation – Channel Kindness, and was recently awarded the 2021 Diana Award for her philanthropic work with Shining S.C.A.R.S. Inc. in collaboration with Cuddles for Clefts. In 2021 she appeared as the lead actress in Break Every Chain, a movie streaming now on Amazon Prime Video, Pureflix, Google Play, and Apple TV.
The on-stage moments, the tension of the final two and the glory of the crowning, here are Krystian’s state pageant photos.
Lights, camera, action! Professional photoshoots are one of the perks that comes from winning a title.
There’s nothing better than watching a contestant progress from year to year! Here’s a look back at Krystian’s previous pageant photos.
All beautiful things must come to an end, no matter how bittersweet. See Krystian’s farewell walk and other candids from the weekend she crowned her successor Nevaeh Harmon as Miss West Virginia USA 2023.
