Alyssia Duda was crowned Miss Chicago’s Teen 2025 at the Miss Chicago pageant on Saturday, January 18, 2025. The event, hosted by Miss Illinois 2014 Marisa Buchheit, was held at the Irish American Heritage Center in Chicago, Illinois. The 18-year-old ballerina also received the Mia Fritch-Anderson Community Service Initiative Award, sponsored by Miss Illinois Teen 2022. Alyssia was crowned by last year’s winner, Anika Chandola.
“Being Miss Chicago’s Teen is such a blessing,” Alyssia told Bose Akadiri, Founder of Goal and Grind and guest host for Chicago Southsider, after the crowning ceremony. “I’m so excited because I get to bring my initiative, Alyssia’s Dream, to help girls of color pursue their dreams of becoming professional ballet dancers by providing scholarships and dance supplies.”
Alyssia competed in her first pageant in 2023, earning the title of Miss Windy City Outstanding Teen 2023 and winning the Peyton Newman Talent Award.
Although Alyssia began her pageant journey just a few years ago, her exceptional talent reflects years of dedication to her craft as a ballerina. She started ballet at the age of 3 and has studied various techniques, including Vaganova, Classical, Cecchetti, and Balanchine. Her talent has taken her to notable stages, such as performing in The Joffrey Ballet’s The Nutcracker. Beyond dance, Alyssia has channeled her passion into her nonprofit organization, Alyssia’s Dream, and a book that shares her story to inspire others and create opportunities for aspiring ballet dancers.
Alyssia will represent Chicago at the upcoming Miss Illinois‘ Teen competition, which will be held at the Marion Civic Center from June 25–28, 2025. She will join her sister queens, Kerry Koranteng, Miss Windy City’s Teen 2025, and Alessia Shaw, Miss Cook County’s Teen 2025, at the state pageant.
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