Stevie Nettles Crowned Miss Vallejo Tri-City, Emphasizes Education and Heritage

The Miss Vallejo Tri-City title has been awarded to Stevie Nettles, a 24-year-old dedicated to fostering cultural pride and education in her community. Nettles was crowned in November 2023, alongside Miss Vallejo Tri-City Teen titleholder, Mialani Moises Boutain. This annual competition serves as a preliminary event for the Miss California and Miss America competitions and aims to provide mentorship and scholarship opportunities for young women in Vallejo, Fairfield, Benicia, and American Canyon.

Nettles views her new role as more than just a title; she sees it as a platform to inspire others. “One of my goals as a title holder is to show that education is the most important thing, especially to women,” she stated. “It’s the one thing that nobody can ever take away from you.” Her community service initiative focuses on promoting pride in one’s heritage, a cause that resonates deeply with her following a recent discovery of her own ancestry.

Having learned she is a sixth-generation Bay Area native, Nettles hopes to instill a sense of pride in her community. “Seeing that my lineage has helped build the Bay Area as we know it made me take a lot of pride in where I come from,” she explained. This sentiment is particularly poignant given the current political climate, where she perceives a push against cultural pride.

Cultural Representation in Pageantry

Nettles’ journey into pageantry began unexpectedly. While waiting at a Starbucks in her youth, she spotted a flyer for the Miss Solano County competition. “I looked at all the past winners, and none of them looked like me,” she recalled. Her determination to change that narrative propelled her into the world of pageantry. “I’m gonna win it. There’s going to be a Black Miss Solano County because I haven’t seen one in the last ten years or so,” she said.

At just 17, Nettles achieved her goal and was crowned Miss Solano County during her senior year at Armijo High School. She has been competing ever since, valuing the lessons learned along the way. “Pageantry has taught me so much more about being a woman than just beauty,” Nettles remarked. “I’ve met some of the most intelligent, high-achieving women in pageantry than in any other space in the world.”

Following her graduation, she attended Temple University in Philadelphia to study journalism. After a two-year stint as a sports journalist in New York, she returned to Vallejo to prepare for law school in the fall of 2024.

Community Engagement and Future Goals

Since assuming the title, Nettles has participated in various community events, including the beloved Mad Hatter Parade. “It’s been a great opportunity to represent the city where you are from,” she said, expressing her enthusiasm for inspiring others. She emphasizes the importance of discussing not only pageantry but also broader dreams with young girls in her community.

Nettles is particularly passionate about education and cultural pride, viewing both as intertwined elements. “I’m encouraging people to know who you are, your history, the history of your people, and take pride in who you are because the differences are what bring us together,” she asserted.

Reflecting on her pageant experience, Nettles felt a strong sense of purpose. On stage, surrounded by her fellow contestants, she understood the significance of her role. “Going into a pageant, you have to have the mindset of ‘What am I going to take away from this experience if I don’t win?’” she said. Upon hearing her name announced as the titleholder, she experienced a mix of happiness and surprise, coupled with a clear recognition of her new responsibilities.

“I felt that God really called this time for me, to really step into the light and just show what I can do, what I can bring, and how I can advocate for people,” Nettles concluded. Her reign as Miss Vallejo Tri-City promises to be a powerful force for positive change in her community, focusing on education, cultural pride, and empowerment.