Going for a national title

She might not be able to say many words yet, but she's in the running for a national title.

Rylie McMullan, an 18-month-old pageant participant, is currently the 2019-20 Wyoming's Baby Miss All American Girl.

The Green River native hasn't had the chance to grace the stage yet, but she will when she attends the All American Girl National Finals competition in Las Vegas Aug. 4-8.

Her mother, Bree McMullan, said Rylie's platform is "Inspire Change." Rylie does this through making small and simple changes to something she already loves to do: going on walks. Bree said she and Rylie started bringing a trash bag along with them on their walks and started collecting trash and recyclables they found while walking.

"It just takes one tiny act for changes to happen. Big or small," Bree said.

The third generation pageant participant is the youngest of the McMullan family. Bree said Rylie's older sisters participated in pageants before and the oldest, Naomi, is thinking about getting back into the competitions. Bree said her side of the family hasn't participated in pageants, but Rylie's sisters and cousins have all participated in pageants.

Bree said she's picky about which pageants she'll enter her daughters in. She wants them to promote volunteerism and teach her daughters how they can help their communities.

Bree found out about the Wyoming All American Girl pageant when she was in Utah. The lady she was talking to told her Wyoming had a pageant too and gave her information on who she could contact to enter her daughter.

According to the Wyoming All American Girl Pageant Facebook page, "All American Girl is one of the fastest growing children's pageants in the nation."

Rylie obtained her title through the a video application, which depicted how she interacts in the community. After the video was reviewed, she was selected as Wyoming's winner in the baby category.

Even though the family has competed in pageants in the past, this is the first national one for them.

At nationals, Rylie will compete in casual wear, party dress and baby play in the birth to three-year-old category.

"She will have a few three year olds she will be competing against," Bree said.

Naomi has been helping her sister prepare for the competition. For baby play, the contestants are allowed to play with toys and interact with the judges. Bree said since some of the contestants can't talk, this is a way for the judges to get to know the contestants and see their personalities.

Rylie will also participate in the various events and parties nationals is hosting for the contestants, which is included in her $975 registration fee. Bree said she and Rylie will attend the event together, while her siblings Robbie Jr., Naomi, Brayden and Erin will stay at their grandparents' house. Bree's husband , Robert, won't be able to make this trip.

If Rylie wins the national competition, she will receive a crown, banner, scepter, robe, $1,000 and an educational cruise.

Bree said if she wins the national title Rylie will also have the chance travel all over the country with the team of national winners. Even though this will only be Rylie's second pageant, Bree believes she'll do well. "She loves the stage," Bree said. "She likes being out in the public."