Lance Avery Morgan
From The Spotlight Of The Stage To The Classrooms And Communities Of Texas, Her Reign Is Rooted In Service, Scholarship, And Inspiration
All portrait photography courtesy of the Miss Texas Organization
When Richardson resident Sadie Schiermeyer was crowned Miss Texas 2025, the lights in the theater seemed to shine a little brighter; not just on her glittering crown, but on the purpose she carries into the role. A whirlwind year now lies ahead, filled with the glamour of appearances and the grit of advocacy. For Schiermeyer, the title is more than a sparkling emblem of accomplishment. It’s a platform for service, a voice for causes close to her heart, and a chance to embody the resilience and ambition of modern Texas womanhood. Plus, it’s a family affair, since her mother, Arian Orlando, was crowned Miss Texas in 1994. Here, our Lance Avery Morgan, a 2018 Miss Texas judge, caught up with the newly crowned dynamo to see how her life has been enhanced since winning.
The Crown As A Calling
As Miss Texas, Schiermeyer represents not only the Miss America Organization’s century-long tradition of scholarship and service but also the spirit of a rapidly evolving state. Her responsibilities are as varied as they are demanding, with media interviews, speaking engagements, charity galas, school visits, and tireless travel across Texas’s 254 counties. She becomes both an ambassador and a role model, showing young people what’s possible when talent, education, and determination align.
Schiermeyer’s chosen community service initiative, the cornerstone of every Miss America candidate’s platform, focuses on empowerment through education and mentorship. Whether addressing a packed auditorium of high school students or hosting intimate workshops, she emphasizes the importance of building confidence, fostering leadership skills, and equipping young women and men to step into their own futures with clarity and courage.
Balancing Act: Grace & Grit
The role isn’t all photo ops and sequins. Schiermeyer’s calendar is meticulously mapped, often spanning early morning flights, afternoon speeches, and evening fundraisers. Every handshake, selfie, and soundbite is part of a bigger picture: representing Texas with warmth, intelligence, and poise. For her, it’s about being fully present in every moment, whether she’s in a boardroom, a classroom, or a parade down Main Street of any Texas town.
She also serves as a spokesperson for various nonprofit partners of the Miss Texas Organization, lending her energy to causes ranging from children’s hospitals to arts education programs. It’s a dual life of glamour and grit; switching seamlessly from elegant gowns onstage to casual clothes in a classroom of second graders who want to know what it feels like to wear a crown.
A Truly Texas Story
Though her crown carries weight across the state, Schiermeyer’s story is quintessentially Texan. Her journey to the Miss Texas title wasn’t simply about pageantry; it was about persistence. From honing her talent performance, to championing academic excellence, to competing with grace under pressure, every step was an exercise in discipline. Those qualities now serve her daily as she navigates a high-profile role that requires charisma, stamina, and authenticity in equal measure.
Looking Ahead
As Miss Texas 2025, Sadie Schiermeyer will go on to compete for the title of Miss America, bringing with her not just the hopes of her home state but a message of what the crown can mean in the 21st century: service, scholarship, and the ability to inspire. Beyond the competition, she is setting the foundation for a future career that blends her interests in leadership, advocacy, and the arts.
For now, the crown sits on her head, but the responsibility will rest in her heart for a lifetime. Whether she’s addressing a ballroom of dignitaries or a classroom of wide-eyed kids, Sadie Schiermeyer embodies the modern Miss Texas: poised yet relatable, polished yet approachable, ambitious yet deeply committed to lifting others as she climbs.
Her reign is just beginning, but it’s already clear that Miss Texas 2025 is not only representing her state. She’s redefining what it means to wear the crown. Here, we catch up one-on-one to learn more about the vibrant personality behind the talent.
As the new Miss Texas America, how will you use your platform to promote education and empowerment for young women in our state?
Sadie Schiermeyer: I believe that young women are most empowered when we are properly educated on our physical and mental wellness and given the tools to steward our bodies well so that we can pursue our dreams. Since health education is only mandated until eighth grade and we are currently ranked 50th in women’s health, my role as Miss Texas uniquely places me to be a catalyst for change.
Texas is known for its diverse culture and communities. How would you celebrate and represent this diversity during your reign?
Sadie Schiermeyer: Health challenges do not discriminate. Something that everyone can relate to is the feeling of needing help, but the availability of resources may vary depending on your community and specific needs. My goal as Miss Texas is to serve as a bridge for all Texans to access the necessary resources, care, and education they may need, regardless of factors such as race, gender, or socioeconomic status.
In your opinion, what are the most pressing social issues facing young Texans today, and how would you advocate for change?
Sadie Schiermeyer: Polarization is not only breaking our communities apart, but it is sometimes making it difficult to determine what is accurate or unbiased in our society. Having studied group dynamics, I believe the key to changing the narrative is looking for common goals that require us to work together. As Miss Texas, one of my goals is to ensure that all communities have access to resources for health education. I genuinely believe that is something we can rally behind as a state.
The Miss Texas America organization emphasizes talent, intelligence, and beauty. How does your talent reflect your personal values and aspirations?
Sadie Schiermeyer: I danced to the song “That’s Life” at both my state and national competition because it allows me to share my story of battling and overcoming an eating disorder. Dance has always been a passion of mine, but there was a period of time when I thought I would never have the opportunity to perform again because I was too sick. My solo showcases my personal journey of faith and hard work, with continued optimism for a bright future.
As a role model, how would you encourage young people to pursue their dreams while maintaining a balanced lifestyle?
Sadie Schiermeyer: MAKE. A. PLAN! And be willing to adapt the plan when circumstances change and challenges arise. If we aren’t living with intention, simple self-care habits can easily fall through the cracks. Schedule things like exercise or drinking water just like you would schedule a meeting!
If given the opportunity, what initiative or project would you prioritize during your year as Miss Texas America?
Sadie Schiermeyer: I already represent my own initiative, “Healthier Texas: How Are You Really?”, but I hope to expand my impact in collaboration with the American Heart Association. Heart disease is the #1 killer for all demographics combined, but it can largely be prevented or mitigated by simple lifestyle changes. Since health education is not clearly mandated across the state, my mission is to ensure that all Texans have access to the right resources and support to build a life and body they love.
Texas has a rich tradition of philanthropy. How do you plan to engage with charitable organizations and promote volunteerism among young Texans?
Sadie Schiermeyer: So much of my role, and local titleholders’ roles, is to be a helping hand and a leader in the community. Through my partnerships with Healthier Texas and the American Heart Association, I hope to demonstrate that philanthropy and volunteerism can be both enjoyable and beneficial.
What message do you hope to convey to young girls across Texas who may look up to you as Miss Texas America?
Sadie Schiermeyer: With hard work and faith, you can overcome any obstacle! Achieving your dream may look different than how you would expect, but that doesn’t make it any less worthwhile.
The best career advice I’ve received is…
Sadie Schiermeyer: Lean on the people around you! It may be possible to do everything on your own, but it is far easier and more enjoyable when you can do it with people you love.
Three qualities that got me where I am today are…
Sadie Schiermeyer: Persistence. Optimism. Integrity.
Easiest career decision I ever made is…
Sadie Schiermeyer: Competing in the Miss America opportunity. Truthfully, my professional career hasn’t quite begun. Still, the Miss Texas Organization has paved the way for me to pursue my dream career by providing scholarships that enable me to attend my dream school. Additionally, I have established a strong network of relationships that have already benefited me as I embark on my professional counseling journey.
Due to my ongoing involvement with The Miss Texas Organization, I have found that…
Sadie Schiermeyer: You should cherish the journey just as much as the destination. We as individuals and as a society are in a constant state of growth and change. While our eyes are always on the next milestone, it is essential to fall in love with the process so that we are constantly inspired to keep growing.
What is influencing me right now is…
Sadie Schiermeyer: Disney World. I had the opportunity to visit Magic Kingdom two days after Miss America, and I was deeply inspired by the attention to detail and care in the parks. The cast members I interacted with focused on the small, magical moments that make the trip so special for everyone. I am going to have many spotlight moments as Miss Texas, but I think it is important to remember the mini magical moments I can create along the way.
How I made my first dollar…
Sadie Schiermeyer: I worked as a babysitter and nanny throughout high school and college. I have always been extremely passionate about children, and babysitting provided a way for me to practice mentorship while also making money.
First music I bought was…
Sadie Schiermeyer: A Hannah Montana CD for my CD player when I was a child.
Whenever I hear a Yacht Rock song, I immediately…
Sadie Schiermeyer: Have to look up the artist. I am not as familiar with the genre.
Last thing I binge/marathon watched…
Sadie Schiermeyer: High Potential on ABC. I love random facts, and the psychology nerd in me loves the main character.
Book that left a lasting impression on me…
Sadie Schiermeyer: Throne of Glass.
On that note, my favorite fiction character is…
Sadie Schiermeyer: Aelin Galathynius from Throne of Glass. This character actually inspired me to start my own wellness journey due to her strength and resilience.
My real-life hero has got to be…
Sadie Schiermeyer: One of my great friends, Mallory Pendergast. While enduring the loss of her husband, she showed me what it looks like to hold on to faith and joy.
If I lived in a foreign city, it would be…
Sadie Schiermeyer: I would love to live in Copenhagen, Denmark. It’s known to be one of the happiest and healthiest places in the world. The culture values whole-person wellness just like I do. It’s just a bonus that the weather is a lot cooler than in Texas.
What everyone should try in their lifetime is…
Sadie Schiermeyer: Ziplining. I was a zipline instructor for three summers, and my favorite thing to witness was children putting education and faith into action as they stepped off the platform and trusted the equipment would keep them safe.
If I could compete in an Olympic sport, or create one, it would be…
Sadie Schiermeyer: I would like to see dance (other than breakdancing) somehow incorporated into the Olympics—hopefully ballet.
If I weren’t doing what I do, I would be a…
Sadie Schiermeyer: I would probably be an elementary science teacher. I love children and I love science, so it feels like a natural fit. I started filling out applications before I won Miss Texas, and I am so glad I never pressed the submit button.
A celebrity I would prank phone call, and what I would ask them is…
Sadie Schiermeyer: My favorite prank to see on social media right now is asking professional athletes if they wish they were more athletic. Maybe I would call Taylor Swift or Sabrina Carpenter and ask if they wished they were more artistic.
My hidden talent that most people might not guess is…
Sadie Schiermeyer: I am really good at memorizing sequences of numbers. Careful sharing your password with me; I will remember it forever.
If I had a superpower, I’d want it to be…
Sadie Schiermeyer: I would like to be able to read people’s emotions or always know if someone is lying, so that I can help them. I think those would be really helpful when I become a counselor.
My style icon is…
Sadie Schiermeyer: Margot Robbie, specifically on the Barbie press tour.A simple way to get people to laugh is easy. Just…
Sadie Schiermeyer: Do something embarrassing with complete confidence. Acknowledge a wardrobe malfunction, mispronouncing a word, or something embarrassing you did in front of a group – it’s relatable!
A phrase I might overuse would be…
Sadie Schiermeyer: I like to say “yeehaw” sarcastically. It feels like the equivalent of saying “yay” and “buckle up” at the same time.
My motto? Easy. It is…
Sadie Schiermeyer: Strong body, steady mind, soft heart.
My personal style signifier is…
Sadie Schiermeyer: Balancing an elegant look with a ponytail or sneakers.
The classic designer I wish was still designing today would be…
Sadie Schiermeyer: Valentino. I love several of his old gown designs.
The last meal that truly impressed me was…
Sadie Schiermeyer: A burger from Sixty Vines. They truly elevated a classic dish.
In my fridge, you will always find…
Sadie Schiermeyer: Fruit and cottage cheese.
My perfect day would end…
Sadie Schiermeyer: Reading a book in bed (maybe with a great view outside my window).
The title of my autobiography will likely be…
Sadie Schiermeyer: How Are You Really? My Journey In Wellness, Pageantry, And Community Advocacy
