Teen Pageant Runner-Up Battles Anxiety With Goody Bags

Maya Boileau stood backstage at the Miss Teen Galaxy UK finals in Chorley, handing out goody bags filled with motivational quotes, stress balls, and sweets to 35 nervous competitors who would soon become her rivals on stage.

The 16-year-old from Cottingham didn't just want to win. She wanted every girl there to feel supported.

Maya took home first runner-up in the national competition this March, capping off a year of preparation that included walk training, interview coaching, and perfecting her stage presence. The achievement earned her a free entry to next year's event and a potential path to the world finals in the United States.

But her biggest win wasn't the crown. It was the chance to share her "Beyond Anxiety" campaign with a national audience.

Maya launched the initiative in September 2025 after her own struggles with anxiety nearly held her back from pursuing pageants. The campaign encourages young people to talk openly about mental health, share coping strategies, and build confidence together.

She's been fundraising for Mind, the mental health charity, while posting helpful content about managing anxiety. Her three-day competition experience became a living example of her message: supporting others even in high-pressure moments.

"I knew the nerves would be going before they took to the stage," Maya explained about her backstage goody bags. Her mom Jessica watched her daughter's confidence grow over 18 months of competing, from placing in the top 15 at Miss Teen Great Britain in autumn 2024 to this year's runner-up finish.

Maya studies textiles, drama, and history at Newland School for Girls and dreams of becoming a criminal psychologist. For now, she's balancing her final school year with pageant prep and campaign work.

Sunny's Take

Sometimes the most powerful advocacy comes from someone who's lived the struggle themselves. Maya took her personal battle with anxiety and transformed it into tangible support for others facing the same fears. Those backstage goody bags weren't just kind gestures. They were proof that vulnerability can become strength, and that competing doesn't mean you can't also care deeply about the people standing beside you on stage.

With the international competition ahead, Maya's planning to expand her mental health message to an even wider audience. She's proof that platforms matter most when you use them to lift others up.