My name is Isabella Alvarado. I am an 18-year-old senior at Montwood High School competing in Miss Teen El Paso 2026. I am looking for sponsors to support me on my journey toward representing El Paso. I have faced many adversities throughout my life before the age of 18, more than most have faced in a lifetime. My life has shaped me into who I am and given me the perspective and drive to become the woman I am meant to be, no matter what adversity I face. I believe that once you read a bit about my story, you will feel inspired to support me on my journey toward Miss El Paso Teen 2026.

At 4 years old, I lost my mom, Juana Muniz, in a tragic car accident. I was forced to move in with my father and stepmother. Under their care, I experienced 14 years of many types of abuse. Last year, at 17 years old, I made the terrifying decision to stand up against the abuse and leave home. Living there had taken a serious toll on my mental health; I was living in constant fear, anxiety, and dimming my own light. I reached a point where I understood that staying in that environment was holding me back from growing into the person I aspired to be. So, I made the decision to leave my father and stepmother’s abusive household.

As I thought through the steps I would need to take to leave my father’s household, I also reflected on the values and qualities I wanted to embody: resilience, independence, emotional stability, and self-respect. The process of planning my escape was not only about changing my surroundings; it was about making a conscious decision to prioritize my well-being and my future. In that moment, I realized that the person I wanted to become was someone who could recognize unhealthy situations, set boundaries, and take action to protect their mental and emotional health. That decision marked a turning point in my life and in my understanding of who I am and who I want to be.

I am running for Miss Teen El Paso in honor of my mother, who ran before she died. She has always been my greatest inspiration, even though I lost her at only 4 years old. She was charismatic, beautiful, and carried herself with a presence that people remembered long after they met her. Even today, many still speak highly of her, not only for her appearance but for her warmth, confidence, and the way she treated others. Seeing the impact she had on people made me want to follow in her footsteps and challenge myself in a similar way.

Competing in Miss Teen El Paso is an opportunity for me to grow, build confidence, and step into my true self, something I was never allowed to do in my dad’s house. It will allow me to represent my community while also honoring the example my mom set for me. For a long time, it was difficult for me to fully acknowledge what I went through while living with my dad. I minimized my experiences, questioned my own perceptions, and sometimes even blamed myself. Coming to terms with the reality that what happened to me was abuse required me to confront painful memories and challenge beliefs I had developed to cope with the situation. It forced me to recognize that my feelings were valid and that the long-term impact on my mental and emotional health was real. This acceptance was not about remaining in the past but about understanding it clearly so I could begin to heal.

Although it has been incredibly difficult, facing this truth has allowed me to set healthier boundaries, seek support, and begin rebuilding a sense of self-worth and safety. Accepting that I went through different types of abuse has been the most challenging obstacle in my life so far, but it has also been the first step toward genuine recovery and growth, which I have found now in living with my maternal family. In five years, I see myself living the kind of successful life I’ve always pictured for myself. I’m very driven and have been in an early college program while working toward my associate’s degree in nursing. I hope to look back and feel proud of how far I’ve come. When I left my dad’s home, I saw an immediate change in my life and in the opportunities around me. That experience proved to me that I can change my situation and create something better for myself.

I’m looking for sponsors to support me on my journey in Miss Teen El Paso 2026.

No raffles, sweepstakes, giveaways, or returns on investment are offered in exchange for any donations made to this GoFundMe.