Gonzales’ Belen Leon places in Top 5 at Universal Teen USA pageant

For four years, Gonzales resident Belen Leon has been competing and placing among the best of the best at teen pageants throughout the United States.

Earlier this month, Leon, 19, competed at the 2024 Universal Teen USA pageant in Las Vegas, Nev., as Universal Teen Texas 2024 and placed in the Top 5 as the fourth runner-up. She also was honored as Best Interview out of all the pageant organizations.

“My experience with pageants has been incredible,” Leon told the Inquirer. “It has opened many doors for me. It's amazing the friendships and the amount of people you meet throughout each organization.

“Representing Texas has been the greatest thing I have ever accomplished. I have been able to represent the beautiful state three times in Nationals, but the best part is being able to say that I come from a small town, which is Gonzales.”

Leon said her love of pageants started with her  being named a countess on the 2018 Gonzales Royal Court for Come and Take It Weekend.

“After that, I realized that I wanted to go further in modeling and doing bigger organizations and that is where I started as Teen Universe Gonzales and later competed for state in San Antonio and won Miss Teen International Texas 2021,” Leon added.

The first pageant she competed in after the Gonzales Royal Court was Teen Universe Gonzales and she won the state title as Miss Teen International Texas 2021. She would later go on to compete in nationals in Orlando, Fla., but unfortunately did not place at that pageant. Then, in April 2023, she represented Miss Teen Latina Texas 2023 and went to nationals in Denver, Colo. She placed fifth and was awarded Top Model and Most Dedicated. This year, she won Universal Teen Texas before going on to represent the state in Las Vegas.

Leon can often be found helping her parents at their restaurant, The Cow Palace, where she works as a waitress. She also helps out at the Catholic Church by assisting with CCD (catechism) classes on Wednesday nights.

“My biggest role models have been all of my family,” Leon said. “They have supported me throughout every single pageant I have done. I have accomplished many goals throughout my teen years in pageants and my dream is to represent Miss Grand USA in the future.”

She is currently attending Victoria College to pursue an associate’s degree in business management and said “my plans for the future are to finish college and hope to start my own business.”

“I do hope to keep doing pageants in the future, but for now, I will take a break and finish school,” Leon said.

Her advice to anyone interested in taking part in pageants — “if you're ever passionate about doing something, do it!”
“I would have never thought I would be able to represent Texas, but I have been blessed to have done it three times,” Leon said. “Don't ever think that, just because you're from a small town, things can't be done. Gonzales is the reason I have made it this far and I am proud to say I come from a small town.”