An 11-year-old from Fort Washington in Prince George’s County was crowned 2025 Ultimate International Preteen during a competition held August 31, 2025, in Virginia Beach, Virginia.
Paris Courtney Titus, a sixth-grade student on the Principal’s Honors list, earned the international title after competing against delegates from countries including the United Kingdom and South Africa. She represented her French West Indies heritage throughout the event, which evaluates participants on poise, talent, leadership, and community involvement.
Titus began participating in pageantry at age six. The Ultimate International Preteen system, part of a larger international pageant organization, selects titleholders annually to serve as ambassadors promoting positive causes during their reign. Winners advance through state or regional levels before competing internationally, with divisions for various age groups from infants 4 to adults.
Central to her platform is Paris’ Warm Heart & Giving Hands, a service initiative she founded at age seven. The program focuses on acts of kindness and encouragement, initially in the Washington, D.C., area and later expanding globally. It has evolved to concentrate on supporting individuals and families affected by cancer, motivated by the experiences of all four of her grandparents who faced the disease.
A key component involves creating Comfort Kits, care packages containing supportive items and uplifting messages distributed to those undergoing treatment. These kits aim to provide practical help and emotional encouragement during difficult periods. The initiative operates as a personal mission rather than a formal nonprofit, relying on community donations and volunteer assembly.
Titus also maintains an Instagram series called Spill the Tea on PositiviTEA, posted under handles @UltimateInternationalPreteen and @Paris_C_Titus. The content targets young audiences with messages promoting confidence, joy, and self-belief.
The pageant took place at the Founders Inn and Spa in Virginia Beach, Sandler Center for the Performing Arts in Virginia Beach, a common venue for national and international competitions drawing participants from multiple countries. Titleholders in the Ultimate system commit to a year of appearances, speaking engagements, and advancing their chosen platforms.
Pageantry in Maryland and the broader Capital region has grown in recent years, with systems like Ultimate International, National American Miss, and others offering divisions that emphasize community service alongside traditional elements. Young participants often use the experience to develop public speaking skills and launch long-term charitable efforts.
Cancer support remains a prominent cause among youth advocates in Southern Maryland and Prince George’s County, where organizations like the American Cancer Society’s local chapters and hospital programs regularly partner with student-led drives. Comfort items such as blankets, toiletries, puzzles, and handwritten notes frequently appear in patient care packages, aligning with hospital guidelines for infection control and emotional wellness.
As the reigning Ultimate International Preteen, Titus plans to continue expanding her Warm Heart & Giving Hands efforts while fulfilling title obligations. The role provides opportunities to speak at schools, events, and online platforms about kindness and resilience.
Her achievement marks another Maryland resident claiming an international youth title in 2025, following patterns seen in similar systems where local winners advance to represent on larger stages.
