'How did I do this again?' Buffalo girl wins national pageant just months after house fire

Four months ago, 6-year-old Bentlee Graham walked carefully through her family's blackened living room, asking her mom if they would be able to salvage some of her favorite toys. Just weeks before, the Grahams' kitchen had been engulfed in flames, causing smoke damage throughout much of the house.

Despite new challenges, the Grahams were trying to celebrate Bentlee's latest accomplishment, being crowned National American Little Miss Missouri Covergirl Princess. As a statewide titleholder, Bentlee was to compete at the National American Miss pageant in Orlando, Florida, in November. But scraping together the money necessary for the pageant felt like a nearly impossible task to the family after the fire.

When the News-Leader visited the family Monday, Bentlee was eager to show off a new silver crown and bejeweled sash decked out in metal pins. Just over a week ago, the Grahams returned home from Orlando where Bentlee not only competed at the National American Miss pageant, but took home the national title in her age division: 2023-24 National American Little Miss USA Covergirl Princess. Bentlee also received the Heart of Service award in her age division.

As the national titleholder for the Princess age division (covering ages 4-6), Bentlee received a crown, sash, scholarship and an all-expenses paid trip to next year's national pageant. She also will have a two-page spread about her in an upcoming issue of The iam Dream Magazine, a publication from the National American Miss system. For the Heart of Service award, which she received for completing community service work through her church, Bentlee won a special pin, sash, crown and $800 scholarship.

Today, Bentlee and her parents, Casey and Matt Graham, live in an RV parked behind their house in Buffalo. They've been living in an RV near their vacant home for four months. Initially, the Grahams were staying in an RV loaned to them by Casey's dad and stepmom. In mid-August, not long after the News-Leader's initial visit, the family purchased an RV for $15,000. Casey said a couple in West Plains learned of the Grahams' story and was willing to give them a significant discount.

Read our first story: Weeks after winning first pageant, Missouri 6-year-old called 911 as her home burned

Family remains in temporary housing

On Aug. 4, the Grahams' home caught fire. At the time, only Casey and Bentlee were home, and upon seeing black smoke billow into the bedroom where they were watching a movie, Bentlee, who is now 7 years old, grabbed a phone to dial 911.

The 911 dispatcher advised Casey and Bentlee to exit from the nearest door, but the two were trapped on the side of the house without any exterior doors. As a result, Casey ended up breaking a window with a hammer and the two jumped outside. Although Casey was transported to a hospital initially due to a high carbon monoxide level, ultimately neither Casey or Bentlee sustained permanent injuries.

Over the past four months, Casey said Matt has been busy fixing up the home, as much as he can on his own.

"He is so drained. We own our business ... he comes home and works on the house until he just can't do any more," Casey said. Casey and Matt own M&C Graham Construction, building custom homes.

Casey told the News-Leader on Monday that the family is now waiting for their first inspection, to ensure that the house's new wiring is up to code per their mortgage's standards. If the inspection goes well, another inspection will need to be completed before the family can officially move back in. Casey said she hopes to be back in the house by early next year.

Family invests more than $20,000 in pageant

Bentlee's win is not only impressive because of its national status, but also because this was her first year participating in pageants — ever.

Earlier this year, the Grahams received a letter in the mail nominating Bentlee to participate in the National American Miss pageant system. To the surprise of her parents, Bentlee showed interested in competing. In July, Bentlee competed with about 47 other girls at the statewide pageant in Columbia, taking home the National American Little Miss Missouri Covergirl Princess title.

In an effort to raise money for the national pageant (the family had to pay for everything but their hotel stay), the Grahams had collected more than $15,000 worth of items they planned to sell in an auction fundraiser. Unfortunately, these items were lost in the house fire.

Casey said due to the quick turnaround, from the fire to the national pageant, the family was not able to host any large community fundraisers or connect with sponsors, like they had hoped. In September, Bentlee did "serve" tables at the Fuddruckers in Branson, making about $800, but this was the extent of her fundraising.

In the end, the family invested $22,000 so Bentlee could attend the national pageant, Casey told the News-Leader. The Grahams spent 10 days in Orlando over Thanksgiving week, attending the pageant, exploring Universal Studios and celebrating the holiday with family friends.

'How did I do this again?'

In addition to the main pageantry competition, Bentlee competed in several optional contests, including Casual Wear Modeling, Top Model Search, Dream Model and Photogenic. The Heart of Service contest was also optional. Bentlee won the Heart of Service award at the statewide pageant earlier this year too.

When thinking about how she felt before the pageant in Orlando, Bentlee said she wasn't nervous but excited.

"Because I had already done it before, I just knew what it felt like, so I was just happy because you got to see all of your friends and talk with them while you were doing stuff, like while you were waiting in line," Bentlee said.

Bentlee said her favorite part of the entire pageant was when her dad escorted her out during the formal wear competition. For this competition, participants wore a formal gown and modeled it on stage.

Despite some not-so-nice comments from a few of her fellow contestants, Casey said she was proud of how Bentlee interacted with everyone.

"Bentlee, of course, she told every person who she saw how beautiful they were," Casey said. "I was glad she did that."

Outside of the pageant, the Grahams enjoyed a day at Universal Studios. Bentlee said her favorite rides were Revenge of the Mummy and Fast & Furious Supercharged. She also enjoyed all of the character mascots bowing down to her and her friends throughout the park.

When it came to the crowning ceremony, Casey said the family was not prepared for Bentlee's name to be called. Matt was not even at the pageant yet when Bentlee's name was called for 2023-24 National American Little Miss USA Covergirl Princess.

When asked what she thought when her name was called, Bentlee said: "I was like, 'How did I do this again?'"

Looking to next year, Bentlee said she wants to participate in the National American Miss pageant again. Because she has aged out of the Princess age division, she would be participating in the Junior Pre-Teen division, available to girls age 7-9.

Greta Cross is the trending topics reporter for the Springfield News-Leader. Follow her on X and Instagram @gretacrossphoto. Story idea? Email her at gcross@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Buffalo 7-year-old wins national pageant, four months after house fire