Trine alumna advocating for kindness in Miss Indiana run

A Trine University alumna is preparing to compete in her sixth Miss Indiana pageant, with the hope of further supporting her efforts against bullying.

Elayna Hasty, who graduated with a general studies: pre-law degree in 2024, qualified for Miss Indiana by winning the local Miss Banks of the Wabash pageant in November.

Miss Indiana will take place June 18-21 in Zionsville.

Love of volunteerism

Elayna was drawn to pageants at age 10 through her love of volunteerism.

“I am originally from Ohio and I begged my mom to compete for Little Miss Montpelier so I could spend more time at our local humane society and nursing home,” she recalled. “From there I won the county pageant and have enjoyed pageantry ever since.”

She competed in the National American Miss system as a pre-teen and then began competing in the Teen division of Miss America when she was 14.

Areas of competition for the Miss America Organization are a personal interview, on-stage question, talent, fitness and evening gown. Elayna sang an aria from the opera Gianni Schicchi for the Miss Banks of the Wabash competition.

For her platform, Elayna advocates for G.A.B. Girls (Girls Against Bullying), a nonprofit organization she founded at age 9.

“I founded this organization as someone who has been a victim of bullying and have watched others who I care about go through bullying at school or online,” she said. “My mission is to foster a culture of kindness, confidence and connection. It has been my life-long commitment to making sure that no one ever feels alone, silenced or small because of someone else's words or actions.”

Through her work with G.A.B. Girls, Elayna has developed three workshops for children that teach how to stand up for what's right in the face of adversity, the power behind being one’s unique self, and, for young girls, how to harness kindness as a superpower.

“I have reached over 1,700 kids through 82 workshops,” she said.

Year of transition

In addition to her work with G.A.B. Girls and preparing for Miss Indiana, Elayna has been planning her wedding since graduating from Trine.

“It's been a year of transition, growth and laying the groundwork for the future I'm working toward!” she said.

In the long term, she hopes to attend law school and practice in family or business law.

Wherever life takes her, she said she always hopes to spread the message that kindness is a strength, not a weakness.

“In a world where comparison and criticism can feel constant, choosing compassion is powerful,” she said. “Through founding G.A.B. Girls, I've learned that one voice can spark change, but it's when we lift each other up that true transformation happens. No matter where life takes you, walk with purpose, lead with kindness and never forget that your light was meant to shine!”

For more information on G.A.B. Girls, visit gabgirls.org, or follow g.a.b.girls on Instagram or G.A.B. Girls on Facebook.

To keep up with Elayna’s Miss Indiana journey, follow missbanksin on Instagram.