BLACKFOOT — Miss Blackfoot Teen is traveling to schools throughout the region to raise awareness about mental health as she prepares for the Miss Idaho Teen Competition.

Miss Blackfoot Teen Bryannah Dumas started what she calls the Magnolia Project to teach young people the importance of mental health and loving themselves.

“Like a magnolia, they are beautiful,” Dumas said. “I go to schools and teach about loving yourself.”

Dumas created the Magnolia Project a couple of years ago after her uncle died by suicide. She said that experience was shocking and opened her eyes to how many people struggle with their mental health.

“I’d seen how it affected him, but I wasn’t paying attention,” Dumas said. “I noticed it in some of my peers as well.”

Dumas named the project after magnolias because they are her favorite flower, and she hopes to teach teenagers and young adults that they are beautiful like the flower.

“They are beautiful and unique no matter what they are going through,” Dumas said.

So far, Dumas has spoken to students in all of the schools in Blackfoot. She has also visited some of the surrounding areas such as Rigby and Rupert.

“I’ve talked to the special ed class in Rigby,” Dumas said. “It was fun. They taught me sign language.”

The best part about visiting all these students is showing them that they are not alone and that there are others like them who understand what they are going through.

“Everyone can come together,” Dumas said. “We feel like we’re alone and that there’s no one to talk to. I’m the person they can talk to.”

Dumas will travel to Idaho Falls to compete in the Miss Idaho Teen competition in June. She looks forward to interacting with the other girls and meeting new people.

“I love how I get to build confidence in myself,” Dumas said. “I’ve been doing pageants since I was four.”