Estella Fullerton of Arlee was recently crowned Mrs. Grand International 2024 during a competition held Nov. 23-28 in Myanmar.

Fullerton moved to Arlee in 2003, and helps her husband, Hall Fullerton, on the family ranch. The Filipino-American became a naturalized U.S. citizen in 2006, and describes herself as “a dedicated wife and homemaker.”

“Six years ago, I began sponsoring 50 children in the Philippines by providing school supplies. This experience ignited a passion within me to do more for the community and give back to my home country,” she writes.

She has since founded the Filipino American Montana Organization, a nonprofit dedicated to providing educational assistance to underprivileged children and supporting women in need. Locally, she and her husband have donated to Safe Harbor in Ronan and Watson Children's Shelter in Missoula.

Fullerton served as vice president and co-founder of the Filipino-American Chamber of Commerce based in Spokane, and was recently elected to the board of directors of the Filipino-American Association of the Greater Inland Empire.

She also joined the Coalition of Filipino-American Chambers of Commerce, based in Cerritos, Calif., which led to her connection with “entrepreneurs and individuals in the pageant community.”

Fullerton believes beauty pageants aren’t just about physical attributes.

“At 61 years old, I believe that age is just a number. It doesn’t define us; rather, it is our actions and our desire to uplift others that truly matter,” she said during her acceptance speech.

“Mrs. Grand USA is not just a beauty contest,” she writes. “It celebrates beauty, grace, and advocacy for important causes.” In her case, that cause is education, especially for children in developing countries.

She won the title of Mrs. Grand Elite USA 2024 on Aug. 3 during a pageant in Seattle, which earned her a trip to the international pageant in Myanmar (formerly Burma). She writes that judges evaluated contestants in Seattle based on preliminary advocacy interviews, and their appearances in evening gowns and national costumes.

At the international contest, she spent several days in rehearsals and events, leading to the grand coronation on Nov. 18. As part of the contest, she wore a national costume named “Liberty,” which she said embodied “the spirit of freedom and strength that resonates with my advocacy work.”

She was also awarded the title of “Mrs. Popularity” before being crowned as overall winner.

In her new role, Fullerton says she’ll represent the international beauty pageant franchise that’s based in Myanmar. “Our mission is to empower married women and leverage our platforms for social good.”

Fullerton plans to use her new role as an ambassador to “make a positive impact in the lives of those who need it most.”