BOCA RATON, Fla., June 11, 2026 | Madeline Grace Asbell has spent the past three years working to make sure Caregiving Youth are recognized and supported. Now, she is bringing that issue to a statewide stage.

Madeline, a National Spokesperson for the American Association of Caregiving Youth (AACY) and the founder of Giving Grace: Advocating for Caregiving Youth, will compete for the title of Miss Texas’ Teen 2026 from June 21 through 27 at the Eisemann Center in Richardson, Texas. She earned her place at the state competition as Miss Metroplex’s Teen 2026.

Miss Texas’ Teen is part of the Miss Texas Scholarship Organization, the official Texas preliminary to the Miss America program. The program gives participants opportunities to develop public-speaking skills, showcase their talents, advance social-impact initiatives, and earn educational scholarships. The titleholder will represent Texas on the Miss America’s Teen stage.

For Madeline, the competition is an opportunity to raise awareness of Caregiving Youth and the support they need.

An estimated 5.4 million children and teens in the United States provide care for a family member who is sick, injured, disabled, or aging. Their responsibilities may include managing medications, preparing meals, and assisting with mobility, all while going to school and growing up.

Many do not know there is a name for what they are doing. Many adults do not recognize them as caregivers or understand the support they may need.

Madeline founded Giving Grace at age 14. Since then, she has advocated before the Austin City Council and helped advance a research partnership between the University of Texas at Austin and Austin Public Health. She also worked with AACY to establish an official pilot program in Leander Independent School District that allows eligible students to receive community service hours for their caregiving responsibilities.

She has spoken with educators, care managers, nurses, social workers, and military families about the importance of identifying and supporting Caregiving Youth.

She also recently helped convene a panel on Caregiving Youth at the Aging Life Care Association’s annual conference in Austin, bringing together AACY founder Connie T. Siskowski, Jodi O’Donnell-Ames, founder of Hope Loves Company, and Patti LaFleur of Lorenzo’s House.

Most recently, Madeline established the Giving Grace Visionary Scholarship for Miss Texas’ Teen delegates. The scholarship has raised $6,000 to date. It is also starting an important conversation. As young women apply, some are sharing their own caregiving experiences and identifying themselves as Caregiving Youth for the first time.

Each time Madeline reaches a new audience, more young people learn that they are not alone. More adults learn that Caregiving Youth are in schools and communities across the country.

AACY is proud to support Madeline Grace Asbell as she carries this message to one of the largest youth stages in Texas.