Oceanside's Lexi Christensen Wins Ms. Atlantic Coast Petite, Heads to Nationals

Lexi Christensen grew up on the waterways of Long Island. Now, at 27, she is heading to Chicago to compete on a national stage, carrying a crown she still can hardly believe is hers.

Christensen, an Oceanside native, captured the Ms. Atlantic Coast Petite 2026 title in December 2025 after competing in several regional events. The win, she admits, caught her off guard. "It was honestly shocking," she said. "I didn't expect to get this far so quickly. It's exciting, but also nerve-racking."

She will represent the Atlantic Coast at the Ms. USA Petite national pageant in Chicago in July, where contestants from across the country will compete for the national title. Standing 5 feet 3, Christensen competes within the Petite USA pageant system, which is open to women under 5 feet 6 inches and built around challenging conventional beauty standards while emphasizing community service and personal growth.

For Christensen, the appeal of the system was immediate. "I feel like there's not much representation for women who don't fit the typical modeling or pageant height," she said. "This system celebrates women from all walks of life. Some contestants are married, some have children. It's very diverse and supportive."

She began her official appearances as Ms. Atlantic Coast Petite in January, having deliberately waited until the new year out of respect for the outgoing titleholder.

Her platform, "Preserving the Beauty of Our Coastlines," is not simply a pageant talking point. By day, Christensen works as a water quality specialist for Liberty Utilities, where she focuses on ensuring safe drinking water for communities across Long Island. The coastal advocacy she champions through the crown is a direct extension of work she already does professionally, rooted in a childhood spent near Long Island's waterways and a deep appreciation for the ecosystems that surround them.

The July national competition will be her biggest stage yet, and she is arriving with both credentials and conviction.