Beyond the Dress: Selia “Fuerza Imparable” Rendon

 ‘It's not about the dress, it's about the woman in the dress’

A Crown, a Cause, and a Community

The moment Selia Rendon heard her name called as Miss South Texas 2026, she stood stunned—mouth open, tears filled with joy, heart racing. But for those who know her, the crown wasn’t just a symbol of pageantry. It was proof of her unstoppable force. Or as she’s known in Delta Tau Lambda Sorority, Inc., Fuerza Imparable.

Selia “Fuerza Imparable” Rendon, a proud sister of Delta Tau Lambda Sorority, Inc.'s Alpha Chapter (Spring 2024), doesn’t wear the crown for glamor. She wears it for purpose, for impact, and for the young girls watching from the audience who’ve been told they don’t belong.

The Power Behind the Gown

Selia’s journey didn’t begin under stage lights—it began in quiet moments of self-doubt, shaped by a childhood speech impediment that made speaking to anyone outside her family feel overwhelming. “I had no confidence to speak to anyone other than my family,” she recalls.

Her mother’s unexpected solution? Pageants.

“At just five years old, she put me on stage,” Selia shares with a smile. “She believed it would help me open up—and it did.”

What started as a way to overcome fear soon evolved into something bigger. Pageantry became her training ground—not just in poise and presentation, but in personal growth and resilience. “I wouldn’t have landed the internships or jobs I’ve had without pageants,” she says. “They gave me confidence, communication skills, and the courage to step into any room knowing I belonged.”

Debunking the Pageant Myth

To those who still see pageants as superficial—glitz, glam, and not much else—Selia responds with conviction.
“Miss America is the largest scholarship provider to women,” she said. “It’s not just about being onstage in a dress. It’s about public speaking, community impact, and personal growth.”

Her platform? Financial literacy.

As a first-generation college student from a low-income background, she’s seen firsthand how access to financial education can change a family’s future. From hosting local workshops to speaking at schools, she’s turning her personal challenges into collective empowerment.

“It’s about bridging the gap,” she said. “I’m showing girls who look like me that they can do it too.”

The Woman in the Prom Dress

One of her pageant gowns was her high school prom dress. Her interview outfit? A $20 find from Ross.

“I never had an expensive dress,” Selia admitted. “I’m often at a disadvantage from girls who can afford thousand-dollar gowns. But I’ve learned it’s not about the dress—it’s about the woman in the dress.”

That mantra has become her signature. And it’s what powered her performance in South Texas, where she had the highest evening dress score.

Legacy in Her Blood

Selia’s drive runs deep. She’s not just a sister in Delta Tau Lambda—she’s a legacy.

Her aunt, Alejandra “Indomitable” Zarate, joined DTL’s Eta Chapter in Spring 2011. Over a decade later, Selia followed in her footsteps, bringing not only pride to her family but a renewed sense of purpose to the sisterhood.

“DTL taught me to speak with conviction,” Selia said. “Pageants helped me find my voice. DTL taught me what to do with it.”

As Treasurer of her chapter, she doubled its funds, applying the same financial savvy she's promoting across her community—and standing firm in the organization’s pillar of service.

Don’t Talk About It. Be About It.

When asked what advice she’d give to young women watching her journey, Selia paused.

“Once you find your why, put action to it,” she said. “You can post words on social media, but it means nothing without action behind it.”

For her, that “why” is family. It’s community. It’s every young girl who wonders if her dreams are too big.

“There’s always a way in,” Selia says. “If you want it badly enough, you’ll find a way.”

What’s Next?

With her eyes set on Miss Texas 2026, Selia has nearly a year to prepare. It’s a fierce competition, spanning 10 days and welcoming over 50 counties.

But Selia isn’t just preparing dresses. She’s preparing workshops, school visits, and community outreach.

She’s already looking for sponsors, including for nails and aesthetics, while also fundraising through creative channels like Super Bowl squares.

You can follow her story, cheer her on, or connect directly at:

@misssouthtexastx

@miss.seliarendon

She’s not just chasing a crown—she’s making a difference in her community. And she’d love to have you be part of it.