EAU CLAIRE, WI (WEAU/NBC News) The newly crowned Little Miss Wisconsin is using a unique personal experience to show kids that beauty shines from the inside out.

Joslyn Larson walked away with the crown last weekend after competing in her first Little Miss Wisconsin United States pageant. Her parents say they were more nervous than she was. 

The 8-year-old is not your typical beauty queen. Joslyn was diagnosed with Alopecia Areata two years ago. Alopecia causes hair loss from some or all areas of the body. Joslyn’s hair loss began slowly but recently has progressed.

“I definitely had a moment of panic when we walked in and they were doing hair and makeup and you see all the girls with their big curls,” said Joslyn’s mom, Jaclyn.

Joslyn wore headbands to cover the hair loss, until one day she came home and told her family she wanted to shave her head and tell everyone about her condition. 

“My hair was falling out anyways and I thought it was really annoying me so I shaved everything off,” said Joslyn.

She now confidently sports her hat collection to school and when her head gets cold. “The best choice we had was to make sure she was confident, and comfortable and happy. That’s the best medicine we could give her,” says Joslyn’s mom.