In the fifth grade, Martell was diagnosed with alopecia areata and subsequently lost all her hair. Martell had competed in the Mission Delaware pageant four other times. Three times without a wig.
Martell plans to use her platform to raise awareness for alopecia areata.
Martell placed in the Top 10 at the Mission America 2011 pageant. Martell had previously won Mission Kent County in order to compete in the Mission Delaware competition. During the state competition, she also won the pageant community service award, the state community service award, and the Thursday evening gown and Friday swimsuit competitions. Martell made it to a semifinalist round in the 2011 Mission America pageant, becoming the first bald contestant in Mission America history.
