The Platform Lexi Rohde Built From Sisterhood

Help Them Watch: The Platform Lexi Rohde Built From Sisterhood

The inspiration behind Lexi Rohde’s platform did not begin with a campaign strategy or public initiative. It began at home, shaped by her relationship with her nonverbal sister, Kelsey.

Rohde describes her as having “a big personality,” a phrase that reflects both joy and complexity. Growing up alongside her required patience, awareness, and the ability to navigate environments that were not always designed for children with special needs.

Rohde, Junior Miss Victoria 2024, did not need to search for a cause. Her understanding of inclusion was developed through lived experience.

“I have experienced first-hand what it is like to experience the struggles of going to the movies with a special needs child,” she says.

That experience became Help Them Watch, a special needs advocacy initiative focused on creating inclusive movie theater experiences across Victoria, Texas, and surrounding communities.

From Be Kind Project to Community Movement

What began as a required Be Kind Project quickly expanded into structured community partnerships. Rohde worked with The Grand Theater in Yoakum to provide a private theater space along with donated concessions. She partnered with The Vine School to organize student field trips and a back-to-school celebration built around an inclusive movie experience. She later raised funds to support additional outings.

Each event is designed with intention. Expectations around silence and stillness are removed. Children are allowed to respond naturally to the film. Families are given space to relax without concern for judgment.

These inclusive entertainment experiences are not positioned as charity. They function as access.

Rohde continues to expand Help Them Watch through local outreach and digital visibility, sharing updates and advocacy through instagram.com/lexi.crowned.with.grace and facebook.com/LexiCrownedWithGrace.

Leadership Rooted in Empathy

Rohde describes herself as kind, driven, and faith-centered, with empathy as a defining strength shaped by her family experience.

She has recently completed training to become a volunteer with a special needs horseback riding program, preparing to begin hands-on service in that space. She also supports Tim Tebow’s Night to Shine, a prom experience designed for teens with special needs.

These environments have expanded her understanding of accessibility while reinforcing her commitment to service.

Her leadership approach is observational and responsive. She listens before acting and prioritizes making individuals feel acknowledged.

“I genuinely care about the people I meet and try to make everyone feel seen and valued,” she says.

Pageantry has strengthened her communication skills and confidence, but her motivation remains consistent.

She identifies a broader issue within her community, a lack of visible, consistent compassion. Her faith informs how she responds to that gap.

“Jesus reminds us to love others because He loves us first, no matter the circumstance.”

A Vision Bigger Than One Title

Rohde’s long-term vision for Help Them Watch extends beyond local events. She plans to expand into additional communities through partnerships with theaters, schools, churches, and organizations that prioritize inclusion.

She also intends to continue competing, using future titles as a platform to increase awareness and mentor younger girls entering pageantry.

Her growth has been both internal and external. Increased visibility has strengthened her confidence, while community response has reinforced the value of her work.

“Always follow your passion & faith in whatever you do because this will always lead you in the right direction.”

For Lexi Rohde, Junior Miss Victoria 2024, inclusion is not a temporary initiative or a title-year project. It is a reflection of her daily life and personal values.

“To me, visibility isn’t just about appearances and shining on stage; it’s about living the title every day.”