Pageants: Learning to Grow

Well hello my beautiful guys and dolls how are you today? If you were wondering what that intro.. was well that makes both of us. Today I decided that I would write about something that I have recently became a part of and that is the Miss America Organization! YAY!

Now if you guys are wondering how do you get into this system I honestly cannot tell you I just got thrown into it honestly. But I’m pretty sure a quick Google search could answer all of your questions.

Anyway I recently became a contestant in this organization and the last couple of months have been absolutely insane. In this blog post I will tell you the five things I’ve learned while competing in this program.

5. PAGEANT MOMS ARE REAL.

If you have seen the show “Toddlers and Tiaras” or even “Dance Moms” you can see how crazy the moms can get when their daughters are competing in the competition. They are catty, rude, jealous, mean and just downright unpleasant, but you can’t let them get to you. I have learned to ignore all of the petty drama and focus on the pageant. You are not there to start a fight with anyone, you are not there to compare yourself to the other girls. You are there to receive scholarships for your education and share your platform.

4. TALENT IS EVERYTHING!

If you are a casual viewer of pageants you might think that evening gown would be the thing that the judges score the most on, but you are wrong! In the Miss America system talent counts for 30% of your overall score. 30%!!!!! That is literally insane! When I found this out and I realized how much it was worth I tried my hardest to change my dancing style to match the other girls which was literally my BIGGEST mistake! Do not be afraid to be different! Do not be ashamed of your talent. Whatever you are talented in work on your craft and perfect it.

3. WHAT IS SLEEP? WHAT IS FOOD?

When pageant month rolls around (yes month) you will be competing so much your sleep schedule will be non-existent for while. With that being said please find time to sleep it is very important, but I can promise you, you will not get much of it. With all the practicing for the opening number routines and the nerves from being a contestant sleep is almost a luxury. My last pageant I competed in I woke up around 8am and did not go back to sleep until 2 the next morning! Yes, the next morning! So sleep while you can! Also food! Food is one of those things that a lot of girls try to avoid in pageants, and no it’s not for reasons one would think. It’s because of the nervous jitters. No one wants to sing or dance on full stomach or run the risk of spilling it onto their gorgeous dresses. So yes food is almost not a thing! (But when the pageant is over you can eat as much as you want! I literally ate two Chipotle burritos and I’m not even ashamed.)

2. YOU MEET LIFE-LONG FRINDS.

This is one of the most cliché pageant answers in the history of forever but it’s so true. If you can tell from the picture I have made so many friendships that I will carry on forever. I love how every girl (despite their moms) have similar dreams and aspirations in life. We want to make a difference, we want to find love, we want to share our passions, and yes even find world peace! What I am saying is in my 21 years of life I have never been surrounded by such lovely passionate, talented souls that deserve everything and more from life. These girls have literally become my sisters. We call and text each other constantly. We leave heart emojis under our Instagram posts and the occasional “slay girl” comment. We have bonded over something so much stronger than a title and a crown.

1. YOU LEARN WHO ARE YOU.

In this system I have been pushed to my breaking point. I have walked onstage in a bikini in front of hundreds of people. I have learned to answer a political question onstage within 20 seconds, I have learned that you cannot hide behind a facade (aka me trying to be a jazz dancer) you have to be you. The judges are looking for a honest girl. Someone that is real. Someone that is not all smoke and mirrors but a real honest genuine soul. Someone like you. So I encourage you all to participate in this system. I have learned so much about myself and what I believe in. I have gained the confidence that I did not know I had and have learned to love myself unconditionally. So I challenge any girl out their to start participating in pageants. You will not regret it I promise.