Pageants

I have been involved in pageants since 1993 (oh no! my age is showing). In that year I tried out for Miss Hurricane and totally botched the thing. Then in 1994 I tried out again. I had so much fun, played the clarinet (yes I was a band geek) and won. I also tried out for Miss Teen Utah that year where I won 2nd runner up. I have always felt these pageant can do so very much for a girls outlook and view of herself. It changed the person I became. After 1995 I helped with the pageant 1996 on and off till now. I am also directing the Miss Toquerville pageant this year. Double duty is always nice especially when they overlap. Most people think these pageants are just a beauty win and very stupid. I have learned so many valuable lessons from pageants. I have had the opportunity to see girls try out when they are 14 and then come back the next year as a totally different person. I am sure the growing up process has a lot to do with it but I really believe that the pageant teaches these girls to be more sure of themselves. They have to go before 5 judges and talk about themselves, sit correctly with good posture (haven't you even seen a young lady and thought... I need to teach her to sit up straight), stage skills that carry over to presenting themselves on an everyday basis and poise. These are such valuable skills that I believe every young lady should learn. Sadly girls are not taught these things (most) anymore because we are taught we can be just as good as the boys beside us, which is all well and good in the text that a girl can be just as good as a boy. I really wish we could teach the girls to value their femininity and beauty within. THAT is why I love pageants (the right ones, of course).