Miss Alaska America

I had the opportunity to call in to Dan Fagan's radio show and share a little about my experience in the pageant community and as Mrs. Alaska so far this year. I was grateful for the opportunity to give Dan's listeners some insight about what "pageant girls" are really like and what being a titleholder really involves. Alot of people (including Dan's producer) seem to have a dislike for all things pageants, including their contestants. Maybe it's because these girls are showing courage they could never muster, unabashedly standing up for something they're passionate about; maybe it's because they represent grace and poise they don't have the discipline to develop; or maybe it's because they're achieving goals they never had the motivation to set. Whatever the reason, people , especially women, seem to enjoy making themselves feel better by tearing down or poking fun at pageant contestants.

I don't deny that there are those famous pageant moments that make us all cringe; moments where contestants have misspoken or showed a lapse in judgement that leads to ridicule and mockery from the public. But, haven't we seen and heard the same from all kinds of celebrities, even dignitaries, in our society? If we don't expect our President to speak without error is it fair for us to expect it of pageant contestants, (let alone, do that AND be able to look fit and confident in a swimsuit while wearing 4 inch heels?!)

The bottom line is contestants are comfortable and confident enough with themselves and satisfied with their lives enough that they're willing to stand up and say, "Here I am, this is me, go ahead and judge me, but in my eyes I'm already a good enough me."

Their motivation can be personal-setting a fitness or weight loss goal, learning about their ideals and beliefs, mastering a fear of public speaking or many other facets of personal development. I don't know anyone who thinks knowing who you are and feeling great about it as a negative thing, so why would they see participating in a pageant as a way to develop that confidence as a negative thing? Their motivation can be financial-many young women receive scholarship money as part of their prize package for winning a title. In fact, last year, the Miss America Organization and its state and local organizations made available more than $45 million in cash and scholarship assistance. This assistance is not just for the handful of young women who become Miss America, but is available to the over 12,000 young women who compete in the state and local competitions as well. This allows girls who compete, not just win pageants to receive scholarships to further their education. I don't know anyone who thinks education is a negative thing, so why would competing in a pageant as a means to afford that education be seen as a negative thing? Their motivation can be altruistic- seizing an opportunity to promote a platform and stand up for a cause they are passionate about on a larger stage. I don't know anyone who thinks giving of your time, resources and self to make a positive impact on the world is a negative thing, so why would they think doing so on a pageant stage or as a titleholder is a negative thing?
Now, mind you, this isn't coming from a gal who's been around the pageant world her whole life. In fact, I attended (and participated in!) my first ever pageant just over a year ago. Since then, I've never once been disappointed by the contestants at any pageant I've watched or participated in. These women are strong and confident, genuine and passionate. They're a balance of professionalism and intelligence, fitness and beauty, community service and in the Mrs. system, marriage and family. To anyone who has a negative opinion of these women, I'd say, do a pageant, get a first hand look about what it's really all about. Walk a mile in our shoes (and our swimsuits and our evening gowns!) It isn't easy, it's hard work and for me, personally, it, it's been oh so worth it! Just the experience of sharing the experience with a group of women who not only know, but proudly embrace, who God made them to be has been immense blessing to me.

That's a long segue, but regardless, the point is, I went to the Miss Alaska America pageant on fancy date with my hubby and as I mentioned, this pageant, like all others, didn't disappoint when it came to grace, poise and talent. I even got a chance to chat and catch up a bit with my Mrs. counterpart, Tracy Zadra, Mrs. Alaska America. The Miss and Teen contestants all showed remarkable eloquence and impressed with their maturity and dazzled with their talents. I'm always surprised at the variety and creativity these girls show in the talent portion of the competition. One of the contestants (whose mom is a former Dimond math teacher) actually did a statistics equation set to a musical parody "I will derive." There's something you don't see in every pageant! Lem and I had a great time and I commend each of the contestants on their outstanding performance.