Often times people are very critical of pageants and what it takes to be in pageants. All the makeup, and big hair cause people to turn away because their little girl is pretty enough naturally. I have been competing in pageants since I was a newborn and it has changed my life in so many ways. Pageants are more than the makeup and big hair, they are community service opportunities for young women, along with scholarship opportunities. Here are five ways that pageants have helped me in more ways than one.

1. Scholarships

This past year I was crowned Miss Ashley County and I received a full tuition scholarship to the University of Arkansas at Monticello which has allowed me to be debt free as an incoming freshman. There are several pageants that offer scholarships to their winners including the Miss America System. My sister has been very blessed to attend college the past four years completely paid for because of this wonderful organization. The winner of Miss Arkansas is awarded $25,000 towards tuition and to me that is more important than the big hair and make-up. Scholarships are allowing all of these wonderful women to get a degree without having to pay for any of it.

2. Philanthropy

Most pageants have a philanthropy that they promote throughout their year of service. Miss Arkansas works with Arkansas Children's Hospital and Children's Miracle Network where they have the opportunity to travel to Arkansas Children's Hospital and visit with the children. They also have the opportunity to make cards and notes for the children. Along with the state and national philanthropy each contestant has their own platform.

3. Personal Platform

I am so grateful to be able to have my own personal platform when it comes to competing in pageants. These personal platforms allow each contestant to showcase what they are passionate about. This allows each contestant to work their platform and get involved in the community along with making a difference or addressing a cause.

4. Self Confidence

When it comes to pageants, most pageants have a swimsuit competition. Sometimes the swimsuit competition is one piece and often times it is two piece. Swimsuit is personally my favorite phase of competition, but some girls it takes a lot of self confidence to walk across a stage in 5" heels in a swimsuit. It it never easy knowing that someone is judging you on your body and the way you carry yourself but it also showcases how physically fit a contestant is. Not only do you have to have self confidence on stage but in the personal interview that every contestant has to go through.

5. Interview Skills

Without pageants my interview skills would not be where they are today. In a interview each contestant sits down with the panel of judges and the judges can ask them anything they want from what they like to do for fun to what do you think about the two presidential candidates. A contestant never knows what is being thrown at her so she has to be very prepared when entering into the interview room. I would say that girls that participate in pageants are more likely to be prepared for a job interview after they are finished competing that before they began competing.

With all that being said if you have a little girl, put her in a pageant because in the long run it will be very beneficial to her in so many ways. I am very thankful that my mom placed me in pageants 18 years ago.