For anyone who doesn’t follow the news of pageant girls you’re in for a real treat. If you are already a bellowed follower like I am, then you’re in for a real big treat. This previous weekend the Miss Teen USA pageant was held in Las Vegas. The Miss Teen USA pageant is the sister pageant to the Miss USA pageant that is not to be mistaken for the Miss America pageant. The Miss USA and the Miss America pageants are two completely different organizations specializing in different areas of focus, while both being very spectacular none the less.
In order to be in the competition for the Miss Teen USA pageant you must first live in one of the great 50 states. Then you must apply, be accepted, go through a phone interview, fill out paperwork, prepare, organize all of the things you need. It’s not just a “beauty pageant”. The state pageants are 3-4 days long of preparation and interview, pictures, and scheduling. One girl walks away with the bellowed crown and a new life. Yet, she worked hard to get that crown. Then, all 50 states of the Miss Teen USA girls compete for Miss Teen USA. Pretty easy right, well actually no.
These girls are all of the best of the best of the 50 states! They come together for an even longer pageant experience than what they did for the state pageants and again only one girl will walk away with the title of Miss Teen USA. So if you’re still with me, you realize that these girls have worked hard to get to this point.
Our very own Miss Missouri Teen USA, Dallas Ezard, who is so kind, has worked hard to be in the best physical shape, and has made an impact all over the state of Missouri with her title. She is not only a role model but and important figure for young and old to admire and look up too. She made us proud at Miss Teen USA finishing in the Top 15!
But back to the Miss Teen USA pageant---because a lot of heat has brought this pageant into the nation's spotlight.
First of all, the top five contestants were all very identical, meaning the top five were all blonde haired and blue eyed. Each and every one of the top five should feel so honored and proud of themselves. Yet so many are criticizing the judges and the Miss Teen USA system about not having enough diversity amongst the contenders.
Maybe it's just me, but when I pulled up the roster for all 50 Miss Teen USA contestants, I witnessed first-hand diversity. Sure I can’t tell you what was in the judge's head while they went through the first few rounds of competition and I can’t tell you how each girl performed and neither can you since we didn’t see it first hand. But what I can tell you is that all of these haters are just going to keep sippin’ on their hat’r’ade because it just takes a few minutes to realize what I’ve just told you.
All of these girls have worked so hard to get to the Miss Teen USA stage so why are we trying to take away all of their accomplishments? Let's give a moment of silence fort all of the girls who competed, to the current Miss Teen USA- Karlie Hay, and to all of the unspoken girls who competed at the state level. You girls rock.
