In a recent pageant interview, I was asked the question… “What do you think shows like ‘Here Comes Honey Boo Boo and Toddlers and Tiaras’ do to portray an image of pageantry? “

Well, these questions tend to get me a bit heated, in a good way. These shows are not bad in any way, I even watch them from time to time, but there is more for people to know about the pageant world than is portrayed on these shows.

I entered pageantry in high school, very wary of what it would be like. I didn’t want to be looked at as one of those ditsy girls that liked wearing a lot of makeup and putting on an overpriced dress. Thank the Lord that I discovered that pageantry is so much more than that, especially when it comes to the Miss America Organization. Even though I have just gotten started in this system and I haven’t been able to make it to Miss Georgia, I have learned that it isn’t all about the glitz and the glam of it all.

First of all, many girls say that they have met a lot of their best friends through pageantry and it may seem like the friendships tend to be superficial but that is the farthest from the case. I have gone through many, many obstacles since starting college and the best friends that have helped me through the worst times (You know who you are and you are my heart!!) I met when we were preparing for an interview and putting on highlighter.

Second, knowing how to professionally and level-headedly share your opinion on illegal immigration and health care reforms is not the easiest in the world. It takes thought, practice, and knowledge. So that shuts down anyone who says pageants are about being pretty and wearing the perfect lipstick. It takes time, effort and hard work to stay up to date and well-informed on everything happening in our country and our relations with other nations.

In addition to all of these things, we are all required to share a platform on which we take a stand. Having this individual passion that we all get to share gets to show judges and audiences of what things truly reside in our hearts. These are the topics we have a passion for, what drives us and what spark a fire within our thoughts. There is always something in our lives that has changed us or sets us apart from others and getting to share that is something I know we all so enjoy.

So, honestly the shows that are portrayed to be “reality TV” usually aren’t reality and the drama that is portrayed tends to make the show worth watching because we get a good laugh out of it.

I am forever grateful to the mentors and lessons that I have learned and have learned from through just simply participating in preliminary pageants within the organization. This was the first scenario in life where I really learned how to pick myself up after “defeat” and keep going. Sometimes it just isn’t our time to wear the crown. Sometimes it’s someone else’s time that God has divinely set in place. We have to trust his timing because His timing is perfect, not ours. Being able to connect with the people that are put in our path is all due to everything happening at the right time, so thinking about that when competing in pageants or in anything really, is so important.

Since this pageant season is starting up I just want to wish all of the sweet girls that are competing… Good Luck!! This is more than just winning, this is about being who you are and not trying to please others, being confident in every answer and making sure that it is true to who you are. Everything, everything, works out the way it needs to be, even if we can’t see that clearly now. So, knock ‘em dead and good luck!! I love you!!

To those who aren’t involved in pageants, I hope you were able to glimpse into our world and what it’s really like. We love it and hope that others can appreciate the crazy, amazing, beautiful world that it is.