Being a pageant girl is nothing like you see on "Toddlers and Tiaras" -- it's competing for a title or cause that you find important in your life. Through pageants I have met some of my best friends from all walks of life and, believe it or not, I still keep in contact with them today. Pageants, to me, are a one of a kind, genuine experience that I have never been able to receive in any other activity and it lead me to some of the jobs I have today. Here are a few reasons why pageants are worth your time --

1. The girls

The girls (and sometimes boys) you will meet are some of the most genuine, god-loving girls who will continually lift you up as you strut across that stage. Every girl I have met has been different from me in many ways, yet we all seem extremely similar because we all have this event in common. The girls you will meet all are competing for something they believe in, too, making their likes and dislikes similar to yours. No matter who you are or where you come from, these girls make the experience one of a kind.

2. Outfit Hunting

Searching for that perfect opening number dress and your show-stopping evening gown are some of the most fun moments leading up to pageant day. Spending a day figuring out which gown makes you look and feel like the princess you are boosts your confidence levels and helps you recognize how beautiful you can truly feel about yourself. It also is the best way to show your personality to the judges, so finding the dress that you feel the most comfortable in and shows your true self is key!

3. The Interviews

Every pageant system I have competed in has required members to participate in a formal interview process. This process prepared me for things such as job interviews and sorority recruitment. The questions can range from insanely deep and though provoking to playful to anything regarding your application, all depending on the system you are competing in and what values and characteristics they are looking for in terms of the cause you are competing to represent.

4. Confidence

Pageants taught me how to be comfortable in my own skin and how to show that to the world. This is your stage the moment you step foot on it, so you take every moment you have and own it. The more you start to own that stage, the more you begin to realize that win or lose, you're beautiful, just like every person on this planet is, and you should never think otherwise.

Participating in pageants show you how you can be graceful, beautiful, and talk like a pro all while allowing you to be yourself and show the world who you truly are!