From "Toddlers & Tiaras" to Miss Universe, pageants are always notated as a competition showing the unrealistic side of women. Sure, women are walking across the stage sometimes with bathing suits, butt glue, and a ton of glitter. It takes a special person to put her self on display, but at times women are changing themselves just to be called the winner of the rhinestone prize, the crown.

Don't believe me? Well, I'll be honest... I was that girl.

"I'm just a girl from Sterling Heights"

Miss Michigan Outstanding Teen 2013Julia Smith

I started competing in the Miss America Organization at the age of 13 very young and not knowing a lot about myself or the organization I was going into. I think my innocence of not really knowing how a pageant works set me apart from the other contestants. Winning Miss Michigan teen was an unexplainable feeling I will never forget. When I was holding the hands of the other competitor waiting to hear who would take the crown, for a moment time was so still. What felt like a ray of light would come into my life with so much opportunity. Through the title, I grew into the woman I needed to be, learned about my community, and most importantly who I didn't want to be.

This Organization provided me the opportunity to attend college debt free which is an opportunity I am very grateful for. The many women who compete are able to use their voice, make a difference in their community, and achieve their dreams with whatever education they need to do so. These women are your leaders, doctors, and most importantly the STRONG WOMEN we need in this world.

Was it just a fluke?

Julia Smith

Last year, I got back into competing and I expected to have my dreams come true as they did in 2013. Sure, I was the same human bean, but I wasn't myself. I started nitpicking my look, getting in my head, and comparing myself to the other contestants. I realized I wasn't winning and I wasn't enjoying the time I performed on stage. The women that knew me approached me and questioned why I wasn't myself. So, I took a minute to find the light that shined back in 2013 and find my passion for why I liked doing pageants in the first place.

Listen up, ladies

Even If you're not competing in a pageant or you're competing to be the next Miss America, here are some tips to keep in your mind.

Who are you?

Every contestant submits a resume, but do you know yourself? Sometimes our mind is more focused on the outcome of a pageant and changes themselves to win the crown. In the process, many forget who they are because they may not be skinny enough, have right hair color, or the right wardrobe. The answer is "what makes you happy"? Many change themselves and don't win and leave with no crown and no self-pride. When I lost, I forgot all the hard work I put into the moment and didn't enjoy it because I was worried about all the wrong things.

Don't change!

Back to the clothes, many spend thousands upon thousands of dollars on dresses you may only wear once. Sometimes I feel like pageants are more glamorous than my wedding day will ever be. The only way to be yourself is to wear and talk about the things that make you happy. It doesn't matter if you have the perfect dress, shoes, or hair, If you don't fit the mold, make the mold fit you!

Be transparent!

In the last pageant I competed in, I was asked, "what quality do you possess that makes you stand out in this competition"? The ability to be transparent is something I believe is very important in a pageant and most importantly in life. Knowing yourself and letting others know who you really are is one of the hardest parts of life. Many put on this mask to prevent others to see them for who they really are. Be bold, say what you want, be who you want, and if people don't like it, then OH WELL! Being yourself is what makes you stand out.

1st runner-up? I'll take it!

Julia Smith and Gamma Phi Beta SistersJulia Smith

After finding myself, I got back into competing. I might have not won, but I have never felt more accomplished in my life. Once again, I had the ability to feel confident in who I was as a person, love my body, and have no insecurities, and I have never felt this strong. I was overwhelmed by the amount of support from my loved ones who were proud of me either way. I was so happy for the winner because I know everyone wanted to win the crown and everyone worked hard to be on that stage. I believe that everyone has their time to shine and it wasn't our time.

I feel humbled, moved, and proud to be the women I am now. I am excited to continue to explore this power that has been instilled in me and hope to empower others to find their inner queen, with or without the crown! In the beginning, I express that winning a pageant allowed me to see the woman I didn't want to be. Being a part of this unique competition we call a pageant, is harder than it looks. When people ask me why I compete, I tell them if a woman is able to be and show who she really is on a stage for people to judge her every move, She must be a strong individual. I am very fortunate to have this ability because I found myself through the glitter.