1. Becoming comfortable in an interview setting

After countless interviews in front of a panel of judges, a job interview is not intimidating. I feel prepared and relaxed in situations that may seem stressful to other people my age. This is a skill I will carry with me throughout my professional career.

2. Having confidence speaking in front of a large audience

Public speaking is the #1 fear of Americans. To put that in perspective, #2 is death. Most people don’t get the opportunity to build the skill of public speaking, so they avoid it. Through pageantry, I have gained the confidence to speak my mind and feel comfortable talking to large groups of people. This builds skills for leadership positions later in life.

3. A love for serving others

Many pageants give the contestants an opportunity to find something they are passionate about through a platform. For some girls, that may be helping children in a hospital setting. Others may do work to assist families being effected by food insecurity. I, personally, have had a passion for service my entire life, but for others, this may be the path to discovering something that is important to them. This develops depth and character, and gives women the opportunity to make an impact in their community.

4. Learning how to do hair and makeup

This is a skill that goes far beyond pageants. Having the resources (and knowledge) to look presentable and professional are important for any young woman.

5. Fitness

No, I’m not talking about being skinny. However, if I am going to be on stage in fitness attire or a swimsuit, it makes me more cognizant of a healthy lifestyle. Achieving "fitness" differs from one person to another, but to me, it is training hard to look and feel my best. As a titleholder, I gained a support system, along with the resources to create healthy meals, as well as learning exercises to feel strong and empowered. I developed a lifestyle that I am able to maintain long after my pageant days are over.

There are countless more qualities I have learned in my pageant experiences that I will benefit me professionally, socially, and physically. Despite the many negative stereotypes that are prevalent in our society, I truly believe that involvement in pageantry benefits many aspects of a woman's life.