Standing on a stage in a swimsuit, evening gown, and answering questions about what is going on in the world is a very difficult thing to do. Sure it sounds easy to get all dolled up and smile and look pretty but it actually is not as easy as it seems. First off, walking and standing in six inch heels all night and not being able to sit down because your dress is too tight and you don’t want to wrinkle it feels like you’re literally standing on a saw. Second, wearing an evening gown gets very hot backstage and on stage under the heat that comes from the bright lights or standing in the dressing room that has no air conditioning. It’s so hard to go on stage and not look like you’re sweating bullets while wearing the biggest smile on your face. Lastly, wearing a bikini on stage in front of even just five people is awkward, let alone wearing one in front of hundreds of people. As a semi-self-conscious person, that is something that I am afraid of doing, although I have done it before. I can say, from experience, that it takes a very brave individual to be able to model in a swimsuit for the audience and the judges.

Watching the live streaming of the Miss Florida USA 2017 pageant, I saw around 67 gorgeous young women do all of those things that seem so simple but are actually scary and not so easy to do. Not being able to actually attend the pageant was upsetting, as I know a handful of girls personally who competed in the pageant. However, being able to virtually watch them sparkle and shine through the screen of my iPhone 6 was truly an honor. I am so proud of all of the girls who had the courage to compete in every category of the pageant and put themselves out there to see if they would become the next Miss Florida USA. I am especially proud of Kirby Keller, Leighton Baruch, Kelli Wilson, and Whitney Moore for their amazing hard work that they put into this pageant. I feel honored to know these girls on a personal basis and that I have these amazing role models in my life. They remind me that having fun and going after what I want in life is all that matters. Each of these ladies are the full package. They are not only beautiful and intelligent, but they are also beautiful on the inside.

Although none of these girls became the 2017 Miss Florida USA, I am still very proud of all that they have accomplished. These women competed in local pageants to receive titles like Miss Volusia County USA and Miss Jacksonville USA to be able to compete at the state level. Competing to represent the state that you live in and love is a big deal and I hope that they are proud of themselves for making it as far as they did. They truly are confidently beautiful ladies and I hope that they never forget that.