Back in May, shortly after attaining the title of Miss Long Island for the national pageant, I wrote this article: https://www.theodysseyonline.com/what-national-ame... . Since then, I've grown as a writer, as a human, as a college student, and as a young adult. So without futher ado, here's a sequel to that article?

As many of you know, I recently competed at the National pageant for National American Miss for the first time. Although I have received invitations in 2014 and 2013, I was unable to attend due to financial constraints and the New York pageant being held six weeks before Nationals. However, this past year, I applied for the Miss division and while I did not win Miss New York, I attained the title of Miss Long Island and competed as a city queen in the All-American Miss division at nationals. The four state pageants I’ve competed in since 2012 were AMAZING, but nothing compares to NAM Nationals so far. It was an exhausting week filled with blisters, early mornings, late nights, and busy days. However, the week was also one of the best weeks I’ve ever had in my almost 21 years of life. It was an unforgettable adventure, and while I did not place, I came home with four trophies, my crown and banner, some new NAM swag, some amazing new friends and unforgettable memories.

As I conclude my fifth and second to last year in the National American Miss system, I can’t help but step back and marvel at the young woman I’ve become. Those of you who knew me prior to 2012 can see how much I’ve grown. I would not be even close to this outgoing, super optimistic, friendly girl I am today. Never in a million years would I have been confident enough in myself to voice my opinions or go to a party on my own. If all the people who have met me in college had met me five years ago, they would not believe that I’m the same girl. I’m not afraid to use my voice or stand up for what is right. My face lights up when I talk about this pageant.

The miss division is the oldest division in this specific system. It’s an appointed title for girls aged 19 and 20 as of January 1^st of that year. There’s no state competition for this level, due to the fact that we’re all 19, 20, 21 years old and are all in college or even in the real world. The process consists of a phone interview, a resume, a short essay, and a head shot. The winners get to represent their state as the miss queen at nationals and the runner ups attain city queen titles and compete in the all – American miss competition at nationals, which is basically the same thing, but with one less finale dance.

Because we’re in the oldest division, many of the girls in both the state queen competition and the all American miss competition have been competing for years. Some of the girls have been competing in NAM since it’s creation in 2003, or for seven, eight, or even nine years. Some of the miss competitors are former national titleholders and some of us, like myself, have never won a title and this is our first national pageant. In the waiting room for interview, one of the staff members told us that we can put NAM on our resumes and in job interview’s they will say “oh, you were in a beauty pageant?” and she told us to tell them “no, I was in a confident pageant.” Because honestly, that’s what National American Miss is. It’s the complete opposite from Toddlers and Tiaras. It’s all about following your dreams, gaining confidence, and learning real world person skills. I’ve started standing taller without even realizing it, worn heels more at nationals than I’ve ever worn in my entire life, and learned valuable interview skills and tips. I’ve learned how to sit up straighter, practiced making eye contact, which is something I’ve had trouble with since I was little, and I’ve come out of my shell.

National American Miss has taught me to believe in myself. The system is focused on being a girl with dreams, which is one of the biggest themes of this pageant. Whether you’re a five year old in the princess division, or a 20 year old in the miss division, this pageant is focused on ambitions and community service. Now, as I start aging out (I have one more year! Don’t worry NAM, I’ll be back competing next November at nationals!) I’ve been looking into other pageant systems. While I’ve heard some amazing things about some of them, I’m terrified that none of them will compare to NAM. The excitement you feel when you’re standing backstage ready for formal wear and hear the “NAM” soundtrack all NAM girls know, can’t compare to anything else I’ve done so far.

During nationals, I started tearing up at orientation. Being in the miss division is hard. It’s our last or second to last year, and whether you’ve competed for two years or twelve years, you’re part of an amazing organization and an amazing family. Next year’s going to be tough. It’s going to be tough to say goodbye to something that’s been such a major influence and part of my life for what will be six years. That’s a quarter of my life. We know the saying “old queens never leave, they just become staff!” and I hope that I can one day work for this amazing organization. I can’t thank Steve and Kathleen Mayes enough for creating this organization. I wouldn’t be the girl I am today without it.

And to think, it all started with an envelope in the mail and an open call.