Let's get something cleared up before we begin. A common misconception of The Miss America Organization is that we simply parade around in gowns and swimsuits and call it a day.

The idea that this is true is both insulting and completely untrue.

The Miss America Organization is a non profit organization that provides scholarships to its winners and participants. Therefore, when these young ladies compete, they earn scholarship money as well as opportunities to advance their education and career. Also, we must submit our report cards as apart of the pageant process. The contestants really do display brains AND beauty.

Here are some other ways we contribute more than a pretty face to our title:

1. We serve our community through events and appearances that we create/ attend.

2. To compete, you must create your own platform- an area of interest that you raise awareness for.

3. We must be politically aware because we have to be prepared to answer an onstage question in front of hundreds of people.

4. An interview with the judges is a considerable amount of our score, reiterating that personality and intelligence are two key qualities.

5. We must lead a healthy lifestyle, but that doesn't mean we are all stick thin. Muscle weighs more than fat, and we worry about being healthy, not looking slim.

6. The Miss America network is the number one provider of scholarship money to young women- over $6 million to be exact.

7. We must have a talent to perform at the pageant.

8. We have a national day of service where all the local, state, and national titleholders must go out and volunteer within their community.

9. Miss America raises money for Children's Miracle Network through the pageants every year.

10. To compete in a state pageants, contestants must raise a MINIMUM of $100 for CMN.

11. A total of $45 million worth of scholarships are presented throughout the year to Miss America contestants at the state and national level.

12. Miss America promotes a sisterhood, not a competition.

Every titleholder truly loves what they do when they become apart of the Miss America Organization. Over my three years of experience with the network I have grown into a much more capable, outgoing, and well-rounded individual. Not only has the organization prepared me for job interviews, but it has also prepared me for leadership in my community as well as in my workplace. I recommend joining the Miss America sisterhood to every girl I meet. It is an experience that is like none other, and I have made friendships that will last a lifetime.

We are so much more than what is shown on TV and in movies. We are so much more than just a crown, and we are so, so much more than just a pretty face.