National American Miss is a pageant that focuses on growing confidence and helping each girl shine from inside out! Over the last 11 years with NAM I have found many things only NAM girls will understand. I have decided to compile a list, you know you're a National American Miss Girl when...

1. When the opening promo video starts before the production number dance, you get goose bumps.

At the beginning of each pageant finale, all the contestants are lined up back stage waiting to run on and do a dance to entertain the crowd, right before they go on, a promo video is shown with loud music, exciting lights and crowning moments! Then you hear the emcee say those magic words "Live from Anaheim, California these are your national delegates!" and you know it's show time!

2. If you haven't hear Joy sing Astonishing, have you even been to a NAM pageant?

The amazing and ever talented Joy Suprano sings a fabulous rendition of Little Women's Astonishing to the outgoing queen before her farewell. And let me tell you, it is breath-taking!

3. You own a least one pair of NAM pajamas.

NAM has amazing parties at every event, but everyone's favorite seems to be the P.J. party! NAM P.J. pants, NAM P.J. shirts, cute NAM socks and even NAM teddy bears! It is a National American Miss must have to have in your closet.

4. Your bedroom looks more like a shrine than a room.

Chances are, if you consider yourself a NAM girl, you have been doing this awhile. Your walls are now covered in pictures, banners and plaques and your shelves are overflowing with trophies! If you are ever having a bad day, all you have to do is walk into your room and see all the accomplishments you have made!

5. Your newsfeeds on Twitter and Instagram are always full of NAM girls.

NAM girls volunteering. NAM girls doing a photo shoot or on t.v. NAM girls hanging out with other NAM girls. No matter what you do, you are constantly seeing red sashes and rhinestones on ever thumb swipe up! But let's be honest, you wouldn't want it any other way.

6. No matter where you go, you always find a NAM sister.

Going away to college? Chances are your new roommate is a NAM girl. Going on vacation? You will probably run into a sister queen at the airport. Random trip to Wal-Mart? You see your NAM friends in aisle 5. You can't escape the sisterhood!

7. You've heard the saying "Old queens never die, they just become staff." a billion times.

Probably because it's true! But it's still bitter sweet when your time is up and you have to give up your title!

8. No matter who you are, being the last name called into the top finalist is the scariest thing ever.

They have called 14 out of the 15 names for the top finalists and you are still on stage. And instead of ripping it off like a band aid, the emcee makes a 20 minute long speech about how proud they are of us. Like, thanks for being proud but we are freaking out over here! Just call the last name already! Finally your name is called and you don't know whether to laugh or cry...so you do both

9. You also know the "I am" speech by heart.

"They are our future doctors, lawyers, performers, teachers and presidents of the United States. She is growing, she if confident, she is kind, she is today's girl, she is National American Miss!"

10. NAMily is forever.

Once you have entered the world of National American Miss, you have become part of the NAMily. We are truly a family at NAM and love our fellow contestants, sister queens and staff more than words can describe. Our lives have been forever changed by National American Miss, and we are incredibly blessed to be part of such a wonderful organization.