I stood behind the black velvet curtain, peeking out at the audience. The crowd stared in awe at contestants strutting confidently across the stage. We were bare, in only our bikinis, but still brave enough to perform. Then, it was my queue. Those thirty or so seconds in front of bright shining lights were faster than I had expected; more exciting than anything I had ever done before in my life.

Since my first pageant in 2014, I've annually participated in the Miss Beloit Pageant. It's a local pageant connected with the Miss America Organization. And it's a scholarship pageant. I'm not sorry that I correct everyone who calls it a beauty pageant. The Miss America Organization "is the nation’s leading advocate for women’s education and the of scholarship assistance to young women in the United States ." And while it is true that contestants participate in a swimsuit competition, this portion is all about confidence, not beauty (Personally, I find the swimsuit portion exhilarating).

Miss America Pageants typically take months of preparation. There are two sections: Outstanding Teen (ages 13-17) and Miss (ages 18-24). Though very similar, teen contestants do not participate in a swimsuit competition but rather a fitness routine. They each have five parts: interview, lifestyle/fitness, talent, evening wear, and on-stage question. While it is not considered part of the competition, contestants are expected to maintain a presence in the community through volunteering and advocating their personal platforms. Miss contestants are also required to raise a minimum of $100 dollars for Miss America's national platform, Children's Miracle Network. Pictured below are Miss Beloit 2016 contestants Natalie Fowler and Emily Gillingham (both Carroll students!) at a Culver's Scoopie night parading the "princesses" around.

Though I personally haven't won a title, I do understand what the Miss America Pageant is all about. It's a scholarship pageant. You only get out of it what you put in. Preparations for a pageant take tons of hard work. If you don't practice your interview, talent, or your walking patterns you aren't going to be at your best. If you don't partake in community outreach, you might not have as much support. If you participate in a pageant, I'm not saying you have to drop everything in order to win, but you do have to make an effort. Given that, even if you do everything you possibly can you still may not win the crown. But then again, everything happens for a reason.

In 2014, when I participated in Miss Beloit's Outstanding Teen for the first time, I didn't fully understand what I had become a part of. I hadn't realized that I would mature as much as I have, strive to be a humanitarian, and develop interview skills of envious renown. The people that I have met while participating in pageants have, so far, been the kindest, most helpful, and most inspirational people in my life. I have to thank them every day for how much they have helped me grow and mature as a young woman. I hadn't realized when I stepped onto the stage I was also becoming part of a family.

Pictured (L-R): Terri Gile, Sara Nachreiner, Miss Beloit's Outstanding Teen 2015: Chassidy Walworth, Miss Beloit 2015: Kylie Thompson, Sue and Mark Siekierski, Stephanie Lake-Melton

Pictured: Miss Beloit 2015, Kylie Thompson, and 1st Runner-Up, Kati Laidig, sharing a hug after the crowning ceremony