capture the missouri crown '09
If I had all the money in the world, I would have been back in Springfield, Missouri this weekend for the three days leading up to the crowning of the 2009 Miss Missouri USA and Miss Missouri Teen USA girls. Knowing that for two young ladies from Missouri, this is the night that there hard work, stage presence and outgoing personalities grants them the chance to don a sash and crown for a year as the newest family member of Vanbros and Associates.
Every year, John and his sister Jennifer (who just had her second baby!) and the rest of the Vannatta clan work diligently making 100+ women across the state shine amazingly in the state pageant where in three short yet jam-packed days and nights of public appearances, autograph signings, rehearsals and welcome dinners through the host city lives are changed and affected for the better.
Put yourself in their shoes for one moment, if you never have before. Think of what the "pageant" experience offers for thousands of young women every year across the country coming from all walks of life. The USA system was my only introduction to pageants and I could never say anything but how valuable they can be if you bring an open mind and unbiased attitude to the competition. First and foremost, it's a competition. Not with the other girls. With yourself, it's as true as it is cliche.
Making the most of every minute with the other delegates, you are thrust into the spotlight~ now is the time to use all the qualities that sets you apart from the other girls. It's a delicate balance of poise, quiet confidence, humble humility with a little sass and the smarts to hold a conversation with young and old.
Yes, the emotional investment is a must and the ability to walk a fine line between maintaining focus on the ultimate prize while being "in the moment" is just as critical. And, then, boom! Three days are in the past, all the days of working out to achieve that perfect 10 in your two-piece has gotten you here. Reading up on all your articles, newspapers and current events has got your brain on alert as you answer your line of questions prepared by Miss Central Missouri Teen USA (the tanned brunette in a gold sequins gown that looks like liquid metal standing to your right on the stage) and your gown your neighbor helped you alter is ill-fitting but you feel good! You're ready for the conclusion no matter what the outcome, although your energy is good, you feel like you are a tiger who can whip the world! (That's for you, Jen!)
The many hours of rehearsing on stage makes the night a piece of cake as you walk your routes for the three phases of competition and you showed major attitude during the opening number dance routine. You're having the time of your life, quickly changing with the 100 other girls in a large room in the theatre hall... no time for anything other than positive thoughts and an open mind to what might just happen tonight! Then, the time arrives. You have made the cut from the entire group to ten, then five girls, now you find yourself standing on the stage... with three, two and then... the other girl's name is called- you are crowned for being YOU!
People always ask me why do you cry? All I can say is that in the moments leading up to that final moment, you are thinking of so many things that once it culminates into the thought that you were chosen, they picked you, all your brain can comprehend is how thankful and overwhelmed you suddenly get. Crying seems like a forced emotion in everyday life but with an intense event such as a pageant where the only thing being seen, heard and judged is you, not a team or group, just little ole you- the idea that a group of strangers observing you among the larger group have decided to have YOU as the state representative, it's wwwaaayyyy too many happy thoughts and crying is the first thing that happens without you even realizing it!
Congratulations to the new queens of Missouri! I hope your year is as amazing as mine was in changing my life for the better. Job well done and enjoy each moment because it flies by. And for anyone wanting to know how it feels to truly be comfortable in your own skin, from every facet of your being- enter a pageant. Then you will know the pride felt when you take control of a challenge unlike anything you've ever done before. Hit the pavement meeting your local business owners in order to raise your sponsorship money, prepare physically and socially for the quest and then travel to a new city for a three-day contest. You'll have nothing negative to say about the life changing events and friendships built by simply saying YES to something new that most people don't have the courage or chops to even try. I commend every young girl who wants to simply TRY a pageant.
And for the lucky few, their lives are forever changed in some way, when they capture the crown.
