Pageantry With A Purpose

Pageantry; a word that brings many different thoughts to mind. Many people have heard this word, but may not understand what it entails. Pageantry is not something I have been involved in for a long time, but it is something I have always had a desire to do. My experience with pageantry has only been for the past three years, but it has really impacted my life. As I have told you all before, I have a passion for the youth, hence my love for working at GLAM, and being an example for them is something I long to do. So, after meeting Amanda as a pageant queen in 2011 and bonding with her instantly, she inspired me to compete in my first pageant in 2011. Competing for the first time was thrilling and placing 3rd runner-up was even more inspiration for me to compete again in 2012 for the same title. I became Miss Williamson County's Fairest Of The Fair on Sunday, August 6th, 2012 and I could not have been more excited! I was not just excited about my first title, but more excited to represent Christ in a new way. 

What made this night even better was the on stage question I was asked which was, "If you could give the younger girls in the community any advise, what would it be?" My face lit up; this is my job everyday! I was quick to answer, "I would tell the younger girls that they are beautiful and to embrace the beauty and talents God has so sweetly given them." I truly believe God allowed me to win that title so that I could shine His light in a way I would love doing so. Throughout the year I was able to make appearances in my crown and sash and talk to many different age groups of girls about being a good example and letting God's light shine through them. Of course putting on a crown made me feel beautiful, but seeing the younger girls look up to me and smile filled my heart immensely with joy. 

I have come to realize that pageantry can be a world filled with many things, both good and bad, but it can also be something that can be completely God-glorifying and exuberant. I would like all of the younger girls reading this, or any girl for that matter, to know that you are fearfully and wonderfully made. God made each of us so special and different. He has made each of us to shine in our own way with our own lights in such amazing ways. He tells us in Romans 12:2 to not be conformed to this world, but to be transformed. Use the gifts and passions you have to be the best and most beautiful you that you can be. Thank God and those around you for their support and love through all the things that you do and the opportunities that you are given. I am thrilled and honored to have represented my county in the best way I could and now I am even more thrilled that my younger sister is representing as Teen Miss Williamson County and I pray that she will do it with a willing and selfless heart. Pageantry has allowed me to realize that the words Miley Cyrus says in The Hannah Montana Movie are true indeed, "Life's a climb, but the view is great." As cliché as that might sound, it is so true. Life goes by so quickly and as unfortunate as that is, there is nothing we can do about it except to embrace it and give it all you've got. 

Stay beautiful,