Toddlers & Tiara's: Misrepresenting the Crown

As my first blog, I thought it would be important to try to set the
record straight on pageants.

I, myself, have participated in several pageants. Currently, I am Junior
Miss East Coast and Junior Miss US of America 3^rd Runner Up. In the
past, I was also honored to hold such titles as Little Miss Ledyard Fair,
Junior Miss Ledyard Fair, and Junior Miss New England Ambassador.

I am very appreciative to be able to take part in these pageants, and I
am willing to help pay for part of the costs of the pageants. This helps me to
be thankful for experiences like this and teaches me responsibility.

Pageants, for me, have been a wonderful way to grow my self confidence.
Since starting pageants, I have become a better at public speaking, and I have
learned poise and grace. When I was a little girl, I was always very shy, but
by doing the Little Miss Ledyard Fair pageants I began to feel more comfortable
in front of people.

I have also made great friendships. Especially on the national level, I
have had the chance to meet young ladies from South Carolina to Vermont and
even Texas. A few of the girls I even talk to on a regular basis. For being a
competition, everyone I have met has been very friendly and willing to help
each other.

One of the most important things I have learned overall, though, is how
to be strong. When I first started pageants as a little girl, I went 4 years
without even placing in a competition. Of course this wasn’t easy, but I kept
coming back each year, and eventually I won. It’s a hard thing to understand
that there is only one crown (thus one winner). I truthfully have lost more
pageants than I have won, but the benefits greatly out-weigh this.

I have had a great experience with pageants, and I would highly recommend
participating to any girl interested. However, things do get competitive. Some
girls will purchase expensive designer dresses, get spray tanned, and hire a
hair and makeup artists. But, from my experiences, I have learned that a
reasonably priced dress, a natural beach tan, and a supportive mother (to help
with hair and makeup), can sometimes look identical, or even more beautiful,
than the full glitz.

To be completely honest, I enjoy the show Toddlers & Tiara’s. I think
it is funny and entertaining. However, it can be very misleading of the pageant
world. The majority of children involved in competing really do enjoy being
there. But, obviously, there are the girls who just do not want to be there at
all. Usually this is in the younger age divisions, and there are always a few
contestants at every pageant.

However, with current television shows, everything gets blown way out of
proportion. Mothers screaming at their children, fights between girls, and tantrums are not usually the norm at pageants. The show makes it seem like this happens all the time, while in reality that is not true.

Although this show keeps gaining popularity, people need to understand
what these competitions are actually meant to represent. The Miss America and
Miss USA organizations have remained inspirations to women all over the country
for over 60 years. That’s what pageants should be remembered for: Smart,
beautiful, and talented women, competing for scholarships and the chance to
represent their country and do volunteer work for organizations around the world.