USA Pageant's Teen Miss Georgia: Christine Waters

It wasn't until a couple of years ago that 17-year-old Christine Waters started down the pageant path. For some, that's too late, but for Christine it was right on time.

Despite losing the Miss Brookwood competition in her freshman year, the event instilled a love of pageantry for the high school student. Last year, Christine went on to win a national title -- Teen Miss Georgia. 

“I really enjoy getting dressed up and feeling beautiful,” she said.  

Christine will pass on her crown in May. There are many different pageant circuits across the nation, and Christine is affiliated with the USA Pageant (not to be confused with Miss Teen Georgia USA, the Miss Georgia Scholarship Pageant, or the Teen Miss USA under the Miss Universe division).

The competition itself is intensive. Each contestant passes through four phases, including a seven-minute interview, professional dress, formal wear, and a red carpet fashion show. Winners go on to compete in the Royal Elite National Pageant.

According to the pageant's website, participants are encouraged to foster "self-confidence, dedication, loyalty, honor and integrity."

"I've seen a huge difference in Christine since she started these pageants," said her mother, Dee Waters. "They have really boosted her confidence and changed how she presents herself."

Before participating in the pageant competitions, Christine was shy and more interested in being behind the scenes. She is now more self-assured and poised, and she is better able to handle stressful situations. Appearing at grand openings and signing autographs, for example, is now something Christine can do with ease.

"The interviews that take place during the competitions prepare you for real life," said Waters, a science teacher at Crews Middle School.

Christine is taking a break from competitions for a few more months, but stays busy emceeing events and volunteering. She most recently hosted the Gwinnett Queens for a Cure  and helped raised about $2,000 for Relay for Life. 

“Every little bit helps,” she said, adding that her grandparents suffered from cancer.  

Apart from fundraising, Christine has been very active at her local food cooperative in Lawrenceville since she was in sixth grade. She volunteers nearly every Saturday and hosts fundraisers and food drives at local schools.  

One memory at the food pantry in particular stands out to her. A family with three children arrived to pick up their requested food. Christine said the graciousness of the father is the kind of thing that keeps her inspired to give back to her community.

“Pageants aren’t all about being pretty,” Christine said.  “There are things you can do to help make the world a better place.”

Besides pageantry, Christine has many other talents. She joined the Brookwood equestrian team last year, but has been riding since she was two. She is also an accomplished pianist, a talent that led to her victory in the 2010 Miss Teen Georgia competition.  She performed Arabesque by Claude Debussy.  

Drama class at Brookwood High School is a favorite of Christine’s. She will join the sound crew for the school's upcoming "You Can't Take it With You," a Pulitzer Prize winning comedy by George S. Kaufman and Moss Hart.

“Christine is as comfortable backstage as she is on stage,” said drama teacher Ken Lindahl.

Christine was recently selected for Advanced Productions for the upcoming school year, a class that requires students to audition in order to be accepted.   

"Pageants and theater have really brought Christine out of her shell," Dee Waters said.

Christine's plans for the future include participating in the Miss Gwinnett County pageant in the fall, graduating from high school with honors and settling on a college.  She plans on majoring in either psychology or teaching. Later this month, she will have the opportunity to meet Gov. Nathan Deal as USA Pageant's Teen Miss Georgia.

If you are interested in participating in the upcoming pageant early this summer, visit www.winthecrown.net or email winthecrown@yahoo.com. You must be registered by April 9, 2011.