You probably don't think there are any reasons to enter a beauty pageant, but I'm here to tell you there are many reasons why you should! A lot of people think that it's all about the big hair, beauty, walking around on stage, and being plastic! I'm here to tell you that what you watch on TV like "Toddlers and Tiara" aren't true! These are the real reasons why you should enter a beauty pageant... take it from me a former Beauty Queen.



1. BUILDING SELF-CONFIDENCE
The number one of a million reasons to enter a beauty pageant is to build self-confidence. Take me, for example... You would never catch me talking in front of large crowds, or being social at all... I was extremely shy…until my Mom entered me in my first pageant! Talk about life changing! I walked away by being in the top 5 and I was in awe of how much self-confidence I had gained in one weekend!

2. LESSONS YOU LEARN
There are so many things you learn not only about yourself, but also about communication skills, leadership, interviews, and poise! Pageantry is a doorway for those who want to be on stage, give back, and of course learn more about themselves! I never saw pageantry as a competition, I always looked at it as a learning experience.

3. FRIENDSHIPS/FAMILY
The girls you compete with become your family, regardless of all the stereotyping about catty girl fights and fake, plastic personalities. You'll be pleased to learn that it isn't true. You'll always have one of those girls, but not everyone is like that, you build great friendships I’ve met some of my closest friends through beauty pageants.

4. OPPORTUNITIES
Pageantry gives you a window of opportunities; this world ties in with the entertainment world. So, it opens doors to modelling, acting, performing, and much more! Even if you want to speak out about things you are passionate about.  I have been blessed; since doing pageantry I have been on TV, modelled, hosted and much more! And, I was able to do all of these thanks to being in a pageant!

5. COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
Now, the best sides of pageantry are the organisations you get to work with or begin! I'm all about giving back, paying it forward, and doing the right thing! Pageantry gives you the opportunity to network with numerous organisations and work with them, help them spread the awareness and much more!

6. THE CROWN
Now, of course the crown and sash are materialistically the highlights of the competition. The title itself! But, something someone once told me is that "you define the crown, the crown does not define you." Meaning, you make the crown, so do something good, amazing, and make a difference. Your reign is only a year, and in a year you can do whatever your heart pleases!

7. NEW YOU
I would be lying if I said pageantry didn't do anything for you! Because pageantry literally changed who I am, my vision, and everything I once was. It taught me so much about myself, and I learned so much about other key things in life from poise, grace, proper communication, building self-confidence, networking, and much more!

I would never take back any of the competitions I've ever competed in. I'm grateful for each and every experience I've encountered. Although, I may have not won every single one, I walked away with much more than a crown and title.

So don’t be afraid, don’t be held back and don’t entertain negativity, take control of your own life.

 Later...