A word from a mom -"why i let my daughter do pageants"
With things like "toddler and tiaras" on television today, its sometimes easy to forget about the "other" pageants out there.
You know, the ones that dont allow kids to wear make-up or parade in dresses that are sparklier than a christmas tree. The ones that promote community involvement, family values, and reinforce life skills & confidence. The ones that are personality and scholastic driven. You know - like National American Miss.
Recently, I found a blog about a former National American Miss Oklahoma, who started competing in pageants at the age of 6 ( shes now a teenager). The blog, hosted by her mom as a way to keep in contact with family and friends across the country, posted about the pageants her daughter had competed in, her being a skeptical mom, and the profound impact it has made on her daughter's life - most notably, with respect to the National American Miss pageant.
So, for all you skeptical moms out there - here is a few words from one mom to another. Be sure to check out all the pictures and extended version of her blog post at The Sander Seven Blog
I was never a pageant girl so they didn’t impress me much. When Kelissa was six she had a near death encounter with a dental procedure gone wrong and got a very dangerous infection. After being in the hospital for five days and having a fever of 106.7, she came home getting to do pretty much as she pleased. Little Miss Harmon County was one week after her hospitalization so when she wanted to be in it of course I said yes.
Still running a low grade fever she did it and loved every second of it. When she was called out as the winner she didn’t even know what she had done, but the stage was set and she has been doing them ever since.
My outlook on pageants has changed over the years. I no longer see
them as a vain self- in dulgent hobby. They require tremendous work and time. Kelissa has learned humility more than any other attribute. She can lose like a winner and win like a champion. Having to do community service has caused her to rack up several hundred hours of helping others which has implanted in her a hunger and drive to be a world changer and make a difference for others.
Giving introductions and speeches has given her direction in what she wants to do with her life. Interviews have given her a world perspective on most issues political and current. Meeting people of excellence has given her a high standard with high expectations. Competing has taught her to love the underdog. Winning the crown is only a small part of the journey. If the crown is never won the journey is still very well worth it. What one can learn about themselves and others makes the time well spent.