Time for a little story...
I, like so many girls, grew up watching Miss America. My parents encouraged me to be everything that one might find in a 'pageant' girl-- talented, well spoken, poised, well dressed, approachable, ambitious-- but they never encouraged me to actually do a pageant. My first pageant experience was behind-the-scenes, when I started (and directed and choreographed and organized and fundraised for) the Miss Tate High School pageant when I was a high school Junior. A love of the stage was born. : )
When I came to LSU, my initial goal was to cheer in Death Valley in front of 92,644 screaming fans, THAT was the stage that I wanted to be on. Well, that didn't quite work out. I was instead able to "find myself" at college through extra curricular groups and service activities, a blessing that showed me my career passion. But during that formative freshman year, I remember attending the Miss LSU pageant and thinking, "forget cheering, now THAT is how I want to represent my university!!!"
A year later I participated in my first pageant. My heart was in it. I wanted the crown. I just knew that I would be great for the job. Well, heart ain't all it takes people... cause I was a hot mess. : ) But I survived and was even more excited about pursing my goal. I was able to see a good friend, Rachel Smith, crowned Miss LSU 2006, a senior at her fourth attempt for the title. Being close with Rachel is something that absolutely pushed me further. So the next year, I changed exactly what the judges wanted-- I got a new ($270) dress, I lost some weight, and I made better eye contact in interview. And I won. I went from not placing amongst 30 girls to being crowned the winner amongst 30 girls. And hence, my pageant journey began...
March 21st was the 2010 Miss LSU pageant. This year was especially bittersweet (or possibly even scary) because Rachel and Courtney Rawls, Miss LSUs 2006 and 2005, judged... and I was 2007. I am almost old enough to judge. Wow.
Anyway, it was a thrill to attend another annual Miss LSU pageant. My friend (and former Golden Girl and Miss LSU top ten'er) Jackie Dixon-Tuttle has been the choreographer for four years, and her circus-inspired opening numbers was a delight! I was definitely dancing in my seat at the PMAC, just can't help myself when someone plays Britney. I was honored to have been asked to speak at a previous rehearsal, so it's always a joy to see the ladies "in action" on competition night. Ainsley Beeman, Miss LSU 2009, was a feature of this 'main event,' and it was especially touching to see her. Ainsley was 1st Runner-Up when I gave away my title, and that was her first pageant ever; the following year, she won the title. Since I work at LSU, I was able to work with Ainsley throughout the year as she prepared for Miss Louisiana USA and appeared at events all over campus. She is a remarkable and memorable woman. And it was amazing seeing her this March and witnessing the growth that she has had over the years, one of the many fantastic results of pageantry: personal growth and discovery!
So as I prepare for one of my final pageants (the precise goal would be two, Miss LA and Miss A ;D), it is nice to reflect on where all of this started. Miss LSU is so much more than just a pageant, and it has been one of the defining moments of my life thus far. Here are some pictures from the evening!!!
With Merrill Bankston, who made it into the Top 10! I'm so proud of all that she's accomplished as an LSU student, and she has been a great lady who I've met through pageants. : )
I, like so many girls, grew up watching Miss America. My parents encouraged me to be everything that one might find in a 'pageant' girl-- talented, well spoken, poised, well dressed, approachable, ambitious-- but they never encouraged me to actually do a pageant. My first pageant experience was behind-the-scenes, when I started (and directed and choreographed and organized and fundraised for) the Miss Tate High School pageant when I was a high school Junior. A love of the stage was born. : )
When I came to LSU, my initial goal was to cheer in Death Valley in front of 92,644 screaming fans, THAT was the stage that I wanted to be on. Well, that didn't quite work out. I was instead able to "find myself" at college through extra curricular groups and service activities, a blessing that showed me my career passion. But during that formative freshman year, I remember attending the Miss LSU pageant and thinking, "forget cheering, now THAT is how I want to represent my university!!!"
A year later I participated in my first pageant. My heart was in it. I wanted the crown. I just knew that I would be great for the job. Well, heart ain't all it takes people... cause I was a hot mess. : ) But I survived and was even more excited about pursing my goal. I was able to see a good friend, Rachel Smith, crowned Miss LSU 2006, a senior at her fourth attempt for the title. Being close with Rachel is something that absolutely pushed me further. So the next year, I changed exactly what the judges wanted-- I got a new ($270) dress, I lost some weight, and I made better eye contact in interview. And I won. I went from not placing amongst 30 girls to being crowned the winner amongst 30 girls. And hence, my pageant journey began...
March 21st was the 2010 Miss LSU pageant. This year was especially bittersweet (or possibly even scary) because Rachel and Courtney Rawls, Miss LSUs 2006 and 2005, judged... and I was 2007. I am almost old enough to judge. Wow.
Anyway, it was a thrill to attend another annual Miss LSU pageant. My friend (and former Golden Girl and Miss LSU top ten'er) Jackie Dixon-Tuttle has been the choreographer for four years, and her circus-inspired opening numbers was a delight! I was definitely dancing in my seat at the PMAC, just can't help myself when someone plays Britney. I was honored to have been asked to speak at a previous rehearsal, so it's always a joy to see the ladies "in action" on competition night. Ainsley Beeman, Miss LSU 2009, was a feature of this 'main event,' and it was especially touching to see her. Ainsley was 1st Runner-Up when I gave away my title, and that was her first pageant ever; the following year, she won the title. Since I work at LSU, I was able to work with Ainsley throughout the year as she prepared for Miss Louisiana USA and appeared at events all over campus. She is a remarkable and memorable woman. And it was amazing seeing her this March and witnessing the growth that she has had over the years, one of the many fantastic results of pageantry: personal growth and discovery!
So as I prepare for one of my final pageants (the precise goal would be two, Miss LA and Miss A ;D), it is nice to reflect on where all of this started. Miss LSU is so much more than just a pageant, and it has been one of the defining moments of my life thus far. Here are some pictures from the evening!!!
With Merrill Bankston, who made it into the Top 10! I'm so proud of all that she's accomplished as an LSU student, and she has been a great lady who I've met through pageants. : )
With my lovely and soon-to-be-married predecessor, Rachel Smith!
With the outgoing Miss LSU, the classy and beautiful Ainsley.
Miss LSUs, past and present. From Left: Rachel Smith, 2006; Liz Dunn, 2007; Kelsey Davis, 2010; Ainsley Beeman, 2009; Lauren Edwards, 2008; Jennifer Hale, 1998; Anne Katherine Lene, 1999.
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