Why pageants and the Miss America system?

When I was 18 years old, Betty Thompson, Miss Oklahoma 2011 and 1st Runner Up to Miss America 2012, came and spoke to a room full of Minnesota county Dairy Princesses at our May Event. We were all so taken back that this gorgeous beauty queen was a farm girl and promoting milk, just like us. She instantly became a celebriting to me and someone I aspired to be. Although after that, the Miss America Organization got pushed to the back of my mind because I was so focused on being a dairy princess and then a college student. However, Betty Thompson did tweet back at me with some bottled milk resource links for a speech I did in school, I was pretty pumped!

When Betty Thompson spoke at May Event.

Then one day I overheard some girls at school talking about the Miss SDSU pageant. I thought "huh, that sounds fun" and I thought of the great stories I had heard at May Event from the wonderful Miss America contestant. But then I went home, saw cookies and decided I did not want to diet. So again, it slipped my mind, until unfortunately my best friend's mom passed away and my boyfriend's aunt was injured at work. I was driving home from the funeral when it hit me, life is so short and I need to make the most of it for myself and those around me. So I contacted the director of the pageant, which was a week away, and she was thrilled to have another girl sign up.

I love getting to work with the older generations.

At South Dakota's Miss Amazing pageant!

Why is this pageant system for this farm girl who's a tomboy? Because I love helping people and promoting chocolate milk. The joy that it brings me when I get to see the people around me light up simply because a queen stopped to talk to them, is priceless. The countless hours I get to go to the gym and work my body is so good for my overall health and confidence. I am so lucky to be able to use my fully functioning body. And of course, the scholarship I will receive for being Miss Brookings will help me to fund part of my education at South Dakota State next year! I also hope to inspire young women to follow their passions like Betty Thompson inspired me. So after reading this, my question to you is why not?