By Lauren Campbell
As a participant in pageants from the age of 13, I have a deep-rooted appreciation for all of the qualities this hobby has bestowed upon me. Confidence, grace, poise, a servant’s heart and friendships, just to name a few.
Sometimes, pageants are thought of only as a competition of appearance and beauty, but let me be the first to tell you, they greatly transcend those qualities.
As a freshman in college, I was terrified to move to a new city and make friends, but I quickly realized I had a personality that made it easy to walk into a room full of unfamiliar faces.
Do you know what I thank for this trait?
Pageants.
My mother is the last person willing to stand in a crowded room and give a speech on a topic she feels passionate about, so I know I didn’t get it from her.
As a soon-to-be-college graduate, I have sat through countless interviews for various things that my future depended on. For the average person, those interviews would’ve brought stress and uneasy feelings, but for me it has been a breeze.
Do you know from where I gained my interview skills and experience?
Pageants.
This hobby has proven to be the sole reason that I can sit in front of a panel of judges and talk about my life, what I’ve accomplished and what I wish to accomplish in the future.
Pageants also give you a platform for service. Many organizations regard service and community involvement very highly, and most pageant competitors will have a platform they represent and work with for their entire year as queen. Some may be raising money for an animal shelter, while some may be collecting non-perishable items for their local food bank. Whatever you are passionate about, pageants give you a platform to share that topic with the world.
Pageants have brought me friendships I could not have gained anywhere else. Competing for the title of Miss Kentucky County Fair 2015, I was placed in line in front of the sweetest brunette from Metcalfe County, Kentucky. We quickly hit it off with her infectious smile and warm personality, and we spent the weekend getting to know each other.
Fast forward one year, Molly won the title of Miss Kentucky County Fair and the title of Miss Kentucky. Throughout her fame and accomplishments, we still have that special bond that we created at MKCF 2015. I now have a wonderful friend and connection that I am sure will remain for many years.
After competing in pageants all over Kentucky, I can hardly go anywhere without seeing a familiar face.
Pageants are more than just a beautiful face and a pretty wardrobe. They’re about finding friendships that will last a lifetime, meeting people that will help you in your future career, speaking in front of unfamiliar faces and bringing out truly the best version of yourself.
Through pageants I have been able to shine a light on what I believe in and what I stand for in life. I’ve been able to truly become the best version of myself that I can be, and I have pageants to thank for that.
Lauren Campbell is a senior public relations major with a minor in journalism from Hopkinsville, Kentucky. She has interned at WKRN-TV in Nashville, Tennessee, and she is now serving as executive director of the Ms. Murray State University pageant.
