Miss Royalty International: Why do we do pageants?

Why do we do pageants? I think there are several reasons. I did my first pageant when I was 5 years old. My mom received a flyer in the mail and well...the rest is history! I've made a lot of memories in my time doing pageants and am so grateful to have had them. I thought I'd compile a list of reasons of why I did pageants and see if you agree!

1. Meet new friends. I realize you can meet new friends in anything you do, so this may sound a bit cliche, however I truly feel that pageant people are some of the most kind-hearted people out there. We are such a small community in this huge world, and we really "get" each other. We know what it's like to have competition, interview, and practice our routines. We know that we aren't the typical stereotypes that people think pageant girls are. I still have pageants friends today that I met through my first pageant.

2. The notoriety and fame. Ok, so this sounds a bit vain, but it's true. Let's face it; where Miss Royalty International is, Michelle Becker isn't. People will want to meet MRI over little ole' Michelle. I always used my titles to my advantage, though, by helping out those less fortunate. I loved answering phones for the MDA telethon, running the children's games, selling tickets for silent auctions, performing my talents at fundraising events, and even did a fashion show charity event! When I got a little bit older, I had a passion for the organization, Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD). I helped organize a SADD chapter at a local high school and advocated for more chapters throughout Wisconsin. I also have a passion for music, so I volunteered for MENC (National Association of Music Education) raising awareness of how important it is to have music in our education system.

3. The Adrenalin rush. It is SO hard to get up on a stage and perform in front of a bunch of people, much less your competitors. I really enjoy this rush, even in that moment when I'm about to go onstage I think to myself "What the heck did I sign up for this for?"

4. To gain lifelong skills. My confidence level sky rocketed after competing in my first pageant. I was always shy to strangers and afraid to talk to them. Then an epiphany happened when I was on stage with my dad as my escort at 5 years old and I was the one that sat still smiling and HE was the one fidgeting and nervous! HA! I also gained lifelong interview skills for my future job interviews. At my last job interview, I was told that the owner was really impressed with me. I credit pageants for that.

5. It was an excuse to get dressed up. Let's face it...I'm a girly girl and I love to wear makeup, get dressed up, wear sparkly long gowns, and curl my hair into big, bouncy Victoria's Secret model hair. In the real world, this just isn't an option. Pageants were a great way to be able to feel feminine and wear amazing gowns that I could never find a place to wear them to in real life.

I absolutely love pageants and I am so glad I can share my passion of pageantry with all of you! I hope you've had nothing but good experiences and learn from the bad. And I hope with each pageant you are in, you learn something new about yourself. It's important that you continue to grow and gain self-confidence in every pageant you do, win or lose. Remember, the pageant directors and judges are out for your best interest. We want you to do well and wish everyone could win. Thank you and goodnight, fellow pageantarians!!!! (yes, I just made that up!)