Miss America endorsement

Like many of you, I guess I used to think that beauty pageants were hokey. Recently, though, I've seen local and state pageants in a different light.

I just acted as Pageant Advisor for the Miss Wasatch pageant, and got to see firsthand what a great learning experience it is for young women. In just a few short weeks of rigorous coaching, these girls turn into lovely, sophisticated and confident women. They learn to dress, to walk, and to present themselves with confidence and poise. They have to articulate their views and opinions in an assertive and mature way. They learn life skills that will help them tremendously in every area of their lives.

Being Miss Wasatch is an important stepping stone to become Miss Utah and eventually Miss America. No matter what you might say about these pageants, the truth is, holding any one of those titles can, and will be a life-changing event. It means exposure to the public, thinking on your feet, presenting yourself professionally, and certainly not least, it means college scholarships.

I'd urge any young woman to investigate their local pageant opportunities and take advantage of all the pageant experience has to offer. It's a great opportunity to grow and blossom. It takes work and dedication to get to the top ranks in the pageant world. Most successful contestants would probably be deemed 'over acheivers' in the most positive sense of the word.

I admire the guts it takes to enter these pageants, and salute all the young women who put themselves on the line and go out there to compete. When you see all the girls become beautiful butterflies you realize so profoundly that they are all winners, no matter their final ranking. I salute all of you contestants with 'The Queen's wave'!