Miss America: The Novel
My journey to Miss America has finally come to an end, and what a ride it’s been! I cannot even begin to find the words to describe my experience, but I really can say that I’ve had the time of my life. If you don’t follow pageants, it may seem like going to Las Vegas to compete in Miss America was like a vacation in stilettos, but so much hard work went into preparing for this opportunity, and I want to take a moment to thank the individuals who helped me along the way.
Every bit of help I received was done at the hands of volunteers. From the Miss Missouri board members to the sponsors and from the local directors to my prep team, you offered your time, your generosity, and your feedback because you wanted to, and I cannot say thank you enough. To every single person who sent cards, emails, texts, and gifts of encouragement and support at my send-off party, to my room in Vegas, and when I returned home – thank you for your overwhelming support. To my family and friends – thank you for being a part of this long and strenuous journey. Thank you for being by my side to cheer me on along the way and for never giving up on me! I represented the state of Missouri with great pride and I couldn’t have done it without each and every one of you.
When I arrived in Las Vegas, the first thing I saw stepping off the plane was a slot machine. Typical Sin City? Perhaps. But I think it was also a reminder of the next ten days to come. A pageant is a complete gamble. Each contestant is the very best in her state; each one is smart, talented, and giving; each one is ready for the job of Miss America. I knew I had trained, studied, practiced, and prepared as hard as I could, and the rest was up to fate. A gamble.
After being picked up in a limo and checking into Planet Hollywood, I had just a few moments to unpack before being rushed to wardrobe fittings and filming private interviews for Miss America: Behind the Curtain. Our first group event took place that afternoon, at the arrival ceremony where all 53 contestants were introduced and presented with a rose. Just in case I forgot I was in Las Vegas or that I was competing in the Miss America Pageant, I was quickly reminded by the local paparazzi. I have never seen so many camera flashes in my life, but it was kind of fun to feel like a celebrity for the week! It was also fun to be reunited with all the girls again since we hadn’t seen each other since Orlando in August. And just when we thought we had time to breathe, our whirlwind week began.
You can probably guess that it took a lot of practicing to perfect our opening production dance or to get our modeling patterns for Swimsuit and Evening Gown just right. But here’s what you don’t get to see on television… When we woke up in the morning, we had to carry our entire day’s wardrobe around with us because we weren’t able to go back to the room to change. We spent about eight hours per day rehearsing. We’re very resourceful and will use any size mirror or shiny object to make sure our hair and makeup look picture perfect for our events throughout the day. While we were treated to meals at some fabulous restaurants like PF Change and Buca di Beppo, most of our meals were spent at the Spice Market Buffet…and we ate like we were at a buffet! And the part I’m most proud of is that as the week went on and the competition heated up, we didn’t change. We stayed friends and genuinely supported each other.
Some of the highlights of the week were the Fashion Show Mall Event, where we all managed to chaotically organize ourselves in alphabetical order into a glass box, rise from the floor to a mass of cheering fans, and strut down the runway so fiercely that even Tyra Banks would have been proud!
I also enjoyed the Pole Position Raceway Event, which showcased some of the fastest go-karts in the world and the contestants’ true talents of defensive driving. While the top ten fastest times got to compete for the title of Miss Pole Position, awarded to none other than Miss New Hampshire (ironically, the only state where wearing a seatbelt is not mandatory), I proudly brought up the back of the race, placing second to last. Disappointing? I think not! Rest assured, Missouri, that you and I are both safe while I’m on the roads!
Once the competition started, it felt like the journey was in fast-forward. Late nights and early mornings turned into even later nights and even earlier mornings, and some days I got no more than 3 hours of sleep. But the adrenaline really does keep a girl going, and thank goodness! On Tuesday night, I competed in Swimsuit and Evening Gown; on Wednesday, Talent; and on Thursday, Onstage Question.
My favorite part of my competition days has to be a tie between the time spent at rehearsal with the girls and the time spent at visitation with my family and friends. I couldn’t happier to be blessed with such a supportive group, both onstage and off. I knew my family and friends would be there with the perfect words of wisdom or cards to make me smile, but I was a little skeptical of my friendship the other 52 women. As they say, Miss America is the Super Bowl of Pageants, and I wondered if things would change once the competition started or if the friendships I developed during those ten days would hold out after the heels came off and the hairspray washed out. One of the most popular questions I’m asked is if the contestants are like the ones you see in movies such as Miss Congeniality or Drop Dead Gorgeous. Well, I’m proud to say that they aren’t. I spent ten days with some of the most genuine and authentic young women in America.
If you watched Behind the Curtain, you probably already know about the little snafu with my talent costume – the clasp to my top broke just a few seconds into my dance, leaving me at the mercy of gravity. But even though I wasn’t able to give 100% in that performance, I did the best I could given the circumstances, and I can honestly say I left Miss America with no regrets. Although I didn’t come home with the crown, or even advance to the Top 15, I left as a better person. I was honored to be recognized as a Quality of Life finalist for my community service work with my platform, “Education and Prevention of Eating Disorders,” which meant just as much to me as winning the crown because community service is what the Miss America Organization is all about.
The Olympics couldn’t have come at a better time to remind me that you can prepare and train for something for years, but in one moment, if the cards don’t fall just the right way, your fate can change permanently. I have watched rookie athletes nail the perfect figure skating routine and break records in speed skating. I have also watched veteran athletes crash on downhill ski slopes and miss shots they have successfully made hundreds of times. What separates the winners from the losers isn’t a hundredth of a second in a race or a hundredth of a point in the Evening Gown competition. It’s how you react to the situation and how you choose to respond. Sure, I was disappointed that my name wasn’t called into the Top 15, but instead of dwelling on what I could have done differently, I chose to focus on what I learned as a result of being a part of such an incredible group of young women and the most intense competition I have ever been a part of in my 23 years. I was ready to hit the ground running as Miss America, but instead, I came back to Missouri, ready to run harder and faster, and make the most of my remaining months as Miss Missouri and I am so proud to be back!
Here’s to the next four months,
Tara
