[quote]By Drew Danko
Online Editor
Photo courtesy of Jasmine Hawkins[/quote]

When did you decide to start competing in pageants?

I think it was about two years ago, I competed in Miss Illinois Teen USA twice and then I switched to the Miss Collegiate America system.

What’s the difference between the two organizations?

Miss USA is more modeling based, so it’s more about looking perfect on stage, being fit, and an overall appearance. Miss Collegiate America is more resume and community service based, so it’s more academic.

Why do you think that is more important?

I think being a pageant girl is something that is always looked down upon. Being a part of the system you actually get to learn interview skills, how to be a part of a community, and being involved, which I think is important.

Have you won any awards in competing?

I won Miss Photogenic when I competed for Miss Illinois Teen my second year, and I won the title of Miss Indiana Collegiate this year, on Nov. 21. My director directs in three different states: Missouri, Illinois, and Indiana. When I signed up, I could compete and win in any of those three states.

What is your favorite thing about competing in pageants? 

It’s meeting and getting to know the girls. It’s a new industry for me, and I wasn’t familiar with it before. I get to meet a ton of different girls and each one is so down to earth and sincere, they understand where I’m coming from and they know about pageants too.

How did you decide to try competing if it was a new thing?

My friend is a model for Ford in Chicago. I’ve always been to her fashion shows and been really interested, but more of the walking aspect and being on stage, so that’s how I decided to start competing in pageants.

What do you think it means to be a pageant girl?

I think it’s being the best you can be and being an overall role model for girls. Anywhere you go where you are wearing your crown and sash, you’re going to have people that look up to you and you’re going to speak to them about your morals and values and what it means to be a part of the system. For me, that means being active in my community, volunteering, and giving back.

What types of volunteering have you done?

I’ve made three appearances so far, which are community service events. I’ve been in the Santa Claus parade in Peoria, I went to Miss Indiana USA to watch, and I have three events coming up this summer, which are volunteering for People’s Resource and I hope to create my non-profit organization.

What would you like to do for your non-profit organization?

I want to work with People’s Resource to create a prom experience for underprivileged girls. I want to give them prom dresses and give them that magical night at homecoming or prom that they really want.

What would you say to the people who think pageants are just popularity or beauty contests?

When I first started competing, I thought it was all about popularity and looks. Once I started competing even more, there is so many benefits, getting scholarships and networking. I’ve met so many amazing people and gotten scholarships to schools that I never thought were possible.

Is competing something you want to continue doing in the future?

I think so, down the road, I think I want to get settled in to college first. I am old enough to compete in the Miss divisions, so if I ever won a state title I would go off to Miss USA. That’s a really big step for me because I just transferred from teen divisions to Miss.