My Experience at Miss California Teen USA!
Last June, I competed in my first-ever pageant for the title of Miss California Teen USA, and I was honored to win 1st runner-up. Coming into pageantry as a newbie, I had no idea of the hard work that is needed in the run-up to competition weekend. The year leading up to the competition shaped me in immeasurable ways. I became a better public speaker, writer, advocate, student, and person. I made amazing friends with people all over the world. At Miss California Teen USA, I spoke about my personal experience dealing with extreme bullying, advocating for my organization of choice, the Bloom Foundation. This was my first time telling my story to a room of hundreds of people and it was overwhelming, and even a little scary to get that vulnerable publicly. However, the number of girls who came up to me feeling so understood, validated, and loved after I spoke gave me the confirmation that I was serving a bigger purpose than I even knew. During my preparation period, I also attended events where I was able to share my story and advocate for an anti-bullying curriculum in schools.
I quickly learned that pageantry is not just about big hair and ballgowns, but about cultivating supporters for your platform, honing your public speaking skills, and making connections to further your higher education and ultimately your career.
The most challenging part of the competition was preparing for the all-important interview and on-stage questions. For months, I diligently watched the news and read articles about significant world issues and social justice debates. This helped me to become more knowledgeable about my own beliefs and political views. The new founder of the Miss USA organization emphasizes pageantry reimagined—redefining beauty standards, promoting inclusivity, and being a modern-day woman who will once and for all break the glass ceiling for future generations.
