Where are the reality TV crews when you need them, right? If the media really wanted the public to know why women participate in pageants and the true benefits of pageantry, they should follow me, or thousands of other pageant queens, around for a day when we are living our lives as titleholders.
You see, a pageant crown and sash isn’t merely a label to be worn, but it’s a daily lifestyle we live. Two of my favorite quotes from St. Francis of Assisi sum up my thoughts nicely. “The deeds you do may be the only sermon some people will hear today” and “Preach the Gospel at all times, and when necessary use words.”
Saturday embodied and exemplified what the pageant queens I associate with do. We shared our time, talents, and treasures with a community and the American Cancer Society.
For 10 hours, eight queens walked the track, raised over $2,800 for the American Cancer Society’s Relay For Life, and performed their talent numbers to honor the cancer survivors at a special luncheon. The fun and fellowship shared by our team was an added bonus as to why we choose to be pageant queens.
Pageant contestants are talented, well rounded individuals who have diverse skills. We choose to use these skills to make a difference in our communities, countries and world. The glamorous onstage competition is only one day in our lifetime of service.
I don’t expect anytime soon for the major networks or news outlets to spend time capturing the real story behind the pageant world. But who needs them when we are impacting the lives of thousands daily at the grassroots level.
Today, I honor each titleholder who is living a life of service; and encourage you to keep on doing it, even if others won’t take the time to understand what pageantry is all about.
What an awesome 2012 Queens Team! Angela Escobar, Anna Shappert, Gracie Fusco, Maria Shappert, Julia Shappert, Megan Hunt, Rhonda Shappert, & Sydney Copeland. Other members and monetary contributors not pictured in the photo are Stephen Shappert, Joyce Escobar, Gina Fusco, Stacey Johnson, and Michaela Smith. Start saving those coins now and join us next year. Celebrate. Remember. Fight Back.
