More than just sashes and stilettos

Contestant 1587 waits nervously with hundreds of other girls backstage. Clad in two-inch heels, a black-and-pink evening gown and full stage makeup, she mentally prepares for the task at hand. "Remember to breathe. Don't walk too fast," she reminds herself. After what seems like an eternity, she emerges from the wings wearing a huge smile and struts down the runway, illuminated by the glow of the spotlight.

For freshman Brettney Oke, participating in her first beauty pageant last October at the University of Maryland was an opportunity to meet new people and gain exposure as an aspiring actress. Although she did not walk away with a sash or tiara, Oke looks back fondly upon her experience in the Youth Pageant of America, joining the ranks of thousands of girls across the country who face panels of judges in hopes of gaining recognition at the end of the runway.

Beyond Beauty

Beauty pageants, which officially began in 1921 with the first Miss America pageant, have grown into a multi-million dollar business popular with girls across the nation. Today, pageants aim to "promote scholastic achievement, creative accomplishment, healthy living and community involvement for teens," according to Tamela Frazier, the director of Miss Maryland's Outstanding Teen, a pageant run by the Miss America program.

Frazier explains that beauty pageants have the ability to positively impact young women: They help shy girls gain confidence and allow them to practice their public speaking skills. "The growth that I have witnessed, both inner and outer, from the first time a girl enters as a contestant to her last, is amazing," she says.

Linda Swago, who was crowned Miss Maryland-USA in 1976, still remembers the surge of self-esteem she felt when she received her winning sash and tiara. The pageant gave her "a shot of confidence that is hard to achieve at such a young age," she says.

Senior Tiffany Chang experienced a similar transformation as a result of her participation in the American Coed pageant in 2002. Chang was nervous about her ability to compete in a pageant after attending an orientation session with her parents, but her mother convinced her that this nervousness was a reason for her to participate: The pageant would boost her confidence and self-esteem. Looking back on the pageant, where she won four trophies and placed 20th out of 105 girls, Chang is thankful for the experience. "I ended up being so confident coming back. I'm happier now, and I feel proud of being able to place in the top 25," she says.

In addition to her award for making it into the top 25, Chang won the "Best Spirit" award - given by the judges to the contestant they feel displays the best character - an award for selling the most ads in the pageant's events magazine and a trophy for participating in the pageant. The trophies, displayed prominently on a shelf in Chang's bedroom, remind her of her accomplishments and of the overall pageant experience.

Sophomore Brenda Njinjoh hopes to achieve similar results when she participates in a beauty pageant. After seeing her cousin compete for the title of Miss Cameroon in 2003, Njinjoh has decided to enter the Miss Africa International pageant once she completes college, believing the pageant will provide her with an opportunity to represent her homeland. She sees the crowning achievement of being named Miss Cameroon not as a testament to her beauty, but instead as a gateway to charitable opportunities. "Everyone can look good in a dress. Not everyone can make a difference," she says.

Practice makes perfect

This chance to make a difference requires dedication from contestants, since beauty queen hopefuls face expensive fees and long practices on the road to the winner's circle. Oke collected the $500 required to compete in the Youth Pageant of America from friends, family and members of her church.

In addition to financial requirements, contestants dedicate hours of time to perfecting their performance. Njinjoh, who doesn't plan on competing in a pageant until after college, is already beginning preparations. She recently began taking guitar lessons and hopes to use this talent to her advantage in the pageant. She is making a conscious effort to become more outgoing in order to improve her stage presence. "I'm a very shy person, so I have to work to be more open. I'm going to talk in church and try to be a leader," she says.

In the past year, Njinjoh has attended two pageants "to learn from other girls' mistakes." She hopes that all this preparation will pay off and lead her to victory. During the two days prior to her pageant, Chang practiced every move she would make on stage extensively with the other participants, from the opening dance number to how to walk on to the stage properly. All the time and effort she invested in the pageant paid off, though, and Chang says she hopes to compete again in the future.

Backstage bitterness

While the intentions of beauty pageants are certainly noble, with hundreds of girls vying for a single, coveted tiara and the chance to be remembered forever as a beauty queen, tensions can run high backstage. Oke describes the tone before her runway show as somewhat competitive. "The atmosphere was friendly — but there was also a sense of rivalry since we were competing against each other, " she says. While Oke observed a friendly sense of competition among contestants, some girls are willing to go to great lengths in order to secure a winning sash, resorting to sabotage and even physical intimidation. Junior Morgan Luker experienced this cattiness at a pageant sponsored by the Barbizon Modeling and Acting Center in 2002. "There were these mean girls who messed up people's dresses and stole stuff. It's just really competitive," she says.
Pageant payoff

Still, pageants provide girls with memorable opportunities. While neither Oke nor Luker has any definite plans to compete again, both appreciate the experience of being in a beauty pageant, which brought them new friends and a new sense of confidence.

Chang, too, is grateful for her involvement with pageants. The sense of confidence she now feels serves as a daily reminder of the experience. Chang fondly remembers her time participating in the pageant with the other contestants. "It's not a beauty pageant - it's you realizing your potential," she says.

Michelle Zoglio, the state pageant coordinator for the Miss Maryland pageant, feels that "pageants provide girls with memories that will last a lifetime." Pageants, Zoglio suggests, are about more than merely tiaras and evening gowns - there is something for every girl to find. "It's more than just a pageant," she says. "It's letting girls fulfill dreams."