Miss Gunnison Pageant 2013

What Makes You Beautiful

In the Miss Gunnison 2013 Pageant I was crowned by lovely Yisel Perez as the new Miss Gunnison Valley.

This "High Five" is  a traditional way to pass on the crown from the former to the new reigning Miss Gunnison. 

The Royalty 2013:

Bre Lambertson: Miss Congeniality. Attendant.

Miss Gunnison

Madee Christenson: Miss Photogenic. Attendant.

The day of the pageant we were at our luncheon and the former royalty got up and spoke they started to get teary eyed. I remember thinking how if I had seen this months before I would have laughed out loud. I used to think, like everyone else, pageants were for barbies who cry over everything. Anyone who has been in a pageant has been proven wrong. By the time our lunch was over everyone was crying. Everyone, even me. All of the nerves and the emotions that were going through my body were starting to take over the fun in the pageant and it had not even begun. I had read this poem I received and instantly wanted every girl to be the queen. I was calmed and grateful I was just apart of it. I didn't want the crown as much as I had wanted it before. I just wanted everyone to win. 

'And the Winner is' 

Oh how your heart will pound!

The moment you've been waiting for has finally come around.

But stop, suppose you don't win, suppose you don't get the fame.

It isn't the winning that counts so much, it's how you played the game.

Each one of you is a winner, you've won the greatest gift that God can give.

You've won friends and love to cherish, it's why people want to live.

If you win the crown and roses but not the friends and love,

You're a loser, not a winner, just ask the Lord above.

Your friends and love will last forever, yes, forever and a day.

But the crown and roses will rust and crumble and quickly fade away.

Your moms and dads are seated here with teardrops in their eyes.

Their hearts are beating just like yours, to hear who won the prize.

To them, you're each a little bit of heaven.

To your friends, you are the same.

To be happy and successful, you don't need to have the fame.

So when they announce the winner, it should be a real thrill.

For if you don't win the roses, remember...

One of your best friends will. 

This poem is now so close to my heart. Every pageant I will be in from this day forward I plan to share this poem. It is so easy to get caught up in the stress and competition of these pageants. You aren't judged on how you treat the other girls, if you were nice to them or not. But you are judged on the kind of person you are and it shows through. Why not make friends and awesome memories so whether you win the crown or not, there was at least lasting friendships made. 

A special Thank you to:

Ashton Leake: Director. She had a lot of responsibility and put together the pageant so well so quickly. Bre Lambertson: Won Miss Congeniality and deserved it. She was smiling through everything, through wardrobe malfunctions, lighting, and long practices. Madee Christenson: She pushed me to do this pageant since December and always made me want to do my best. Adrie Ashton: Director. She took over the pageant with no hesitation and made sure all of the girls were completely prepared for it!

My mom: My mom is a former Miss Mesquite and I always remember wanting to be Miss Mesquite too. Being my first pageant we went with a lot of trial and error but I am glad my mom is always making sure I look very best: with class and confidence. She has shown me that having beauty on the inside will make sure the beauty on the outside will shine through. I love you so much. For putting up with this pageant and supporting me in everything I aspire. 

My Grandma and My aunt Marnie: 

Came three hours to watch my in this pageant and were very supportive and loving the whole time they were here. I am so grateful for the love of even my extended family that I have in my life. I love you grandma and aunt Marnie!

My Sister Josie: 

Helped me pick out every outfit. While my mom is very classy and mature, Josie helped put spunk and sparkle into every outfit. She helped me with everything to the production number poses to walking and modeling. She did my hair and makeup for every part of the pageant and I would not have stayed sane without her.

I LOVE YOU.

Kristien Weidner: 

My voice coach. She has and is still turning me into a singer I never thought I would become. I am now performing instead of just singing my songs and am so grateful for her talent and her time she has put in to make me the best performer I can be. I would have not been able to pull it off without her!

My Family:

Every single person in my family has helped me with this pageant. Genna and Parker asking me interview questions. Maya and Josie telling me I look awkward and leaving my mom to fix it for me. My dad researching pageants for days to know all the secrets and tips there is to know. All of them constantly giving my comfort and the confidence I needed to be successful. I love my family so very much and I am so grateful I get them to support me and help me through every minute of everyday not only for the rest of my life but for all eternity. 

Feeling Like a Disney Princess:

This was the greatest part of the pageant. When I got to see the smiles on all the little girls faces as they had watched me through the whole pageant and then ran up to me after it was over. They treated me like a real princess. The little girls are what make the Parades so fun when I see how excited they are to see me wave to them. These little girls are who look up to me the most as Miss Gunnison. They see me as a leader without my fancy dress on but once that crown is placed on my head, they see royalty, a fairytale, and a real Princess. I hope I never lose that sight from those precious little girls who don't know they are as much as a princess and a queen as I am.

  I really really really love the people of Gunnison Valley I am an example and leader for.