I would be lying if I said I didn't think this weekend would be a "made for TV, "glam"ping, high maintenance, pageant girl" kind of weekend. Apparently so did all my friends, considering their reaction to my weekend plans was "YOU are going camping?" However, I was certainly (pleasantly) surprised to find out how much me and most of the other girls thoroughly enjoyed ourselves makeup, stress, and competition free.
I should back up and let you know why we were camping. In fact, we were on an adventurous journey. In order to complete the bronze or silver (I was completing silver) medal for the Duke of Edinburgh award, you're final challenge is to complete an adventurous journey. Although, we had countless adventures this weekend, we did something I think was way more important than just earn a medal; we broke a steryotype.
Because I have grown up in the Miss Oklahoma Organization, from the young age of eight, I have always felt heart broken and confused when "pageant girls" are described as "snotty, dumb, materialistic, out of touch with reality, high-maintenance, etc." I learned from a very young age the hard work, intelligence, leadership, and poise every woman who competes for Miss Oklahoma obtains. As I began competing, I learned people sometimes mistook me for "having it all." I will say, I am a very fortunate individual, who is blessed with more than enough. However, all of my success came from a lot of hard work and sacrifices I decided to make on my own. Becoming relatable to my community, friends, and peers became my goal. Eventually I saw some of my closest friends realize the importance of an organization like Miss America. I wanted people who didn't know me to see the reason I compete. Not for a shiny crown, but for a position as an ambassador for my state, to gain scholarship, and to achieve personal goals I never dreamed of before competing in pageants.
Still, with the help of some pitiful YouTube examples of onstage question, and TV shows like "Honey Boo Boo" and "Todlers and Tiaras," the stereotype exists that we are nothing more than bimbos obsessed with vanity and pageantry.
This weekend, 30 young women spent 2 nights with no makeup, no running water, and no electricity. We cooked our own meals, pitched our own tents, and let our phone batteries exhaust so that we could spend a weekend getting to know each other on a personal level. Not as competitors, but as friends. It was incredibly refreshing to spend time with people who give to their community, strive for personal excellence, and believe in empowering women to reach their full potential.
On Saturday we were invited to Jacob's Ladder where we got to take part in an awesome ropes course! We were joined by a former MOOT's mother, who instructed us along with two men who didn't know a thing about pageants. Both admitted that they had stereotyped us into being prissy girls who didn't seem interested in doing a ropes course or climbing rock walls before they had even met us. After spending about 5 hours with them, and getting a little dirty as well as very sunburnt, they were able to see the real women we were. It was so neat to hear them say that we broke the stereotype for them.
I had a great time this weekend. And I am so happy I got to spend my first camping experience with all my best friends and sisters. I am now thoroughly excited about Miss Oklahoma week. And I'm challenging you to become more familiar with a girl before you just call her a pretty face. There is a lot behind the big hair and makeup, like an even bigger heart and a call to empower others.
xoxo,
Heather
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