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Photo Credit : Nicholai Roska
PASADENA------
It’s not often that this writer joins in on the action personally. But like Hannah Montana, I just couldn’t bear to walk away without getting the best of both worlds. After going through the very brief but nerve-wracking interview process, I took off that number tag and put on my media badge.
It was a hot day at Tournament House, and while eyes were on the prize, the girls never developed an air of animosity. Instead, I felt welcomed and embraced by the amazing women surrounding me. Encouraged rather than beaten down.
"It's something I've been wanting to do since I was a kid," says Augie from La Salle College Preparatory. "You just have to be yourself and go in it."
She looks around, motioning to the other people she's just met on site. "These girls are doing amazing things and they're gonna go so far in life"
Her friend, Pammi, weighs in. "I think it's a great outreach program." She continues to defend its legitimacy, saying "I think the stigma behind beauty pageants in general is problematic."
"Girls can be beautiful and intelligent and talented and all of the above. It's not one or the other."
For girls in the Pasadena area, getting on the Royal Court is as close to royalty as they can get to. For some, it’s a lifelong dream. For Lauren from Rosemead High School, she says she joined to "to improve her public speaking skills".
That dream doesn’t just include getting to cruise around on a float on New Year’s Day. Girls selected to be on the final seven of the court are to receive a $7,500 educational scholarship, take etiquette lessons, attend over 100 different events to promote volunteerism and giving back to the local community, as well as receive a personal wardrobe stylist and makeup artist sponsored by Macy’s.
When asked about those who view the Rose Court as a beauty pageant, Sienna from Flintridge Prep answered, "I understand where they're coming from... I was out of that world."
"But when you talk to these girls, it's clear it's about a lot more than how you look." She recognizes that "They have 4.0 GPAs, they're the president of clubs, they're involved in their community."
Rebecca from Maranatha details her nerves going into the interview. "You're in there 20 seconds tops, it's a bit high stakes. "
"But then you meet all the previous queens and princesses. And you see that they're smart. They're very capable."
So to the cynics out there: it’s not a beauty pageant. For one, a beauty pageant would require the very lengthy and extensive process of anything ranging from a swimsuit competition or talent show. Perhaps I wasn’t paying enough attention, which I doubt, but I failed to see a Gracie Lou Freebush playing the water glasses or a Becky Ann Leeman dress up as Mount Rushmore.
Maude from Marshall Fundamental "I have ADHD," she says, "and I would love the opportunity to represent other young women with ADHD."
Maude goes on, "Our disability is invisible, and for any girls who's felt like they thought they were too much."
In response to criticism of the court, Maude said "I don't think the court is just a pageant.To diminish girls to just their looks just because they happen to also be beautiful... I don't think that's true."
On Tuesday, girls all over Pasadena found out whether they made the first cut. From there, a series of three interview rounds will ensue to get to the final seven.
To any of the girls dreaming, may the odds be ever in your favor.
Photo Credit: Katareena Roska
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