Next Level Youth Jr. Pre-Teen Winner

June 4, 2011

Dear Diary,

I can't believe I won!!

The audience was quiet, the music to "Just the Way You Are" by Bruno Mars started and the announcer says, "And the winner is...Contestant Number 18!!"

Wow! I just won my first pageant!! I was so excited and filled with joy. I kept looking at my parents the whole time. As they were crowning me, all I could think about was how happy I was. You can hear my dad calling out my name and crying (LOL). My brothers, friend and grandparents were also in the audience. They were so excited for me as well. Here is a picture of all of them.

The weeks leading to the pageant was filled with workshops. The Director Evelyn McCloed and Co-Director Mrs. Pandora worked with the all the girls. They taught us how to walk in our evening gowns, say our personal introduction and helped us practice our questions from the judges. We even had a special appearance from Ms. Beth Leska, Former Mrs. New Jersey United States 2006, Reigning Mrs. Philadelphia International and Founder of Ab Fab Girls. She talked to us about having confidence, grace, humility and kindness. She also talked to us about the importance of education.

Many of the dresses were donated to the the girls. We had a lot of sponsors that help put the pageant together.

I am so blessed to have been a part of this pageant. I made many new friends and mentors that I would have not have met if it weren't for this pageant.

This dear diary is the beginning of my pageant stories...