Testimonials

With the base with of the music vibrating the curtains backstage, I thought to myself, “is this the music or is it my heart getting ready to explode out of my chest?”  In that moment it could very well have been both.  I began shaking as if something terrible was about to happen.  Then I heard it, “MISS FRISCO”.  I began to force a smile at the hundred eyes looking directly at me. Soon it became physically impossible to hold a true grin.  Why?  I was deathly afraid of putting myself out there in an environment I have never seen before.  With every step I feared what I “looked like, if I’d fall, and if I was good enough”.

I went back to our hotel to 50+ texts saying how awesome I did, but I didn’t believe it.  I turned my headphones on and attempted to drown out my thoughts, and then it him me.  For the past 10 months, I’ve preached to little girls how to be confident in yourself.  Yet, I couldn’t and, most definitely didn’t do it.  I began to fill my thoughts and focus on the “what if” mentality and my heart began to slow down.  I knew deep down that if I didn’t step up and give the next night (Saturday) everything I had; I’d regret it the rest of my life.

Rehearsal day two began and it was the start of something beautiful; my own journey to love myself.  I practiced with those blank chairs as if it was those eyeballs staring back at me.  I was slowly learning to love my own skin.  The thought of “I’m too short, I’ve never done this, I’m not pretty enough…” was gone.  Finally, Saturday night came.  I put on my heels and when we went backstage, my heart was at ease – no expectations, no comparisons, loving and remaining secure in the fact that I was fearfully and wonderfully made.  I began to walk with my uncoached, god-made ability to walk, and to my surprise, I was able to soak in EVERY STEP.  In the very moment that I stopped at the end of the runway to look the judges in the eyes was the moment that I realized that the world was at my fingertips, that I can do anything I want to do.

At the end of the day, I didn’t win, nor did I place.  But above all of that, I found the true gift that you have been giving to your women all along, confidence.  I am a huge believer that I am placed in moments for various reasons, and I am so beyond grateful for getting the opportunity to experience this moment through your pageant.  This was my first pageant, and most likely my last.  (This girl has lots of grad school loans to pay off.)  But I will always spread the word to younger girls about the power of a pageant!  I have been extremely encouraged to relentlessly pursue any opportunity this world has to offer, and I thank you from the bottom of my heart.  I wish you and the Crystal Group nothing but further growth and success in the future!

Hopefully, one day, somehow, we cross paths again!  Until then, I’ll be rooting you on each year.  The quote I live by is this…” wind extinguishes a candle but energizes a fire.”  Likewise, randomness, uncertainty, and chaos:  you want to use them, not to run and hide from them.  “BE FIRE AND WISH FOR THE WIND.”

…I wanted to thank you for the privilege to compete this weekend and tell you how much I learned throughout the whole experience. I want to thank you for…and how kind each and every member of the organization I had the pleasure of meeting. I have dreamed about competing at Miss Texas since I was 8 years old and it felt so amazing finally being on that stage and I can’t wait to compete again next year! … Again, I cannot thank you enough for one of the best weekends of my life and everything your organization has taught me so far. Thank you so much!!

A week ago I came back from a wonderful opportunity where I stepped into a social arena I never thought I would have the courage to step into. Three months ago, if someone would have told me that I was going to participate in what I did know was going to be an amazing opportunity to meet and connect with some beautiful people on the inside out and be a part of something bigger than everything I thought it was going to be, I would have a hard time believing them. The pageant was about something more than winning. It was about having fun, being around people your age and making memories that will last a lifetime. The Miss Texas Teen USA Pageant has given me so much confidence, encouragement and self-worth. I want to thank the Crystal Group for letting me be a part of the Miss Texas Teen USA Pageant.

When I first signed up for the pageant, I did not think it would be something I would ever see myself doing. My friends convinced me it would be an amazing opportunity and I couldn’t be more happy that I signed up.

Because of this pageant, I have had more self growth in the past few months than I have in my entire life. I have felt more at home, more included, and more love at this pageant than I have felt in any of my few dance teams and friend groups. These girls and this pageant taught me self love, empowerment among women, and skills that I will carry not only to my next pageant but for the rest of my life.

Since joining this pageant, I plan to take this incredibly serious and pursue this next pageant with open arms. I’m so happy I have found something that has changed my outlook on life, and helped me in the way that it has. I now understand that these titles follow you with a great honor and responsibility, and couldn’t be more excited to take it on. Thank you for all the wonderful lessons learned, I feel so blessed to have many more in the future.

Thank You For It All

…Again, thank you!