Sneakers for Stilettos

Until recently, being a pageant queen was only a fantasy for this self proclaimed "tomboy". I was always one of the guys, and could only be found wearing a dress on rare occasion. Getting all dolled up just wasn't practical for playing in the mud, or running around with my friends. Two of my favorite activities. You could not keep me inside, I was very active and constantly on the move, if you know me today, not much as changed. Nowadays you can find me running around wearing stiletto heels leaving people wondering, how does she do that?

I have come a long way from the very shy and timid young girl that I was. I always tried my best to fit in, never wanting to draw attention to myself. This all began to change when I moved from Springfield to East Longmeadow in sixth grade. I began to get in touch with my girly side, and truly find myself. I wanted to wear dresses, and even makeup, like most of my new girlfriends. I still wasn't ready to give up my tomboy roots and can remember wearing dressy skirts with football and baseball jerseys, hiding my shorts underneath. Looking back, I laugh and wonder how my mother let me out of the house! I think she was just glad that I had stopped wearing all of my brothers clothes. At the time it was my way of living the best of both worlds. I discovered that one of the best forms of self expression was just being myself. For me, being accepted was the most validating feeling. Although I was still shy,  I was becoming more outgoing in social settings and was able to make many new friends. I loved living in this new town and began to grow into a young woman due to all of the experiences that East Longmeadow had to offer. I joined the suburban soccer team, made the cheerleading squad and began to dance. I was, and always will be a proud Spartan.

I remember seeing Miss East Longmeadow for the first time, it was life-changing to say the least. The Miss East Longmeadow pageant was a local preliminary to the Miss Massachusetts Pageant. In my town, she was the face of what young women aspire to be. As she rode by me on her float in the 4th of July parade, I remember thinking to myself how perfect she was. She was more amazing than any princess that the great Walt Disney himself could have dreamed up. Miss East Longmeadow was everything I imagined the perfect young woman to be. Not only was she beautiful, she was smart. All I knew was that I wanted to be her one day.

I pictured myself wearing a crown and waving at the crowd with perfect poise, and could not help but smile. I decided I was going to be a titleholder. I would do anything to make that dream a reality. She opened my eyes to all of the wonderful things that The Miss America Organization had to offer young women.

I had no idea that seeing her ride by that day would eventually change my life. This is where it all began...