My Newest Challenge: Miss Florida USA
“What would be your dream accomplishment, if nothing could stop you?” -Bryiana Dyrdek asked a crowd of girls at the Iconic Beauty event I attended this past summer. I really thought about it and I wrote Miss Universe. I don’t think I ever told anyone that because I didn’t want people to judge or expect something ridiculous of me. But when it comes down to the nitty gritty of it all, aside from being the most recognized title in the world, there’s so many aspects of it that can change an entire girl’s life.
I’m sure it’s every pageant girls’ dream to be Miss Universe. The recognition alone cannot go unnoticed. Before I was a pageant girl, I was a lame tomboy nerd and the first time I watched the Miss Universe pageant on TV, the contestants were competing in swimsuit to my favorite song, Daft Punk’s “One More Time.” I had never seen a bikini before, so I literally asked my mom why were these girls wearing bra and underwear around stage. She didn’t exactly answer my question so I just thought it was so bizarre.
Fast forward to my tween years, I’m starting pageants but I’m still a lame nerd. Now my family watches the Miss Universe pageant every year. One year I remember vividly was when Riyo Mori, Miss Japan, won Miss Universe. I couldn’t believe an Asian girl was able to win such a prestigious title. I know that sounds silly, but my father told me when I started I would never place because of my oriental appearance. I had a pretty bad self esteem and based so much of my worth on my looks, but thank goodness pageants and modeling helped me get past that (and prove my father wrong).
Now I’m 22, and I’m turning 23 next month. Miss USA and Miss Universe is an event my family watches together like how typical American families watch the Superbowl. I’ve even had the opportunity to watch both events live and I will be cheering on my incredible friend Frida Fornander who is MISS SWEDEN UNIVERSE! I’ve had the opportunity to represent my city, state, and even country in numerous systems. I’ve traveled around the world and met some of the most amazing people through pageantry. But the one system I didn’t compete in, and almost avoided, was Miss USA. I was honestly intimidated just by the name, and never in my mind thought I’d be able to be like those confident girls on TV. When I compete I overthink EVERYTHING, and I can’t even imagine how I’d handle putting my crazy analytical brain into such a system. I would put all this unnecessary pressure on myself and later psyche myself out. “It’s just not the year. I don’t want to work out!” etc.
After I compete in a pageant, win or lose I always wonder what is the next step. How can I improve myself? I don’t think I would find as much joy in it if I wasn’t feeling like I was taking on a new challenge. It’s not a title or placement that determines my improvement, but moreso my ability to understand my strengths and weaknesses and how to apply/improve upon them in the future. As I keep on trying to take on the next new challenge ahead, I’ve found my newest hurdle coming up.
After much thought, I’ve decided to compete at Miss Florida USA this December. I will be representing the 305 as Miss Miami-Dade County and continue to push environmental initiatives across the state of Florida and around the world. I will unapologetically be myself, the lame nerd with a passion for pageants and service, and take part in this incredible experience. Within two years I have overcome many challenges I feared but always had the secret desire of doing, including but not limited to driving, modeling, and traveling around the world. The only thing ever stopping me was myself, and I’m ready to take on Miss Florida USA full throttle!
This article was originally published in my personal journal misselizabethtran.wordpress.com but has been transferred over
