Am I fat? Can I be beautiful outside of a pageant?

During one of my experiences at a pageant, we were about to go on stage for the swimsuit competition. One of the contestants for the outstanding teen competition asked me if she looked fat in her sports bra and spandex (The teen version of the swimsuit competition). This broke my heart that a teenager would ask this sort of question! I often thought this about myself during high school, but never had said it out loud. The truth is, this girl was perfectly thin for this competition. I looked at this girl and said “please don’t ever say that again. You have more beauty than you know what to do with!” This encounter made me think about how girls can be affected by this sort of competition.

Going into this type of pageant is so much more to me than questioning my worth in the sight of the judges, but more so that I can help someone else see their own worth in themselves and in God. There is so much more to this Miss America pageant than winning. It’s about the platform that I choose to represent, the scholarship money that can aid in my college debt, and gaining more confidence in myself. 

I found a small article while searching for self-image in pageants and it says this, “There’s so much more to pageants that not everybody gets to see. If someone doesn’t win a pageant, it can cause that person to think things like, ‘I’m ugly because the judges didn’t pick me, there’s something wrong with me, or I’m not good enough because I didn’t win.” If someone is only told that they’re beautiful when they’re all done up for a pageant, that can have a huge affect on their self-esteem. It is very important to know who you are and your reasons behind entering before being a part of this competition so you don’t get caught up in the lie of “You’re not beautiful.”

Psalms 139:23,24 Search me, O God, and know my heart: Try me and know my anxious thoughts; And see if there be any hurtful way in me, And lead me in the everlasting way.”

Just a thought:)
Aria

Into the School

I have had the privilege to create my own platform, "Life Changing Moments Through Music." The short of it is that I am going into McMurray School and teaching Ashley Kim's (a friend from church) class an introduction to violin. My first day was extremely successful. They were silent from the moment I walked in. Ashley explained who I was and what I was there to do. Then, I continued to explain why I was there and that I wanted to further their knowledge of music.

These kids were attentive listeners and enjoyed each style that I played. I played classical, bluegrass, and did a fiddle tune. I played a tune called Black and White Rag. This tune sparked their interest because they had studied about rag music from the 20's in a previous music class. We enjoyed our time together and even took an "Ellen" selfie before the bell rang.

I am returning regularly to the class and am loving my time with these kids!

Aria