So. This is my news, I am considering being a contestant on... (the price is right? No.) Miss Illinois USA.
Really, I applied only because my dearest Aunty B guilted me into it... and because it would make a great article (that I will probably never write).
At first my application was just a joke, like this is no big deal... and then I got an email and call from Karen, a lady with the pageant and she asked me for more information... I really wouldn't have done it if she wouldn't of actually called.
So I sent in the additional information, chalk full of random shuffs like:
Q: Tell me about your state.
A: When you think about Illinois, you probably think about Chicago, but really, we have so much more to offer. When I was 18, a friend and I took a trip to Paris, Rome, Manhattan, Lebanon, and Venice and they were all in Illinois! This state has more than a big city and corn fields to boast about, it's got a lot of really great people, top of the line Universities, gorgeous scenery and many historical cities.
I was just really relaxed about it all.
....Then the next day I woke up to an email saying: Congrats! You are a contestant for Miss Illinois USA, all you have to do now is send a nonrefundable application fee $285 to... blah blah blah sssskkkeeerrrtttt... uhhh 300 bucks? Umm nope.
And then a Sponsorship fee of $1000? Double nope.
And then that pesky Karen called again... and thoroughly got me excited.
Well maaayyybbeee...
So I texted my best friend Chris... and he was like, you go do that thang gurl, and whatnot.
Today I started actually looking though all the info and possible sponsors when I suddenly stumbled on other Miss Illinois USA contestants...
Uhhhhh... They've already raised thousands of dollars and have all these singing talents and stuffs and are gorgeous.
Ugh. Then I had a panic attack.
I called emailed and called Karen because she seemed so sweet and supportive before.
My stupid phone decided this would be the perfect time to screw up so I was thrown off by that, and then Karen didn't remember who I was and that threw me too like how many thousands of people did she call and did my application not stand out at all? Full blown anxiety.
Karen couldn't understand any of my panicked rushed words and then my phone hung up on her. That was an utter disaster.
Then my cousin Bridget called.
I had texted her earlier to see if the company she worked for ever sponsored these kind of things, but when she called, I was so anxious, thrown off and relieved to talk to her that I just asked her for guidance.
She actually knew the winner of a Miss Wisconsin USA pageant and gave me her email address.
She then told me that I was beautiful, competent, poised and a good role model.
I was so glad for her encouragement that I actually didn't feel like crying for a minute.
I should have called Karen back right after that but I was so embarrassed by our previous phone call that I couldn't bring myself to do it.
I went back to researching sponsors and pageant questions with a new confidence and excitement.
I got my oil changed and then picked up my good girl friend Breanna.
She is also a Journalism major and is amazing at helping me sort stuffs out, figure out what needs to be done, and how to do it.
We got together the peaces of my portfolio and picked up a Membership Directory from the McLean Country Chamber of Commerce.
I need to not only find financial backers, but also sponsors for my hair, dress, make up, nails and swim suit.
I am itching to make this all public (via facebook) but I know that I have to wait and see what next week brings.
I got really down earlier today was because I called one of my sisters to help me.
She is a creative genius and we used to have SO much fun doing this kind of thing together.
She asked me why I wanted to be in something so superficial and told me that we might be able to grab a cup of coffee together next week.
It really, really crushed me because I wanted her support and enthusiasm more than anyone in the world.
But you know what? I can't be so easily discouraged.
I will give it one trial week to see if I can raise enough money to pay the application fee and to give me momentum, and then I will officially become a Miss Illinois USA contestant.
I have one friend, Karl that offered $100 and head shots already, so YAY!
My current goal is to raise enough money through sponsorships to pay the initial application fee by next week.
My pageant goal is to make it to the top ten girls at Miss Illinois.
My overall goal is use this as a platform for empowering women.
There are a million things against me but so many people supporting me, as well.
The thing that I need to work on most is my composure.
I tend to blank and panic when I'm not prepared for something.
I need to prepare!!
And relax.
So I'm going to do this.
I'm going to do this!
You know why?
Because I am passionate and ambitious!
I am a friggen winner!
I am going to be a great role model and I will infect others with my passion and enthusiasm.
And I will use this as a platform for female empowerment.
Damn right.
Summer, why do you want to do this?
Judge: "Why are you in this pageant?"
"Honestly, I think that I contain all of the qualities that you want a title holder to have. Every single day I strive to be a better person than I was the day before. I am passionate about empowering people. Above all else, I love people. When I was looking at the website for Miss USA, what stood out to me most was the opportunity for empowerment. I want to use this title as a platform for my passion to empower people. I believe that this will help me play my small part in helping create a better society."
BORING. "world peace" BLAH.
What will make me stand out?!
What makes me different?
What is my Platform Statement?
I want to empower women. Okay... Elaborate...
The more I research previous winners and contestants, the more nervous I get.
My fingers are tingling.
Why do I want this so badly?
Is it because I constantly have the need to prove my worth or is it because the further away it is, the more I want it?
Okay, well in the mean time, I think I'll start making my website and then organize my portfolio.
It is going to be extremely difficult but I can do this.
Afterall, if it was easy, everyone would be doing it.
