Pageant supports students
Miss Cache Valley is an annual pageant held for students who attend or are planning to attend USU the following year. Seventeen girls will compete this year on March 5 to win a two-year, full-tuition scholarship.
In addition, the first runner-up will receive a $2,500 tuition scholarship for one year, and the second, third and fourth runners-up receive $1,500 in tuition waivers.
Shay Hatch, a sophomore in electrical engineering, is the reigning Miss Cache Valley. She said she has gained a lot from representing the people of Cache Valley in the last year.
“I’ve gotten to be a better example and keep my standards higher,” Hatch said.
Hatch also said she enjoys working with the current contestants.
“I think my favorite part about this pageant in particular is the girls who try out for it and compete,” Hatch said. “They have high standards and show a lot of respect.”
Alyssa Mustoe, a junior in civil engineering and first-time pageant competitor, agreed that the other contestants were fun to work with.
“I’ve never done a pageant before, and I thought it would be a fun, new experience,” Mustoe said. “Everyone is really nice and helpful, especially the girls with more experience. They’re willing to share advice.”
Mustoe said the stress of taking extra time away from school is the only negative of being in the pageant.
“It might be intimidating to people who’ve never done a pageant before, but I’ve only gained from competing,” Mustoe said. “It’s not just about the pretty dresses and makeup, but it’s also about making a difference in the community and scholarships.”
Hatch said service was a key part of being named Miss Cache Valley 2010.
“People in the community like to have title holders come and speak,” Hatch said. “I’ve been able to talk to youth about not doing drugs or drinking alcohol. It’s kind of cool being able to serve like that.”
Mustoe said participating in the pageant has given her more confidence and caused her to plan ahead.
“It helps me think about the future, like what do you want to be five years from now,” Mustoe said.
Courtney Mair, a senior at Mountain Crest High who plans on attending USU after graduation in May, is one of the younger contestants this year. She said she is one of two competitors still in high school. She plans on majoring in elementary education and minoring in special education.
“It’s intimidating because I know what I want to do with my life, but they (the contestants in college) are actually on the path doing it,” Mair said. “It’s exciting watching them and thinking about college.”
Mair said she has competed in seven or eight pageants but still gets nervous.
“I’m nervous about pretty much everything,” Mair said. “I’m excited, but no matter how prepared you are, you still get nervous because you get to show everyone all your hard work.”
Pageant director Debbie Peterson said there are five categories the contestants compete in: Talent, personal interview, evening wear, physical fitness and the on-stage question, drawn from the “bowl of doom.”
Participants also must choose a platform to support during their year of service. Mustoe’s platform is supporting arts in education, and Hatch’s was encouraging youth to abstain from drugs and alcohol.
Peterson said she has been volunteering with the Miss America program for 19 years since it started. She said Miss America began as a swimsuit pageant and evolved from there to scholarships and service.
“The lifestyle and fitness part is important so the judges can see a girl’s confidence and poise,” Peterson said. “If you can have confidence and poise in a swimsuit, you can do almost anything.”
Marissa Crookston, a senior majoring in graphic design, said participating in pageants like this helps with gaining confidence.
“I decided to do the pageant this year to get a better persona about myself,” Crookston said. “With graphic design I’m always getting critiqued and judged, so it’ll prepare me better for that. It pushes me to that level of feeling uncomfortable. It will help me with confidence throughout my life.”
Tiffani Rudd, co-director and judges chair for the event, has been with the program for 10 years. She said the pageant builds confidence and better prepares contestants for “the real world.”
“I like to see girls do it for the right reasons,” Rudd said. “Occasionally you will run into the crown-chasers and mothers who live vicariously through their daughters competing, but we don’t really have that this year. These are great girls.”
“Watching the growth in the girls from the time they start our workshop to the finish of the competition is just satisfactory,” Peterson said.
Crookston said the girls competing this year defy stereotypes.
“Sometimes people have the attitude that we’re silly pageant girls, but this year the group is rockin’,” Crookston said. “They’re all really talented and genuine.”
Mair said part of the experience of participating in a pageant is meeting new people.
“You really do gain a lot of new friends,” Mair said. “People show their true colors. You also get to do service and appreciate what you have and what people do for you.”
Each girl prepares differently for the competition, but all have parts they look forward to.
“I’ve worked really hard on my talent this year because it’s my passion,” Crookston said. “I’m excited to present it and impress the judges.”
“My favorite part of a pageant is the evening gown,” Mair said. “I love wearing the dress. It’s probably the calmest part. You just get to be you, and you’re not trying to be anyone else.”
Peterson said the Miss America program is the largest scholarship program in the world for women, awarding more than $45 million to contestants each year.
“It’s a great program and a great way to prepare for job interviews,” Peterson said. “I wouldn’t continue to do it if I didn’t enjoy it.”
The pageant will be this Saturday from 7-9 p.m. at the Ellen Eccles Theatre.
– m.noble@aggiemail.usu.edu