Miss Teen Seattle

About a month or so ago I received an invitation to be a judge for the Miss Teen Seattle pageant.  Admittedly, when I first read the e-mail I about fell out of my chair with laughter.  Why ME!?  I knew it wasn’t because of my extensive pageant experience (zero), or my beauty school charm (failed)!  So, WHY ME was a burning question.  Even after the event, I couldn’t tell you exactly why I was chosen.  However, it was a once in a lifetime experience.

Our first day was filled with young girls strutting in for their interviews.  Some were confident, full of smiles and perky attitude.  Others were so shy and nervous, never looking up at the panel of judges.  My  heart felt for them as I could only imagine being 11 years old facing 5 judges filled with questions about why you are doing the pageant, how you would handle different situations, your life dreams, etc..  At 11 years old I was either spending the day in the swimming pool with my friends or playing with Hot Wheels with my neighbor.  I wasn’t the girly girl, while not a total tom boy either.

Pageant day, some of those girls who were so nervous and could barely speak were suddenly morphed into a smiling, heads up confident young lady on stage.  While I’m not a fan of the Tot’s in Tieria or tots in pageants, I can see as a pre teen how this type of pageant can help to build their self esteem and confidence.  To the credit of the Miss Teen Seattle Pageant, the contestants weren’t limited to the ‘Barbie’ types.  But included girls of all backgrounds, sizes, shapes, ethnicity, and their freedom to express their own unique personalities.

Below are a few photographs that my husband took of the event.   He wasn’t an official photographer and was only there to document on my behalf.  Though, I think they should have asked my husband to be the pageant photographer and let the producer continue with his production work. =)  Yes, I’m being biased.

2012 Miss Jr Pre-Teen Seattle winner, Olivia.

2012 Miss Pre-Teen Seattle winner, Iren. 

I was a judge for Miss Pre-Teen Seattle and Miss Jr Teen Seattle divisions.

2012 Miss Jr Teen Seattle winner, Starr, and her star was certainly shining tonight. 

And the winner of Miss Teen Seattle is …..

2012 Miss Teen Seattle, Naomi.

The judges of the pageant.  Thank-you to the pageant producers for allowing me this opportunity!

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