Sticky buns: Beauty pageant's lessons remain

By Gentri Lawrence

Septemer 21, 2005 | In my youth I was your classic ugly duckling teenager, a nerd who rarely took the spotlight. While crossing the gap between childhood and adulthood, the time came for me to be brave. Ready to expand my opportunities and push my limitations, I signed up for the Miss Tooele County Beauty Pageant.

The weeks before the pageant were spent in preparation for the four areas of competition: the swimsuit, talent, on-stage interview and evening wear. Hours were dedicated to perfecting my vocal number and shaping up my midsection through exercises. Dangling rhinestone earrings that weighed down my ears and sparkling necklaces were purchased to accent my ensembles and I strutted around in the tallest pair of strappy high heels I have ever worn. Answers to possible questions were rehearsed again and again in an effort to be ready for the upcoming pageant.

The night finally arrived and all the preparation and my courage would be put to the test. By the time I entered the large auditorium my outfits were all in order, my hair was done up, long fake eyelashes were applied and I was ready for competition. Girls all around me in the dressing room were busily organizing massive amounts of beauty products. Makeup was caked on, then reapplied, and not a hair was out of place due to the regular dousing of hairspray. The other contestants were enthusiastically giving encouragement while secretly wishing that the others would really break a leg.

The first event was the swimsuit. Never in my life have I enjoyed walking around in a swimsuit, not even in swimming lessons when I was 5. Nonetheless, it was time to try new things and if the competition included a swimsuit, I would do it. The carefully selected black one-piece suit fit perfectly, accented by a bright tropical flower in my hair. While I'm taking one last look in the mirror, a stranger suddenly lifts up the back of my suit and starts spraying a foreign substance on my bum. Being in a swimsuit was uncomfortable by itself without adding some stranger gluing it down. After having the Spandex patted into place, my bum passed inspection for perfect suit placement and was ushered onto the stage. Relax, you can do this, I reassured myself. Stepping out onto the stage I smiled and feigned confidence, hoping that the audience couldn't see my nerves. In what seemed like just a couple of seconds, I was done. There was not a moment to breathe, I peeled off my suit to get ready for the next segment of competition -- the talent.

The first chords of my Spanish-style song filled the auditorium. Quickly relaxing into character, I batted my fan and sang the story to the judges and audience. Suddenly the music stops 10 seconds from the end of my piece. Technical difficulties were pronounced and forced me to do the entire song again. I maintained composure and performed another decent show.

Now halfway through the competition the dressing room was in disarray. With little time to prepare, girls were frantically looking through the mess of nylons, shoes and bobby pins for items to produce polished exteriors. I reapplied another coat of glossy lipstick for the next phase of competition, the on-stage interview. My tan suit was neatly pressed and ready to slip on. My confidence waned, stepping onto the stage; it is funny the impact that bright lights have on my composure, my heart pounds wildly and my mind goes blank. I don't remember the questions that they asked or even what I answered. The whole thing was a blur. I have a deep respect for people who can sound intelligent under stressful circumstances, a trait that I desire to possess.

It was down to the last event, evening wear. My beaded cream dress made me look and feel like the changed woman Audrey Hepburn becomes in My Fair Lady. My dress, jewelry and eyes sparkled under the lights as I delicately walked, like a ballerina en pointe. Forgetting the judges and my nerves, I gracefully and confidently glided over the designated pattern. In a few short moments I was exiting the stage and the competition was over. The contestants continued on the stage one by one completing their walks.

Finally all contestants were called to the stage. Peering into the audience the realization came to me that it didn't really matter what happened. I had performed to the best of my ability and maintained composure in stressful situations. That night the ugly duckling had turned into the swan and was ready for flight. Whatever the outcome success was already mine because of my willingness to be brave and to do things I never imagined possible. There are defining moments in each person's life when they have the courage to push their limits. This was one of those moments.

Names started to be called for awards, Miss Congeniality, the Talent Award and the Outstanding Service Award. Listening to each name I clapped and smiled, hiding any disappointment at not being selected, which is one of the most challenging aspects of pageants.

Tension filled the room waiting for the all important royalty results to be announced. "Gentri Lawrence," the announcer said. It took me a second to realize that was my name before stepping into center stage. Scholarship money and flowers were draped into my arms as I was crowned the first attendant and also received the additional service award. The other attendant and queen stood crowned as the audience cheered as disappointed girls in the background quietly clapped. After winning, the awards still didn't really matter, it was the internal accomplishments that made me successful that night.

Since the pageant I have looked for more defining opportunities and have been able to further develop myself. Rhinestone earrings were removed but the lessons learned have never left. It is at those defining moments that work and courage combine to reveal true self.

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