Miss America Lauren Nelson Passes The Torch
I am handing over my crown at the Miss America pageant on Saturday, January 26, 2008. I’m pretty sad about it ending actually. I dedicated four or five years to this organization. It’s the end of an era in my life, and definitely a bitter sweet moment.
I don’t actually remember watching Miss America every year when I was a little girl in Oklahoma, but I do remember looking up to the girls that were competing. I was in awe of them, so to be able to represent that later on was just amazing.
I started competing when I was about 16 years old. Four years later, I was crowned Miss America 2007. (It’s interesting to note that there’s only ever been a couple Miss Americas that have done “kiddie pageants.”)
In those moments when we were waiting to hear who was to be crowned, I knew it could go only one of two ways; my life was either going to completely change, or I was going to go back to the life I knew.
When I was named Miss America, it was definitely surreal. The first thing I remember was looking into the crowd and seeing the Oklahoma crowd cheering for me. That moment flies by so fast that you really don’t even realize what’s happening.
I was definitely a bit apprehensive about my new job. I really have to tell you that the first week that I was Miss America was probably the hardest week of my life, because I was newly 20, traveling across the country and not knowing when I was going to get to go home and see familiar people.
I was definitely nervous about the responsibility. Everything you do and say is representing the Miss America organization. It is a lot of weight to carry because you’re reflecting all the other contestants and people involved. The judges definitely crown Miss America because she’s ready to take on that responsibility from the start.
After the first week, I settled into my job and started loving it.
The new Miss America will go through that same adjustment period too.
One piece of advice that I would love to give Miss America is to realize that every day that you’re Miss America is really a gift, and you need to appreciate that. You’re only Miss America once! Even on those days when you’re exhausted because you’ve been traveling and haven’t had a day off in three months, just stop and smell the roses because it’s never going to come around again.
One of the highlights this year for me was that I was Miss America during Oklahoma's centennial year, so I got to be a big part of all the celebrations with all the other Miss Americas from Oklahoma. That was a really neat experience for me.
The best thing was definitely working with Children’s Miracle Network. These kids are going through medical difficulties, recovering from car crashes and other traumas. Seeing these little kids with smiles on their faces really puts things into perspective for all of us and has really motivated me this year.
Reality Check
The great thing about the new reality show, Miss America Reality Check, is that America gets to see the girls before they compete and get to know them a little bit more. It’s obviously an attempt to modernize the pageant, but I have to say I love Miss America just the way it is and the way it’s always been.
Of course there’s always some negative publicity about pageants, like the pepper spray allegations made by Miss Puerto Rico, but the reality is really different. The competition is really friendly. We all show up ready to win and compete, but it’s never catty or hateful.
Of course when I won, some of the girls may have been disappointed that they didn’t win, because I know I would have been too. It takes years of hard work to get to that point, and it’s the last time that all of us can compete in that pageant, so of course it’s difficult to walk away. I know the girls were happy for me, just as I would have been happy for her had someone else won.
We’re all very close and we’re poised, mature and responsible, so that’s why you don’t see any cat fights. We have good heads on our shoulders.
The Skinny On The Swimsuit Competition
I don’t think the swimsuit competition is controversial at all. This competition is designed to show whether you’re in shape or not, and the swimsuit competition does that. To be Miss America you have to have more going on too. You have to be well-rounded - you don't have to be the best in every category, but you have to be good in every category. It’s all about having a healthy lifestyle. When you’re traveling all over the country, you need to be healthy!
Steering Clear Of Scandal
People have asked me if I think women who’ve been found to have posed in suggestive photographs before the competition should have to give up their crowns. I’m not going to comment on any specific situation, but I will say it goes back to the fact that you’re representing the organization. Every move that you make and every picture you take reflects back on Miss America as a whole, and it’s so important to keep that in mind.
Passing The Torch
This whole experience has allowed me to grow so much and I’ll carry that with me for the rest of my life.
I’ve never given much thought to how I feel about getting older, but I do think it’s important to age gracefully. It doesn’t scare me or anything to think that my body’s not always going to look this way.
As for plans for the future, I’m moving back to Tulsa, Oklahoma and will keep traveling and speaking as the former Miss America. I’ve still got a lot of schooling to do, so I’m going to study to be a high school music teacher.
I can’t make any predictions about who will be crowned this week. I haven’t had much time to get to know the girls yet. Tonight is the first night I’ll actually be meeting them. They’re all prepared, that’s for sure. It will be very exciting.
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