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Why I Compete in the Miss America Organization

Writer's picture: Topanga ScherfTopanga Scherf

When people find out I compete in the Miss America Organization they usually pretty quickly after ask me why. It’s understandable when there’s a lot of misinformation and assumptions made about people who compete in pageants. Some common myths are that women are being objectified or that it’s strictly a competition of beauty.

I’m here to tell you that couldn’t be further from the truth. I decided to start competing in MAO when I was a freshmen in college after 11 years in Girl Scouts. Not many people realize how similar the organizations are, but the two truly share so many values. During my time in Girl Scouts I gained independence, met some incredible girls, and learned how to enact change in my community.

Much like Girl Scouts, Miss America not only teaches young women to improve their public speaking abilities but also helps them make the world a better place with their community service initiative. The CSI, formerly known as a Social Impact Initiative or Platform, allows women to speak on something they are passionate about. This is what inspires me so much about the Miss America Organization. Each woman has a different community service initiative that is personal to them. Every one of them has a story.

The women in this organization are not judged on their appearance. They’re judged on their ability to speak eloquently and share their passions and beliefs. It’s a beautiful thing to have so many strong, confident women together on a stage. Because while it might be a competition, it’s also the most inspiring experience in the world to stand along side the women who are the future.

So why do I compete in the Miss America Organization? I started competing because it looked fun and it aligned with values I learned in Girl Scouts. But I kept competing because I found myself growing more than I even thought possible. I found friends, and I started finding myself.



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