On March 22, sophomore Aubrie Kate Woods and junior Zoe Winn competed in the Miss Orange County Pageant. Although Woods is an experienced pro, for Winn this pageant was one of the first she has ever competed in.
For many people the most enjoyable part of a pageant is the opportunity to share their heart with the judges. For Winn, the most enjoyable part is the chance to learn something new.
“In my first pageant, the most enjoyable part was learning how I should walk on stage with my cousin as my coach,” Winn said. “In the second one it was my interview because I got to talk about all the things that make me who I am.”
Ever since Woods faced her fears and started competing in pageants, she said she has become a whole different person.
“After years of struggling with depression, anxiety, fear, and a lack of confidence, I had finally found my voice,” Woods said. “That is why I complete, because of how pageants have changed my life for the better. Without pageants I would have never found my people, or a sisterhood of the most amazing girls, but most importantly myself,” Woods said.
From the early-morning wake-up calls to always missing something, lots of things can go wrong on pageant day. As a newcomer, Winn was stressed.
“Pageant day was very stressful,” Winn said. “I was worried about every little detail and all I could think about was eating at La Cantina in Beaumont after.”
For Woods, the most challenging part of pageants is walking on stage.
“It sounds silly I know, but standing backstage is when all the nerves kick in and try to get in my head,” Woods said. “Just knowing I have my family supporting me and God surrounding me helps me overcome those feelings of fear.”
Throughout this process, Winn said she learned a lot about herself and took a different view on things moving forward as this brought her confidence but also a realization for herself.
“I learned that I am an incredibly supportive person for everyone I meet,” Winn said. “I also appreciate everything God has blessed me with. For me, competing in these pageants helped me gain a little bit of confidence. It also helped me learn how to talk to new people including judges and new friends.”
Overall, everyone has a different take on pageants, whether it is a discovery about who they are or an unforgettable experience.
“Through pageants my main goal is to share my story,” Woods said. “I know what it feels like to look in the mirror and not recognize the girl looking back at me because of the negative things I was speaking about in my life. This is why I chose to start my platform ‘Positively Pretty,’ where I aim to bring awareness to the power of being positive and sharing encouragement to my community and those online. You never know what someone else is going through and sometimes all you need is a little bit of positivity. So always remember, positive is pretty!”
