Confession: I’m a bit of a pageant junkie.

My aunt was named Miss Kansas 1985 while I was in elementary school; and when I saw her introduce herself on national television while competing for the title of Miss America, I was hooked.

Fast-forward several decades later.

Last weekend I attended the 100th Anniversary of Miss America held at Mohegan Sun Casino in Uncasville, Connecticut.  Through my official “Pageant Junkie” status, I’ve been to Miss America before — but because this was the 100th anniversary (the pageant started on the boardwalk in Atlantic City in 1921) — I simply couldn’t imagine missing it.

I snagged a gorgeous room on the seventh floor in Sky Tower — it was super spacious and had just the right design combination of modern lines with plush materials, like a tufted loveseat in the corner and thick, textured carpet under my bare feet.

The bathroom was large as well, with a beautiful inlay on the tile floor, and a large tub.

But nobody goes to Miss America to stay in the room.

So I ventured out and about, catching up with old friends and making new ones while looking to charge my phone. And although my time at Miss America was short-lived (only one night), I also had a few moments to interact directly with several of the contestants and encourage them on their journey, including the eventual winner, Miss Alaska, Emma Broyles.

When I spoke to Emma, she hadn’t yet been named the very first Miss America from Alaska. However, she had just won a preliminary award for her interview skills and social impact initiative (she advocates on behalf of Special Olympics). And when I congratulated Emma on her award, I reminded her she had a significant shot at winning. That even though Miss Alaska had only made the Top 10 one other time in the 100-year history of the competition, she certainly was “in consideration” for the crown. Emma heard me the first time, but the second time I said it, she looked hard into my eyes as if she might believe me. I’m glad she did.

In the end, I believe that’s what I love most about Miss America. While the sparkling rhinestones and fabulous gowns are feminine and fun, it’s the opportunity to encourage young women to become the best versions of themselves while pursuing something greater than themselves.

I believe Emma won because she has an enormous amount of candor and poise wrapped into one. It’s a rare combination for a 20-year-old woman that I believe will serve the organization well as it moves into a new century.

So regardless of where Miss America is held and who wins the crown, as long as there are little girls captured by the ideals of the program, pageant junkies like me will continue to remind them of what’s possible.

Especially when nobody’s done it before.

— Carrie Cox, account executive