NICOLE TAYLOR / Scroll
Ashlie Schwendiman and Katherine Crouch pose after being crowned in the Miss Rexburg Scholarship Pageant.

Beauty pageants help women discover talents

Kathryn Ririe WIL03058@BYUI.EDU Scroll Staff

Some people still see pageants as something their moms forced them to do when they were little — dress up, look cute and have a permanent smile for hours. But for those BYU-Idaho students who have participated in pageants, it has been an experience their lives wouldn’t be the same without.

Two pageants are held in the Rexburg area that BYU-I students can participate in. The Miss Rexburg Scholarship Pageant, sponsored by the city of Rexburg, and the Miss BYU-I Pageant, sponsored by BYU-I’s Women’s Events Council.

Both of these pageants provide an opportunity for young ladies to demonstrate their achievements and skills in hopes of receiving a title and possibly a scholarship.

The Miss Rexburg Scholarship Pageant took place on March 18 at the Rexburg Tabernacle where Katherine Crouch, a freshman from Rexburg, came away with the title Miss Rexburg 2006 and Ashlie Schwendiman, a senior from Newdale, Idaho, received the title of Miss Upper Valley 2006. Both young women will compete at Miss Idaho on June 9 and 10.

The Miss BYU-I Pageant is held during Spirit Week. Though Miss BYU-I does not compete in the Miss Idaho competition, she represents the school at various events throughout Spirit Week and the rest of the year, according to www.byui.edu/womenstudents.

Many think pageants are solely based on looks — whoever is the prettiest and smiles the most at the judges will be crowned. Though the participants are judged on poise, other areas such as the interview and talent are more heavily weighted.

“They have a private interview where they’re judged on their intelligence as well as their ability to speak and communicate with people,” said Trina Rydalch, director of the Miss Rexburg Scholarship Program. “Each contestant also has a platform issue they are encouraged to work on in the community. It’s so much more than just looks.”

Those students who participate also realize the benefits.

“Pageants give all those that participate a sense of self-worth. And because of the various categories you have to perform in, it expands you more and makes you a better woman,” Crouch said.

Others have discovered that they are able to learn how to conquer fears through pageants.

“In my first pageant I was scared to be on stage, scared to speak in front of people and scared of my interview. But now from doing all these pageants, it has molded me into who I am today,” Schwendiman said.

Though some individuals may still be scarred from their pageant experiences as a little girl, those who have continued in the pageant world have learned invaluable lessons that have changed their lives.

“I never thought I would be in pageants, to tell you the truth, but now I am hooked,” Schwendiman said.