Watch: Miss Madison Contestants Prepare for the Stage
REXBURG — 12 contestants are gearing up to grace the state at the Miss Madison pageant in Rexburg on Saturday.
Misty Kesler, founder and co-director of the pageant has been working with the girls the last few months to prepare for the big night.
“I think the coolest thing is just putting yourself in an uncomfortable situation makes you a better person, and every time we put ourselves in an uncomfortable situation we become a better version of ourselves… an even better human as you continue to do it throughout your life,” Kesler says.
The high school pageant showcases Madison High School girls who fall within the grades of Sophomore to Senior. Kesler says she started the pageant 6 years ago after working on the Distinguished Young Woman program 10 years prior.
“When I was done with DYW I decided that Madison needed a high school pageant and it just gives more girls opportunity to get scholarship money, and maybe some different girls to win the opportunity to get a scholarship,” Kesler says.
Ava Sampson is a Madison High senior competing for the first time. She’ll be doing a dance number for her talent.
“I decided to do this pageant to really challenge myself and try to put myself out of my comfort zone. I wanted to grow in different areas like interview and self-expression— and I thought that it would help me in my future life and also with my personal dance journey because I’m on a competition dance team,” Sampson says.
So far Sampson has learned to have more confidence when she’s speaking to people and increased self-discipline while attending 6 a.m. practices.
“It’s been hard to get up at 6 in the morning but I’ve actually liked it because it’s taught me a really good skill to learn and self-motivation to get up and going,” Sampson says.
Audrey Sutton, the current Miss Madison has been working with the contestants during morning practice. At the pageant, she’ll be crowning the next Miss Madison, and passing her title down.
“I absolutely love the group this year. There’s so much potential, and they have been working so hard, and I can’t wait for everyone to see them,” Sutton says
The Miss Madison pageant will be held at the Madison High School Performing Arts Center at 7 p.m. You can get tickets at the door for $15, doors open at 6:30 p.m.