High Step In Life

In my third year of college I finally decided to try out for the Miss Native NMSU Pageant. Throughout the week I had to attend a lot of events and I had to miss some of my classes. Luckily it did not get in a way of me doing my homework because I was already 2 weeks ahead of my class work in each class. On Monday I had to meet & greet everyone on campus and had to attend an open pray, then that night I had to ask some questions that the people or students had on campus so they can get to know me better as a contestant. On Tuesday I have to attend a American Indian Traditional Dance, Wednesday I then had to attend a comedy night with Jamies and Erine (Native American Comedian) and I also spent 5 hours serving Indian Tacos out to the students and the best part was that it was free, so I had to do a lot of work. Then on Thursday was a DJ dance. Finally on Friday it was the big day of the pageant I had to compete against two other beautiful young ladies, which I became close friends with. That Friday night was nerve wreaking, I was nervous and excited but over all I enjoyed every moment. On Friday night we had to answer 2 questions (one being why I want to be Miss Native NMSU, and the second was how will it be benefited in my school and experience), then it was our traditional talents, next was another question (randomly asked), then the crowning of the new Miss Native NMSU.
             

For my traditional talent I did something every unique, it was very unique that throughout the final school year everyone kept asking me questions and asked where I learned it from. But my traditional talent was about the hand, and what it represents in the Native American Culture along with other fun facts that relate to my topic. By the end of the pageant it was time to see who won the title but unfortunately I did not win. Overall I got what I really wanted from the pageant and that was being able to gain my confidence in myself to speak in front of others, making new friends, learning other cultures, being friendly to newer people, being able not to be shy, and the most important thing was being able to be proud of where I come from and what tribe I am. Also I was able to make my family proud and brought joy to my mom that I can still have courage, and my sister believing in me and supporting me, and my dad well he was happy that I got to wear my traditional outfit for a whole week in class and he was also proud of me that I still know my culture.