Sashes and Safety

When people think of pageantry, they often picture crowns, gowns, and spotlights. What is less visible, but far more important, is the character that carries a queen long after the stage lights dim. One of the most essential qualities in this industry is humility.

Pageants push you to put your best foot forward. You spend hours preparing for interviews, rehearsing your walk, and choosing the right wardrobe. It is easy to get caught up in the competition, but humility keeps you grounded. It reminds you that a crown does not make you more valuable than anyone else. It is a symbol of opportunity, not superiority.

I have seen firsthand how humility changes the atmosphere of a pageant. A humble contestant cheers for others even when she wants the win for herself. She offers a hand backstage, she shares a kind word, and she remembers that the women beside her are not just competitors, they are sisters on the same journey. That kind of attitude is what leaves a lasting impression, long after the judges’ scores are tallied.

As a director, I know I have done my job when I see humility come to life on stage. One of my favorite moments is right after a crown is placed on a contestant’s head. The joy I notice most is not from the audience but from the other contestants. Time and time again, I have seen them surround the new titleholder in a celebratory hug, cheering louder than anyone else in the room. That kind of genuine happiness for someone else’s success is humility in action, and it is one of the most beautiful parts of this industry.

Now that I am back in the contestant role myself, I remind myself daily to practice humility. It means listening more than speaking, accepting feedback with gratitude, and understanding that every experience has something to teach me. It means realizing that even when you are the one wearing the crown, you still have more to learn and more ways to grow.

Humility does not take away from your confidence. In fact, it strengthens it. True confidence is not about thinking you are better than anyone else. It is about knowing your worth and still valuing the worth of others. That is the balance that creates not only a strong contestant but also a queen who uses her platform with integrity.

In pageantry, humility is the quiet crown that matters most. It shapes how you treat others, how you carry yourself, and how you lead. Long after the sashes are hung up and the gowns are packed away, humility is what will define the legacy you leave behind.