Sashes and Safety

When I first became a pageant director, I thought my main job would be organizing rehearsals, writing scripts, and making sure the night of the pageant went off without a hitch. What I did not expect was how deeply I would fall in love with the role and the people who come with it. Directing turned out to be less about logistics and more about moments.

One of my favorite parts is watching confidence grow. I have seen girls walk into rehearsals with their eyes down, doubting themselves, and wondering if they even belong. Then, weeks later, I get to watch them take the stage taller, prouder, and completely transformed. That shift is priceless. I think that is one of the best kept secrets of pageantry, the way it quietly builds confidence long before anyone hears their name announced.

I also treasure the friendships I see form. From the outside, pageantry is sometimes painted as cutthroat competition, but backstage I often see something very different. I see girls fixing each other’s hair, lending a pair of earrings, or whispering “you have got this” right before someone walks out to face the judges. Those bonds mean more than any crown ever could.

Then there is the heart of service. As a director, I get to connect my contestants to causes that matter, and I watch them step into service projects with enthusiasm and compassion. I have seen contestants hand out toys during the holidays, raise money for charities, and find platforms that speak to their own personal stories. Seeing them realize that their voice and sash can be used to make an impact is one of the most rewarding parts of my job.

Directing also makes me a mentor, which is something I hold close to my heart. Sometimes it is helping a contestant polish her interview answers. Other times it is sitting with her through nerves and reminding her that she is enough just as she is. It is in those quiet conversations, before the lights and the crowns, where the real growth happens.

The truth is, the joy of being a director is not found in the spotlight. It is in the behind the scenes moments. It is the nervous laughter before opening number. It is the tears of pride when a contestant realizes she has accomplished more than she thought she could. It is in the hugs at the end of the night and the whispered thank yous that mean more than any trophy.

For me, directing has never just been about putting on a pageant. It has been about creating a space where young women feel seen, valued, and celebrated. And at the end of the day, that is what keeps me coming back year after year.