I think what people have asked me about the pageant the most is the crowning moment. What'd it feel like? Did I expect it, etc?
The feeling: indescribable. I'll just start from the beginning:
I had worked really hard to get to that point. I got a scholarship from Wright Productions. ($500 worth) and had to raise the rest of the money through sponsorships. I needed around $600, at least. Luckily, Broqsten (my boyfriend) has pageant oriented family. They were my sponsors. His grandparents, parents, and my grandparents. I can't thank them enough. So once I got the sponsorships I just went for it; despite the hardships my parents gave me. About a week before the pageant my Michigan parents told me they bought a hotel room. (I was staying with Brock's family.)I was happy they decided to support me. It is hard to do things without your parents' approval & support.(My Indiana parents came too.)
I was excited on pageant day..we got there on Friday for rehearsels and such, Saturday was the show and crowning. Brock and I got there super early..which kinda made me feel uncomfortable, to be honest. So we grabbed lunch and came back. Then I was on my own. Me and the eleven other girls. I knew 2 of them from the Miss Michigan Teen USA pageant I had done a few months prior. One girl was my roommate, the other my close friend I had kept in touch with afterwards. I loved all the girls there. I hate the stupid stigma of pageants. The one about pageant girls being rich, stuck-up, and full of themselves. It's not true. I'm sure there are some, but I haven't found them, yet.
Rehearsals were pretty tiring..a LOT of walking in heels. But Sandy our choreo. was super nice and let us take them off. lol. I loved the opening number dance. (All The Single Ladies by Beyonce!) Even though on Saturday when we actually performed it, I messed up so so so bad! ha. I was incredibly nervous!!! They even got a picture of us all, and guess who is completely off?
yea, me.
The pageant went so fast. I was the second girl in the line-up. So it was constantly go, go, go! Bathing suit was over, the before I know it, so was evening gown...then they called top 8.
Talk about a nerve wrecking moment..I think I was called 5th.Then Christine broke the ice with a mini-interview with the top 8. My question was, "what's your favorite part about the competition?"
Easy. Interview. I love talking to people, plus it gives them a chance to see the me on the inside, not just the girl gliding across the floor in an evening gown.
Then top 5 were called. (I think this is where my heart stopped.)
I was ECSTATIC to be in the top 5!!! But the competition was tough. ALL of these girls were beautiful. We were all equal.
My top 5 Q: What inspires you?
I remember talking about my Grandma Bloom. She has always inspired me...but what I said, I don't remember! I just remember my mouth moving and words coming out..(Curse you, nerves!!!)
after the last girl had gone, we were dismissed while the judges collaborated points. Us top 5 girls were chatting our heads off, complimenting each other and expressing our nerves! We all understood each other. When we were called back on, it was the moment we had been awaiting since Friday..Before I knew it, the girls around me were being placed, and only me and Pantea remained.
I could barely breathe!!! She was fantastic and well-rounded. Cute, and personable. I didn't know what to expect. I could only hope. We stood close together, holding hands. We were laughing at how bad we were shaking...Christine reminded us the winner gets $13,000 worth of prizes, etc. and when she was ready to announce the winner, she cut in to remind us the 1st runners-up had the duty of taking over if the winner couldn't fulfill her duties.
(I HATED that part!)
and before I knew it, I was hearing: "And your very FIRST Miss Teen Michigan-World is.............
....
...
MISS CONSTANTINE SHELBY KNAFEL!!!
I remember hearing my step- mom cry, "OH MY GOSH, SHE WONNNN!!!"
haha. she cracks me up. My head was swimming. Winner. Me. Alexis came over with the sash, crown, and later flowers.. After everything, after my parents said they couldn't afford it, after I had pushed myself, after I had taken a flying leap, I had won.
Oh, then the streamers popped and scared the crap out of ALL of us..hahah. And the crown wasn't being nice, it kept slipping off!
Never will I feel a feeling like this. and never did I hug my mom so confidently. I didn't have to say it. It didn't need to be said, but for the sake of it I wanted to say, "Yes, I CAN do anything."
That's what I learned the most through this state title. Try. Never let anyone tell you what is or isn't possible because of money.
-Shelby
Shelby
