Beauty Pageants: About More Than Just Looks

Glamour. Allurement. Sparkle. These are just a few of the hundreds of words that can be used to describe a ravishing female-figure on the dais, competing for her chance to be crowned. But what is it exactly that draws girls from all around the globe to compete in this battle royale?

Perhaps it’s the excitement they feel while walking the stage in their exquisite evening gowns. Or the confidence they gain when speaking in front of the judges. Whatever it is, there has to be a reason for why beauty pageants are sprouting up everywhere we look… right?

From infants barely old enough to walk, to Miss Universe contestants, such as the ones that competed for this year's title of Miss America on January 30th, 2010, the variety of beauty pageant contestants is colossal.

But is there a point to these pageants? Does it make sense to spend countless hours choosing outfits, applying make-up, doing your hair and then being judged on it? Some might say the whole concept sounds crazy and that it creates superficiality among girls. And I tend to agree to some extent. These ladies do put most of their time and energy into their looks, but that’s not to say that they don’t think about anything else.

Beauty pageants have evolved immensely throughout the years. They started out as being contests focused more on the looks but throughout the decades, these “pretty-girl contests” have converted into something bigger and with more depth.

They started adding different stages to the pageants, including talent shows and interviews; divisions that showcase a girl’s ingenuity and intelligence. But if talent and brains are so important,should it not outweigh the beauty category? I mean, let’s face it. No matter how smart and talented this girl may be, chances are, she won’t win if she doesn’t possess the physical appearance to match.

So why go through all this trouble just to be judged on appearance? As far as I know, the ladies that participate in these pageants gain a lot more than a fancy sash. Their self-esteem and ability to be in front of crowds are surely bumped up a notch, which are great reasons to participate. And as for the girls who have their head in the game and are really in it to win it, many of them have quite a lot to offer. Just look at Miss California and 2010 Miss America runner up, Kristy Cavinder. Not only is she a phenomenal ballet dancer, but she also earned three scholastic honors and is training for a Doctorate degree in Medicine. Not to mention, Miss Virginia Caressa Cameron, who won this year's Miss America Pageant, is a journalism major.

Beauty doesn’t live on the surface, but rather deep inside of someone, and goes far beyond skin and bones. And while your typical beauty pageant may not spotlight inner beauty, there is opportunity for the candidates to gain and demonstrate qualities that lie under their winsome exterior.

Poise, grace, elegance and above all, confidence and self-assurance are some of the skills gained from these glitzy contests – with the contestants showing the rest of us that beauty and brains can coexist.