The Miss United States Earth pageant was the most profound pageant experience I have ever had. In short, the pageant broke boundaries and stereotypes. The "Pageant Patty" didn't exist. Every girl was encouraged to be herself. The words "cliche" and "fake" were replaced with "real" and "natural". I have never been more comfortable or had more fun at a pageant! The Miss United States Earth pageant was an amazing experience! I am so honored to have represented Kansas!
Day 1After hours of travel I arrived at the Tropicana Express Hotel and Casino in Laughlin, Nevada. I immediately checked in to my hotel and met my roomie Miss Teen Central Montana. Our first event was Orientation and then Dinner with 50 smart and gorgeous ladies!
Day 2After waking up early (4:30am) I got ready for the day. First, it was official group photos at the pool. Then, we went across state lines to Arizona to Mohave High School where we had a tree planting ceremony. Then, we rehearsed....a lot! During rehearsal we took our official pageant head shots with pageant photographer Andres Gonzalez. For dinner, we got in our cocktail dresses and went to a "judges meet and greet" where they told us that the judges were late because of flights. They said to let loose and have fun. It was a great night.
Day 3Our first event of the day was our "Glamorously Green" Colorado River Cleanup. My team picked up a full bag of trash! Then, US Earth Pageants had an environmental rally. We called and asked General Mills to stop using SinarMas palm oil. (the excessive clearing of palm fields releases CO2 into the atmosphere, it is a greenhouse gas that can accelerate the the greenhouse effect contributing to global warming). Apparently General Mills got the hint :) After a few more rehearsals it was time to get ready for preliminaries! We strutted our stuff in swimsuit and evening gown and some competed with talent.
Day 4Our final day of the pageant started off with interviews. It turned out that the judges had been around the whole time incongito! I had already talked to almost all of them, though there were a few new arrivals. Our pre-interview was my favorite part of the pageant. We all went in groups into the interview room all wearing the same thing and NO MAKE-UP. We were judged on our confidence in our own skin! It was so refreshing. Then, we were individually interviewed about ourselves and our environmental awareness. I got to talk about climate change and my platform "Be Aware, It's in the Air", so I was extremely happy :) But we had a surprise...we had ten minutes to look through recycled clothing set out in piles for an opening number outfit! It was a scramble, but I found a something that suited my style quite well. Then it was time for the big event!
4 crowns are awarded. Miss US Earth, Air, Water, and Fire. Earth being the top title, the three remaining elements are the runner ups.
After recompeting in swimsuit and evening gown, I was named in the top 10! We then had to answer an onstage question and judges made their decision....
I had the honor of receiving the award of Miss Photogenic and I was named Miss United States Air 2010!!!
I am so honored to have been in the presence of these amazingly smart and beautiful women that have talent and a passion for the environment! I came away from this pageant experience with a new confidence in my cause and a bunch of new friends! :) The pageant was a challenge physically (with the late nights and 4:30am mornings and don't forget the oppressive heat) and mentally (changes in schedule and reality show-like surprises), but it reinforced the concept that a pageant queen has to always think on her feet! Overall, this pageant was the best pageant experience I have ever had and I would not hesitate to be apart of the US Earth pageant system again! Thank you to everyone who believed in me and helped me make my dream a reality.
Love,
Cat Taylor
Miss United States Air 2010
