The summer when I was 17-years-old I traveled to Caldwell, Idaho to participate in the Miss Teen of Idaho Scholarship & Recognition Program. Yes, you heard right, Miss Teen of Idaho! I had absolutely no idea what I was doing. I just thought it would be fun and a good experience for me. I had so much fun during the entire thing and left with the Personal Developement Award and so much more than I realized at the time. Was it a little stressful? Absolutely! Was the interview a little nerve-racking? Duh! We learned the opening choreography number in a few hours...wow, crazy! Would I do it again or recommend it to any other girl? No doubt!
When I was 17-years-old I wasn't the "class president" confident type, yet, I wasn't hiding in a corner at all times. I was just me. One thing I took home from the experience was just the simple idea of knowing myself. Coming out of that interview and thinking to myself, "Huh, that was kinda hard, but I can handle my own in front of judges." Or after introducing myself in front of a couple thousand people, "That was kind of a rush."
I don't remember my roommate when I actually competed for Miss Teen of Idaho but a few years later I was asked to come back and assist with the program, supervising the girls, helping the winner from the previous year teach the choreography, even help decide the winners. So when I came back to be a supervisor, this was probably back in 2008 or so, normally I would have had a room to myself but one girl backed out of coming so they asked me to room with one of the contestants.
I honestly don't even remember her name but I will never forget her face or her personality. She was probably one of the most shy, quiet, never stand out in the crowd type of girls I've ever met. Super nice and very conscious of anything else someone might need. Definitely not a girl you would have pictured to compete in the Miss Teen of Idaho Program, that's for sure. I don't really even remember hearing her speak the entire 3 days we were there. That's how shy and soft spoken she was. She's from Salmon, Idaho and if I remember right her mom wasn't around her entire childhood so she had practically been brought up by her father only. She introduced me to her dad after the program was over that night and I couldn't help but smile at how cute their relationship was. You could just tell they weren't just father and daughter. That they were truly best friends. The level of protection for his little girl just radiated off of them both. I thought it was the cutest thing ever. He was so proud of her it made me smile even more.
Well after she graduated from high school she actually started college at BYU-Idaho. My last couple semesters I'd see her on campus every once in awhile and couldn't help but have Miss Teen of Idaho flashbacks. The very first time I saw her I probably stared too much but I just couldn't believe how much she'd changed. She looked like a completely different person! So much more confident than the shy little girl I'd met years before. It was amazing!
I actually saw this same girl at the grocery store a couple days ago and I've been thinking about her ever since (hense why I'm posting about this). I truly think the Miss Teen of Idaho program was the starting point for her. I think it gave her a boost and started her to be able to see who she is and who she can become. I have no idea if she's recognized me any of the times we've seen each other at the various places. Maybe one day when I see her randomly I'll go up to her and ask her how she's doing? I just love every time I see her. I love seeing how much she's changed and really grown into herself. I really think it is truly a beautiful thing. Being able to develope and grow into a woman with confidence. A woman who really knows who she is, knows she is of value, knows that she can go anywhere she wishes in life, and simply shows the world how much she loves being alive.
I never would have thought 4 years ago I would run into the same shy, unsure little girl I met at Miss Teen of Idaho. Now, completely different and at BYU-Idaho of all places. It makes me more grateful for programs like that. I feel it truly changed this girls life. Who knows, maybe I'll keep running into her for awhile and be able to see her grow into the woman Heavenly Father hopes for her to become?
I don't remember my roommate when I actually competed for Miss Teen of Idaho but a few years later I was asked to come back and assist with the program, supervising the girls, helping the winner from the previous year teach the choreography, even help decide the winners. So when I came back to be a supervisor, this was probably back in 2008 or so, normally I would have had a room to myself but one girl backed out of coming so they asked me to room with one of the contestants.
I honestly don't even remember her name but I will never forget her face or her personality. She was probably one of the most shy, quiet, never stand out in the crowd type of girls I've ever met. Super nice and very conscious of anything else someone might need. Definitely not a girl you would have pictured to compete in the Miss Teen of Idaho Program, that's for sure. I don't really even remember hearing her speak the entire 3 days we were there. That's how shy and soft spoken she was. She's from Salmon, Idaho and if I remember right her mom wasn't around her entire childhood so she had practically been brought up by her father only. She introduced me to her dad after the program was over that night and I couldn't help but smile at how cute their relationship was. You could just tell they weren't just father and daughter. That they were truly best friends. The level of protection for his little girl just radiated off of them both. I thought it was the cutest thing ever. He was so proud of her it made me smile even more.
Well after she graduated from high school she actually started college at BYU-Idaho. My last couple semesters I'd see her on campus every once in awhile and couldn't help but have Miss Teen of Idaho flashbacks. The very first time I saw her I probably stared too much but I just couldn't believe how much she'd changed. She looked like a completely different person! So much more confident than the shy little girl I'd met years before. It was amazing!
I actually saw this same girl at the grocery store a couple days ago and I've been thinking about her ever since (hense why I'm posting about this). I truly think the Miss Teen of Idaho program was the starting point for her. I think it gave her a boost and started her to be able to see who she is and who she can become. I have no idea if she's recognized me any of the times we've seen each other at the various places. Maybe one day when I see her randomly I'll go up to her and ask her how she's doing? I just love every time I see her. I love seeing how much she's changed and really grown into herself. I really think it is truly a beautiful thing. Being able to develope and grow into a woman with confidence. A woman who really knows who she is, knows she is of value, knows that she can go anywhere she wishes in life, and simply shows the world how much she loves being alive.
I never would have thought 4 years ago I would run into the same shy, unsure little girl I met at Miss Teen of Idaho. Now, completely different and at BYU-Idaho of all places. It makes me more grateful for programs like that. I feel it truly changed this girls life. Who knows, maybe I'll keep running into her for awhile and be able to see her grow into the woman Heavenly Father hopes for her to become?
No comments:
Post a Comment