In a few seconds, a spotlight falls and then another, one by one, upon all those on the stage. The colorful lights are then set ablaze, illuminating the entire stage.[break]
A group of young girls, all in their late teens or early twenties, stands in line as they wait for the panel of judges comfortably seated in front of them.
They will be judged on their hair, smile, and their ability to make friends, and on whether they are photogenic.
While they stand on the stage shivering with nervousness, their minds are filled with all sorts of thoughts – from how to enounce that clap-drawing answer to what if my wig falls off?
Shruti Pandey
At the end of the ceremony, which in most cases lasts from three to four hours, a winner is chosen. Only one gets to wear that glittering tiara, that crown which will give her not only memories but also a status to last a lifetime.
So what happens to the rest of them –the others who shared the same dreams, who stood up as contestants?
And as the time arrives for a whole new season of beauty contests, there will be a few more heads donning the shining glory and many more hearts that will feel discarded.
We talk to three beauty pageant contestants and ask them to share what it feels like to go home without the tiara.
Shruti Pandey, Contestant # 9, Miss Nepal 2011
It’s not a life-changing experience. I think that making that statement would be a bit of an exaggeration. Things do change, however, but it’s all within you. Talking from personal examples, you learn a lot in terms of personality development. It endows you with communication skills.
I was once this demure girl next door, and after the training, I’ve become very expressive. For me, this means a lot.
Being able to say what I want to and in the way I want to is definitely an achievement. When the final winners are announced, you definitely wish the next name to be yours and for many of us it doesn’t happen.
But hey, so what? The crown isn’t everything. You think of your friends and family back home and how nothing there has changed and suddenly you don’t feel bad.
When I stood on the stage and watched other girls being crowned, I never questioned myself on not winning because, truly, I wasn’t there to win. I had fun, and at the end of the evening I was happy to have at least participated.
Today I live a normal life, but with added poise and confidence, and I strongly encourage other girls to participate. Truly, the few days at the camp is worth a try.
Prashmita Sharma
Prashmita Sharma, Contestant # 1, Miss Nepal 2011
I was disheartened, and honestly speaking, it took me a whole week to get over it. Now, however, I look back and I smile.
The whole ride from filling in the forms to the classes, what happens in the camp is something worth experiencing. You learn about so many people and you learn it from so many people.
Every moment you spend there is exciting and there’s something happening, always! Like everyone else, before actually entering the contest, all I saw were these beautiful, sophisticated women who knew exactly what to do and when to do it.
But now having been a part of it, I can claim that it’s a totally different world in there. It’s nothing as billowed as it seems, instead it’s a big party.
If I were to mention the most fruitful part of the whole Miss Nepal adventure, I would say the confidence it instilled in me.
I’ve taken up several emceeing assignments and participated in other contests and won.
To anybody who wishes to participate in the upcoming pageant, I would say, Go for it. And although the stage on the final day is sure to give you the heebie-jeebies, it’s definitely worth a try.
Samriddhi Bista, Contestant # 13, Miss Teen Nepal 2011
It took a couple of days to overcome the fact that I didn’t win. I’m trying to look at the brighter side. Remembering the finale still gives me the ‘chill.’
It’s scary out there, the final day, that moment when the announcements are being made.
Samriddhi Bista
I was standing there, and one after the other, names of the finalists were being called out. I prayed with crossed fingers, hoping the other name would be mine. But alas, all in vain.
I was extremely disheartened and even today I haven’t quite managed to get over it.
It doesn’t feel as hurtful now for as they say, time is the biggest healer. The good part of the whole experience is that you learn a lot.
If not for the pageant, I would never have had my picture published in the papers! On a more serious note, participation is something I encourage.
So what if you don’t win the first time? There’s always a second chance.
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