Reneau Rigby-Uptagrafft
English Composition 1
Mr. Williams
25th May 2023
Cybertech Career College
Midterm Examination
English
It all started when I was in Junior high, and I saw the seniors competing for the Miss
Hawksbill High Senior crown. They looked so glamorous and confident on stage, and I admired
them so much. I thought to myself, "One day, I want to be like them." But I was too shy and
insecure to even think about joining the pageant. I had low self-esteem, and I didn't think I was
pretty enough or talented enough to stand out. That is, until my senior year of high school.
One day, I saw a poster on the bulletin board announcing that our school was once again
hosting the Miss Hawksbill High beauty pageant. The winner will receive a round-trip ticket and
all expenses paid to West Palm Beach along with many other prizes. I felt a surge of excitement
and curiosity. Could I, do it? Could I be a beauty pageant winner? I decided to sign up and try it.
I had nothing to lose and everything to gain. The next few weeks were a whirlwind of
preparations. The pageant was divided into three segments: casual wear, talent show, and
evening gown. We spent hours rehearsing and perfecting every detail with Mr. Forbes our music
Teacher and Pageant Coordinator. He taught us the proper way to walk in High Heels, and how
to work the stage, our smile, our posture, and interview skills.
The day of the pageant finally arrived. I woke up early and got ready with the help of my
mom and my cousin Diane. They helped me with my hair, makeup, and accessories. They also
gave me words of encouragement and support. They told me how proud they were of me and
how much they believed in me. I arrived at the Camelot Room at the Princess Towers Resort
where the pageant was held. I met the other contestants and wished them good luck. They were
all beautiful and talented, but I did not let that intimidate me. I knew I had worked hard and
prepared well. I knew I had something unique to offer.
The pageant started with an opening number where we all danced and introduced
ourselves to the audience. We wore matching outfits that reflected our school colors and spirit.
We smiled and waved as we said our names, our hobbies, and our aspirations. Next was the
talent portion where we displayed our skills and creativity. I went with a tune that was really
well-known back then for my performance. The title is "Superwoman" by Karen White, and the
amazing Ms. Palm Woods accompanied me on the grand piano. It was a song about embracing
who you are and not letting anyone bring you down. I sang with passion and emotion, soon the
audience was cheering and singing along with me. The last segment was the evening gown and
interview round where we wore our most elegant dresses and answered questions on stage. I
wore a stunning gown from the 17 Shop, as they were my sponsor for the pageant. This was the
most nerve-wracking part for me, but I tried to stay calm and confident. I smiled and looked into
the eyes of the judges as they asked me about my goals, my values, and my opinions on several
topics. I answered honestly and sincerely, trying to show them who I really was.
After all the contestants had finished their interviews, we waited backstage for the final
results. The tension was palpable as we held hands and prayed silently. The host came back on
stage and announced the names of the runners-up one by one. As each name was called, I felt a
mix of relief and anxiety. Would my name be next? Or would it be the last one? Finally, the host
said: "And the winner of Miss Hawksbill senior high school 1989 beauty pageant is... contestant
number 10!" I gasped as I realized that was me. That was my number. That was my name. I
walked on stage in disbelief as the crowd cheered and applauded. The host handed me a bouquet
of flowers, then outgoing queen, Sabrina Richardson placed the crown on my head along with a
sash that said, "Miss Hawksbill High". Winning the Miss Hawksbill High beauty pageant was
one of the best moments of my life at high school. It taught me a lot about myself and what I can
achieve if I put my mind to it.
