Freshman contestants Reese Y., Pete D. speak on first Miss Aquila experience

On January 29, 2018 in the Airport High School auditorium, Reese Y. and Pete D. competed and placed in their first Miss Aquila pageant.

Reese was crowned Miss Freshman and Pete won First Runner Up to Miss Freshman. The two young ladies spoke highly of their experience with Miss Aquila.

Reese and Pete prepared and practiced for the pageant. Reese practiced walking in her heels, presenting her theme wear, and also the speaking portion of her theme wear. Pete prepared for the pageant by rehearsing her walk and theme wear so she would feel comfortable on stage.

On the day of Miss Aquila, the girls had an overall amazing day. The girls didn’t seem to be very nervous, which is unusual since this was their first year competing in Miss Aquila. Reese stated, “I had a lot of fun… I also had a great time laughing and encouraging all of the beautiful ladies around me.” Along with Reese, Pete also said her day went incredible. Pete said, “My interview went very well and so did the on stage portion.” The girls felt that the backstage staff was very helpful and made sure they felt their very best before going on stage.

When asked if they each felt confident on stage in their dress, Reese Yarborough said, “I felt confident in my dress because it was perfect for my personality. It wasn’t too full and had just the right amount of bling to it.” Pete stated, “I felt very confident in my dress choice because it was different and I had always wanted a lavender dress.” Confidence is a huge part in performing well in Miss Aquila.

First runner up, Pete Davis, said she is planning on doing the pageant next year and she hopes the theme is Winter Wonderland.

Both of the girls spoke about how nervous they were for their first Miss Aquila. Although Pete has many years of pageant experience, she was still very nervous prior to the pageant. Reese was most nervous about her talking portion of her theme wear. She stated, “Remembering what you had to say, what you had to do, and having hundreds of people staring back at you was nerve racking.” Along with Reese, Pete was also nervous about the speaking part of theme wear. She said she had, “Never done anything like it.”

The theme of this years pageant was Once Upon a Time. The girls mostly took this theme and went along the lines of a Disney princess or character, but some viewed it differently. The pageant also had an opening number; the girls had practice the week prior and they learned the choreography for the song “Be Our Guest” from Beauty and the Beast.

Years ago the pageant had many more contestants; the girls had to be voted in to be able to participate in Miss Aquila.

To view pictures of Miss Aquila, check on the student news' Instagram page @Eye_on_the_Eagle.