New Year, New You?

I just came home from a luncheon hosted by my state pageant director for prospective contestants interested in this year's Mrs. Alaska-America pageant. There was a good turnout and I'm impressed at the diverse group of ladies my director always seems to attract to the pageant.

I'm a bit melancholy that I only have 5 months left as the reigning Mrs. Alaska-America (there's still so much I want to do!), but I'm equally excited to pass the torch on to the next lady, whomever she may be.

The most prevalent reasons I've heard for entering this pageant have been to "give me some 'me' time", "to get back in touch with my glamourous side", "to do something I've never done before" and "to make me a better person." Whatever the reasons for entering, this pageant does change a person. It's different for every participant and some more profound than others.

I applaud the brave and confident ladies who have decided to enter this year's pageant and embark on a personal journey of self-improvement and development. This could be the year you find a whole new you.