During International Junior Miss’s 2020 Washington/Oregon/Pacific Northwest state pageant, held at the Seaside Civic and Convention Center on Feb. 15 and 16, a group of girls and women competed for titles while simultaneously strengthening bonds and promoting positive self-achievement.

“Pageants really encourage girls to trust their ability to take risks,” said Jennifer Law, whose 9-year-old daughter Lauren won the title of Washington Princess in 2019. “Even when it doesn’t pay off, they recognize they took a big risk and that was really hard. … It gives them a self-confidence they didn’t know they had because they really have to trust themselves.”

The pageant, which took place in Seaside for the first time this year, includes six distinct divisions for each state based on age: Jr. Princess, for competitors — or delegates — ages 4 to 6; Princess, for 7- to 9-year-olds; Pre-Teen, for 10- to 12-year-olds; Jr. Teen, for 13- to 15-year-olds; Teen, for 16- to 18-year-olds; Miss, for 19- to 24-year-olds; and Ms., for 25- to 45-year-olds. For the Pacific Northwest region, there is also the Petite Princess category for delegates who are 0 to 3 years old.

Awards are given for academic achievement, volunteer service and spirit of participation. Mandatory competitions include interview, fashion, and gown. Contestants can win additional scholarships in talent, media correspondent, photo shoot, public speaking and other optional categories.

A growing family

Winners from the state pageant will advance to International Finals, to be held in July in Woodland, Texas. The location of internationals changes each year. Lauren will be heading to her fifth International competition this summer, Law said, and in the past they’ve gone to Virginia Beach, Nashville, and Orlando for the competition.

“It is like a seven-day long experience filled with events and parties and outings and rehearsals and coaching and prepping and practice and eating,” she said.

Michelle Satrum, whose 8-year-old daughter Rebekah won 2019 Oregon Princess, added, “it’s a huge learning experience,” but contestants and parents get to know and rely on each other throughout the week.

In general, one of her favorite parts of pageantry is the family environment and the sense of camaraderie fostered among the contestants. Between rehearsals, hanging out backstage, and sharing the spotlight, they grow close, Law agreed, adding the other girls have become like Lauren’s “best friends” over the years.

Participants develop important life skills, such as public speaking and communication, through events like interview and spokesmodel. Spokesmodel is an optional category where delegates must deliver a memorized speech no longer than 60 seconds. Lauren won the category for her division when she was 7. Since then, Law said, she’s seen her daughter give multiple speeches and make presentations at school.

“She is not afraid and she gets excited to be in front of people,” Law said. “The biggest takeaway in pageants themselves — if they’re done right — is that you can have as much fun losing as you do winning.”

The events also provide an outlet for delegates to experiment with self-expression and exercise independence. Stratum lets her daughter pick out what outfits to wear and which categories she wants to compete in, because Rebekah’s confidence is paramount and it is derived from that autonomy.

Law encourages Lauren to appreciate not only her hard work, but that of the other delegates, as well, and to recognize that “there is but one winner.” Even if a person doesn’t win, they can still enjoy the experience and be excited and happy for others.

After all, Law added, “You have to be able to lose well to win well.”