By Karrington True
90 lessons learned from the Miss America Opportunity in honor of Miss Kentucky’s 90th Anniversary
If we are meeting for the first time – Hi! I’m Karrington True, your favorite Kentuckian and Miss Monticello 2025. If my name sounds familiar, it might be because you’ve seen me around Section 36 before or maybe you’ve seen me running around talking about first responders or whatever book I’m currently obsessed with. Either way, I’m thrilled to be back as a guest blogger here on Section 36 – especially for such a milestone celebration!
The Miss America Opportunity has withstood the test of time, shaping lives for generations of women throughout the country and My Old Kentucky Home is no exception! I’ve learned a lifetime of lessons throughout my time competing for Miss Kentucky – some serious, some silly, and some that involve double-sided sticky tape and the laws of physics.
In honor of Miss Kentucky’s 90th Anniversary this year, I’m sharing 90 lessons I’ve learned along the way. And because I’m extra, we’ve timed this post to land exactly 90 days before we crown the next Miss Kentucky (See? This organization also teaches excellent time management – this is a freebie lesson!)
Some of these are deeply personal, while others are universally relatable to anyone who has ever worn heels for longer than four hours. Either way, whether you’re a lifelong pageant fan, a titleholder in the trenches, or a girl deciding to take that leap of faith, I hope you find a few gems that resonate with you.
Without further ado, here are 90 lessons from my time in the Miss America Opportunity – one for every year Miss Kentucky has been empowering, educating, and let’s be honest, preparing women for job interviews like no other experience can.
2. Butt glue is better than double sided sticky tape every time!
3. Invest in your Little Sister…you’ll gain just as much if not more from the experience than they do!
4. It’s okay to wear the same outfit twice (real people don’t just wear something once)
5. Don’t just live out the four point of the crown on pageant day and watch how it will change your life.
6. Label every single thing you own before your state pageant… legitimately everything - even your makeup brushes!
7. A dream deferred is not a dream denied.
8. Take notes on physical paper.
9. You’re going to miss this one day!
10. There are better fake eyelashes than Ardell Demi Whispies (Try Ardell Naked 421)
11. Don’t be afraid to get several different perspectives – you don’t have to listen to everyone, but it helps you make the most well-informed decision for you!
12. At the end of the day, the person standing on that stage is YOU.
13. If they love you in interview, they’ll love you everywhere else!
14. Vision boards and manifesting are legit!
15. Post social media content for you – this will be the best scrapbook to look back on!
16. Take lots of pictures but never treat things like a photo-op
17. Work hard for the BIG goals - nothing is impossible!
18. Ask for help!
19. Invest in relationships with the right people – you need a strong village in your corner!
20. Know your ‘why’
21. Always have backup wardrobe pieces – I only had one talent dress once and the zipper ripped completely out of it the morning of prelims… I had to be sewn into the dress! (Thank you Robynn Landherr)
22. Be a girl’s girl – there are enough mean people in the world, don’t add to it!
23. Swedish fish and sour patch watermelons are the best candy for backstage
24. Drink lots of water!
25. Invest in the teens – they are our Miss contestants of tomorrow!
26. You never know who is watching
27. Go to Miss America in person at least once in your life!
28. It’s really not that deep, I promise
29. Don’t lose your voice the night before Miss finals because you were screaming too much during Teen finals (this might be personal but still…)
30. Be nice to your mom
31. Go to every local competition and support your sister queens!
32. Don’t be afraid to ask… the worst they’ll say is no!
33. Buy the phone case with your local title on it
34. Have fun!
35. Celebrate the small moments and small wins… they make the journey that much sweeter!
36. Talent is not the be all end all – but you still need to practice.
37. Embrace your state’s traditions and what makes it unique - in Kentucky we auction off a ham for $10.5 million dollars
38. There is always someone working harder than you
39. Your regular day is someone’s biggest dream!
40. E6000 can fix just about anything!
41. Let your eyelash glue dry for 20 seconds and get tacky before you put on fake lashes
42. Don’t shake the judges’ hand when you come in for interview!
43. Go back and watch old Miss America pageants on YouTube when you can’t sleep
44. Honor the women who have come before you
45. Miss America has a magical way of withstanding the test of time
46. You need to actually read the titleholder contracts
47. Don’t just fill out your paperwork and never look at it again
48. In the words of Mel Robbins – “Let Them”
49. Travel your state and meet as many people as possible
50. You’ll never break the habit of overpacking (probably a personal one here too!)
51. Read more than just the headlines
52. Time flies and you’ll be out of eligibility before you know it!
53. The answer is yes – you should always get a spray tan
54. Handwritten thank you cards never go out of style
55. Comparison is the thief of joy
56. For every 1 competition related goal, you should have 2 goals not rooted in competition!
57. Don’t change into the person you THINK the judges are looking for… stay true to you!
58. If they give you the opening number dance to learn before you arrive, learn it.
59. Don’t just fly by the seat of your pants in your closing statement during interview
60. Always have joke in your back pocket when emceeing (or know someone in the audience to call out)
61. Create opportunities for yourself, don’t just wait for them to find you!
62. Curate a playlist for state pageant week that will keep you energized, calm your nerves, and give you an excuse for a dance break!
63. If your talent run through isn’t flawless, that doesn’t mean your competition performance won’t be!
64. You don’t have to win a preliminary award to be the next state titleholder! (Read this again the night before finals)
65. Take a breath in and out before you answer your on-stage question!
66. Make fun buttons with your face on them for friends and family during the state competition!
67. Invest in competition wardrobe pieces you’ll want to wear more than once!
68. Some people are brave enough to put their sash in the washing machine… I am not.
69.Find a good seamstress…One of the first things judges notice is how your wardrobe fits!
70. Invest in a good deep conditioning treatment – my hair was fried after being curled so much during state pageant week last year!
71. Great skincare is the first step in great makeup!
72. If your dressing rooms have the big bright lights, turn them off when you’re not using them, so you don’t overheat!
73. Be willing to take constructive criticism but only listen if its constructive
74. I know it’s cringey to watch yourself but make sure you’re filming your preparation!
75. You don’t have to be best friends with everyone, but everyone deserves your respect and admiration!
76. Fuel your body properly so your energy is a 10/10
77. Take time to rest
78. Invest in hair and makeup lessons from a professional!
79. Find ways to stay physically fit that are fun!
80. If your earring won’t stay in your ear, use lash glue on the back to glue it in
81. Show your personality
82. Trust me… things are about to get really exciting for you!
83. If you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all!
84. Sit by different people at lunch every day during state pageant week!
85. Your biggest competition is YOU and ONLY YOU!
86. Yes, you should practice walking
87. Always pack snacks!
88. So, what if you fail - you live and learn!
89. Write your own definition of success.
90. My favorite deserves to be said again… what is meant for you will not pass you by!
As we count down to Miss Kentucky’s 90th crowning, I can’t help but feel grateful to be a small part of this legacy and amazing sisterhood. Whether you’re competing, cheering from the audience, or live streaming from your couch with snacks (a strong choice, by the way), remember, this organization is about more than crowns and sashes… it’s about growing, learning, and carrying these lessons with us long after the final walk.
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