By Etta Tidd
1. Advocate - It is important to contact the directors of the program (At the local, state, or national level) well in advance. Whether through email, in conversation, or over the phone; find a way to lay out all the details about your accommodations, and warning signs for if something were to go wrong. Being able to advocate for yourself to the directors helps ensure you will receive your accommodations, but also allows the directors to give all the competition volunteers the right information. Try to not stress about this because truly everyone is there to help you, and wants to see you succeed!
2. Supports- Keep your support people/emergency contacts close. Whenever I am competing I ask my mom to stay somewhat in the area on the day of the competition just in case anything bad happens. Even though sometimes the chances of a health emergency are low, it's important to plan for the worst in this situation because it can ease anxiety.
3. Sleep and Eat Healthy- During competition week it is important to get sleep and eat heathy as much as possible! I know firsthand that it can be super difficult to get adequate sleep during that week when nerves are running high and time is running low. Sometimes even putting in Airpods, playing comforting music, wrapping yourself up in a blanket, and using a stuffed animal as a pillow can make you feel even a bit better. Whether it is ten minutes or three, that little bit can get you out of your head and give your body a minute to regenerate.
4. Prepare For Questions- Be prepared to get asked about your chronic illness in Private Interview (if it is on your paperwork). I can think of millions of times that I was asked about my Heart Condition in an interview, sometimes kindly other times not. If you are asked about your illness with a harsh tone, remember that it can come from a lack of understanding and not meant to come off as rude. Be prepared to talk about the accommodations you would put in place for yourself, and that you are still “capable” of doing the job of a titleholder despite a chronic illness.
5. Schedule- If you have the opportunity to become a titleholder within the Miss America Opportunity, it is very important to schedule appearances wisely. For women without a Chronic illness it might be possible to schedule three appearances in one day for themselves but often it may not be for you. I reduce additional exhaustion and sickness by being realistic with my schedule, if there are three appearances I want to do in the same day I pick the person who asked me first, or one that most aligns with my mission (If I was not asked). It can be upsetting to not be able to attend everything under the sun unlike most titleholders, but unfortunately there is not a fix to that. I always remind myself that I would rather be fully present and active for one appearance, rather than not representing my mission, and the brand of Miss America correctly for three
With this, remind yourself of the strengths that a chronic illness brings to you, like being able to give you a story. Miss America represents ALL different types of women, especially those with different issues. You get a space to represent people who are often under represented in the media and pageantry. Think of how it might have felt to grow up without correct representation for your chronic disease, now you have the opportunity to be that representation for children and adults alike.
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Etta Tidd is the currrent Miss Pike Creek's Teen (WI). You can find her on Instagram at her title's account, and her personal account.
This is her first guest blog for Section 36 Forevers.
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