Congratulations Mackenzie!/The Nature of Competitions

Congratulations Mackenzie

Mackenzie Green, a student at the University of Miami, won the Miss District of Columbia USA pageant held in Washington, DC on November 29, 2009.

Green, along with 25 other contestants, strutted their stuff for a panel of judges competing in evening gown, and swimwear. She took special awards in both categories as well.

The pageant conducted interviews on the previous day.

I would like to acknowledge the outstanding Miss District of Columbia Teen USA 2010, Jennifer "JLo" Lopez. Lopez also swept both evening and swimwear categories.

Congratulations to both of you young ladies. Please remember to represent our Nation's Capital with grace and integrity at nationals.

XO
Tia

The Nature of Competitions

I feel compelled to address this topic based on what was and is being said about our winner and the judges' selection for this year.

First, I'll give the disclaimer that I have been a judge of a pageant before, so I know how difficult it is when the results are announced and the sadness of non-winners fills the room. As is known and often said, "There can only be one winner."

This is dedicated to those young ladies who felt cheated, who wondered if they were not beautiful enough, if they should have worn their hair a different way, done their makeup differently, or could have worked out a little more. I bet the winners have the same thoughts as well.

On my profile sheet for the pageant, I answered the following about winning the title:

Why should the judges choose you as the winner?

The judges should choose me as the titleholder because Miss District of Columbia USA is more than a title to me. It is the opportunity to represent the District of Columbia while continuing to enrich the lives of others. Besides, every one of the girls in this competition is a winner.

Ladies, I meant this from the bottom of my heart. It may not have been the best answer, but it was honest. Maybe now you all know why I didn't win... lol... Three minutes is hardly enough time to show your true colors. Don't I know.

Granted, we were perplexed by some of the choices that were or were not made that night, but ultimately, that title now belongs to Mackenzie. As queens, we all know how hard it is when you get bashed on blogs and such and how it can take a toll on one's self-esteem, so we need to rally around our queen in support.

At the end of the day and in any competition, it comes down to what the judges score. You may have been a favorite on someone's ballot. So all of your hard work and beauty did not go unnoticed. Believe me, I know from having judged a pageant before.

We all still love one another because we liked one anther before the pageant, right? Well, newsflash: we are all the same women, even Mackenzie.

My point is that we are all winners, with or without that crown and sash. I know personally that I am a leader, mentor, volunteer, student, etc. even without the title and you are still the same leader that you were before the pageant.

So my beautiful surgeon (cardiovascular perfusionist), cheerleader ambassador, attorney at law, and reporter, just to name a few; you all know who you are. Stay positive and stay beautiful!

XO
Tia