While some students spend their time participating in sports or music, sophomore Alycia McVay has a special interest. McVay competes in pageants that consist of a casual wear and a gown section, a talent section and an interview. She’s been doing this for little over a year.

1. What is your talent?
“My talent is always dance. I create a new dance for most of my pageants.”

2. When did you begin dance?
“I began dance when I was two.”

3. How did you get involved in dance?
“I got involved in dance when I was two, so it was my mom.”

4. What are pageants?
“Pageants have a lot of different organizations that you can go through. They consist of mostly girls walking around from newborn-18 in an outfit of choice.”

5. Why do you participate in them?
“I participate in the pageants that I do because most go to someone in need. My next pageant is in Great Bend for a little girl with cancer so all the money goes to her.”

6. What do you win?
“If you win something smaller then you just get a crown or maybe just a medal. If you get a higher title, then you get the crown and a trophy. If you win a national title then you get a bigger crown, a trophy and a sash stating your title. Some pageants you have the chance to win money.”

7. What is your favorite thing about it?
“My favorite thing about dance is that whenever I get upset I can just go and forget everything with a group of people that are like my family. My favorite thing about the pageants is that they go to good causes. You meet so many new people because you travel to different states a  lot and it really is just a safe place.”

8. What is the biggest honor you’ve gotten from this?
“The highest title is what I have right now. I am a State Glamour Girl and State Miss Talent.”

9. What is the most difficult thing about dance and the pageants?

“The most difficult thing about dance is just learning new things, and the most difficult thing about pageants is learning to lose and be happy for the other person.”

10. What does it take to participate in pageants?

“It takes a ton of time, dedication, patience, planning, and you have to love what you do. I practice for a good two hours every day. You don’t get it on your first try.”

11. Can you see yourself continuing in the future?

“In the future I don’t think I see myself doing pageants. I can see myself doing something dance related, but I am not sure yet.”

12. What is the most memorable thing about competing in pageants?

“I would say the people are the most memorable thing. I’ve met so many new people and they are like family.”

13. How do you get involved in pageants and what would you say to anyone who wants to participate?

“To get involved is very simple, you can look up our Diamond Miss-Kansas on Facebook and it will tell you. I would tell anyone interested that it will be the time of their lives and I encourage it!

19ibraun@usd489.com