UT alumna Briana Truex, 23, has watched the Miss America Pageant every year since she was 5 years old. This fall, she will represent Travis County in the Miss Texas International Pageant. It is her first time to compete in a pageant.
"I think there are two different types of people in pageants," Truex said. "There are those who have been doing it since they were walking and those who do it for the experience. I definitely fall into the second category."
Truex first came across the pageant while looking through the community events board on Craigslist. The pageant is open to single 19- to 29-year-old females and can result in awards worth more than $11,000. After buying a home in Austin and leaving a well-paying job as a nanny in New York, Truex saw the awards as an incentive. Entry at the local level requires a transcript and application that are judged by an anonymous Executive State Committee. Contestants must choose a platform or issue to speak on throughout their year as Miss Texas International. Truex's platform focuses on women's cancer, such as breast and cervical.
"I wanted my platform to be something close to me. It's important to increase awareness," Truex said. "Prevention is always better than treatment. If I were to win, I'd love to work with the Susan G. Komen [Breast Cancer] Foundation."
The pageant consists of four categories. A five-minute interview is worth 40 percent of each contestant's score. Evening gown, fitness wear and fun fashion wear each count 20 percent.
"We look for well-rounded young women who are not only beautiful but have depth," said Kristin Koether, executive state director of Miss Texas International. "We look for young women who not only want to challenge themselves but to make a difference in their communities. Finally, we're looking for a true representation of today's young woman, and for that specific reason, prior pageant experience isn't necessary. In fact, the past three Miss Texas Internationals had never completed in a pageant before ours."
The current Miss Texas International, 26-year-old Monika Stewart, is the first African-American to hold the title. She said the greatest aspect of winning is having the chance to serve as a role model for the children she meets. The most challenging part of this year has been balancing work, school and modeling and acting auditions along with her title responsibilities, she said. Although she didn't expect to win, the pageant's focus on community involvement and service drew Stewart to applying. She was also happy that the competition doesn't involve swimsuit wear.
"You can be your own worst enemy and your own stiffest competition," Stewart said. "Just remember you have the right to be up on that stage as much as everyone else does. As long as you go out there and give it the best you have in you, win or lose, you can walk away with your head held high."
The Miss Texas International Pageant will be held April 11 to 13 at the Scottish Rite Auditorium in downtown San Antonio. In preparation for the upcoming competition, Truex has busied herself most with gown fittings and finding sponsors to aid in the entrance and gown fees. She has been seeking help from restaurants and other establishments she frequents near campus. With family and friends also providing financial and moral support, Truex may forego investing in a pageant coach.
"I'll just kind of wing it," Truex said. "How hard is it to wear an evening gown?"
Truex will be competing with 16 other contestants from Texas for the title. Although she would like to be crowned, she looks forward to a new and rewarding experience either way.
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