A Mercy senior won the first ever beauty pageant held at Mercy. The competition was full of talented individuals who attended the Dobbs Ferry campus. The competition was open to anyone and everyone with no experience needed and consisted of dancers and singers who performed in front of judges and an audience. 

“It was a great opportunity and a chance to get out of my comfort zone,” said the winner, Niani. “As a senior, this was a great way to end my college experience as this was the first pageant Mercy has held.”

The Caribbean Student  Association wanted to try something new with an event the club had never held before. In an attempt to hold and host as many events in a school year as they can, the pageant was deemed a success. The club has tried to have as many events for students to attend and enjoy and was beyond glad to have been given the chance to host this one. 

“ As a club and an association, we have to make events that are fun for the student body when students aren’t focusing on their studies and try to have fun every once in a while,”  says a club member. 

For those who are not familiar with beauty pageants and don’t understand the purpose of such a competition, a beauty pageant is where individuals are judged based on their attributes along with what makes them stand out amongst other contestants. Based on what people who barely know little to nothing about pageants can refer to the Miss Congeniality series that stars Sandra Bullock, and her journey from a police officer to a beauty pageant contestant. 

Beauty queens get the reputation of representing their countries trying to win trophies and titles. Titles are what makes a reputation of a beauty queen known and respected by other and fellow beauty queens as winning isn’t everything, but being respected is. In the competition, contestants showcased their talents and received a score. The senior got a perfect ten for the talent she decided on performing for the audience, but most importantly the judges. Contestants for beauty pageants normally wear sashes that represent where they are from to the titles that they have won. They are what goes on top of a ball gown made specifically for competitions and pageants as they are worn over the right shoulder. The image of beauty queens is to remain poise, glamorous and role models with a clean image on and off stage. Little girls see them as princesses and beautiful while the world may see them as beautiful and determined. 

College beauty pageants aren’t new for most colleges, but for Mercy, it is and has not been decided on whether or not the event will take place next or in future semesters to come. Other colleges have such an event as a tradition and make their own title for their contestants to win. Over time colleges that throw pageants have learned what works and what does not work for their school and contestants that wish to participate. 

Although many people and women may tell themselves that they would never enter a competition like a beauty pageant it is fair enough to say that it is not just about how you look or come across on stage. It is about how fun and staying true to yourself and your character in the midst of being judged by people who may not understand why you compete

If she had to tell females ooking to compete for the next pageant if the Caribbean Student Association were to host another pageant she would say not to be afraid to step out of your comfort zone and to have fun with it. The only way to have the best fun is to be yourself and show all there is for yourself to offer as there is no one on that stage that comes close to who you are. Being unique is a gift and shouldn’t be ignored. 

“ You don’t go into a competition expecting to win. You go into a competition giving it your all and to not lose.”