What Regency International Pageant Can Teach You About Perseverance

Her palms were damp, her legs shaky, and she was sure the crowd could hear her heart beating out of her chest… THUMP THUMP…. THUMP THUMP….! The next thing she knew, she heard her name. Despite all of her hard work perfecting her walk, custom made outfits she worked hard to create and budget for, hours at the gym, and countless appearances, Ms. Texas, Amanda Middleton, placed 2nd runner up in the Ms. division for the 2017 Regency International Pageant. Sometimes these things, despite your best effort, just happen. How you react shows your character and determines your future. Many contestants would have begun searching that night for a new system to compete in. Those girls are not Regency girls. Those girls were not Amanda Middleton.

Results were out and judges’ final scores were released. Amanda failed to capture her dream by two-tenths of a point (0.2)! What would you do in her shoes? Like a phoenix, Amanda planned to return the following year stronger and brighter than ever! Eager to begin part 2 of her Regency journey, Amanda began preparation. Then, like a red light that skips past yellow, her dreams came to a halt! Her brother and soon to be sister-in-law were to be married on the same day as the 2018 pageant. The chance to reach her goal would have to wait another year.

Fast forward to 2019. Appreciating the value of community service the Regency International Organization prides itself on, the family (friends who become family) you make, and the dedication & leadership from the director (Mrs. Terri Dingle), Amanda could not wait to return to her pageant family to vie for the coveted title of Ms. Regency International once more. Would this time be different, would she find herself realizing her dream, placing in the top three but falling short of the title, or not even placing in the prestigious top five? It can be easy to let fear get the best of you, but Amanda grabbed the opportunity by the horns and held on tight! Throwing herself into community service, social media connections, a new wardrobe, countless hours practicing her walk, staying fit at the gym, and brushing up on her interview skills, Amanda believed she was as prepared as she could be to reach her goal.

The interview (her favorite level of competition) was effortless and fun. Fashion was delightful and full of energy. Evening gown was as elegant as a Disney Princess. Photogenic was announced and much to her surprise and joy, she had won that award. Despite her best performance, Amanda’s nerves were working against her. Once again, she found herself on stage, palms sweaty, heart beating louder than a trombone, and legs as sturdy as toothpicks. All at once, it came down to two. Two smart and beautiful women each as deserving of the crown as their new friends and competitors. Her name was NOT called… She was not the runner up. This time, she accomplished her goal and the dream she’d been waiting for more than two years for. Amanda, an elementary educator, was now our 2019 Ms. Regency International!

Perseverance is one of the many qualities that Amanda possesses that make her a successful international titleholder. Community, family, leadership, and caring pageant staff are why Amanda came back to compete in the Regency International Organization. Ask Amanda and she will agree, the best things in life are worth waiting and working for.