By Arden White | Staff Intern
It’s when you’re next in line for your preliminary walk on the Plant City High School auditorium stage that you realize how nervous you are. Coming to the first stop on the stage, you can feel your smile shaking and can hear your heart pounding.
Once you’ve completed your Calendar Girl walk, you join friends backstage who have already competed.
It’s backstage where you catch a glimpse at what makes this event so special. This is where friendships are strengthened and new friendships are made. Everyone comes together to encourage one another.
On Friday, Oct. 2, I waited with Miss January, Ashlyn Yarbrough, and Miss June, Megan Todd, and prayed to make it to the final round of the competition, known as the top 20. We screamed as we were called onstage.
Later, in the chorus room, the top 20 contestants began preparing their answer to the question, “What is your favorite extra-curricular activity?” For the next 15 minutes, all you could hear was a mixture of girls’ voices practicing for their final chance in the spotlight.
Backstage, in line to answer the question, contestant No. 26, Ashtyn Steele, walked out in place of contestant No. 19, Morgan Nickle. Steele was stopped midway and had to walk again. Steele handled it with grace and ended up becoming the 2016 Plant City High School Cover Girl.
As for me, another round of walking made me feel uneasy because of my dress. I had gotten it a week before, and it seemed to have 1,000 layers of tulle underneath it. All I could envision was slipping off the stage and falling onto the judges.
When I had completed my walk and was at my final point onstage, it was time for me to answer the question. All I could do is hope I said everything as eloquently as I had planned.
Had I not had the experience in public speaking, as well as being affirmed by many people I’ve had the opportunity to interview for The Plant City Times & Observer, I might not have done as well. Looking out into the crowd of my peers and with the community cheering me on is exhilarating.
Being sashed as Miss February for Plant City High School’s 2016 Calendar Girl was an honor. To be a part of this experience, along with all of the amazing girls, is unforgettable.
Arden White is an intern at the Plant City Times & Observer and was crowned Miss February in the PCHS Calendar Girl pageant.