I'm Miss WF? Wait but really?

Wow. Well. Where to start? I should probably mention that I have tried to type this post for the last two weeks. For the record, I did type the whole thing with picture. And my computer didn't save it. So it deleted. Okay back to the story.

I am officially "Miss West Florence 2014-2015". It's exciting. It was completely unexpected. I went into that pageant with this-will-be-fun-but-I-don't-really-care kind of attitude. And really, it was crazy how it all turned out.

I am not a fan of people who brag, and so I don't want you to think that I'm trying to brag. I do want to share about this whole experience, because it is AMAZING to me how God worked and I still can't believe it.

Let's start from the beginning! Miss West Florence is the annual pageant at West Florence (I know, I know, you never would've guessed that right?) Each club and team chooses a girl to represent them in the pageant and as President of Tennis Club, I was chosen (basically told..) to be in it. I did it last year too, and had a good time. This year was WAYYYY more fun because almost all of my best friends were in it. Seriously, it made it so special. So the pageant was December 13th. I was able to borrow a beautiful dress from a VERY VERY sweet friend who graduated from Clemson last year, about 3 weeks before the pageant. My dad found a sweet lady to do my hair and makeup about a week before. I found a casual wear dress the Thursday night before the pageant. So as you can see, I wasn't super prepared or anything. 

Okay before I move on let me point out that the pageant has several components. First, all the contestants have a 3 minute interview with the judges, before the pageant starts. Then, on stage in front of the audience, there is a casual wear segment. Then there is formal wear. Then the top 10 are announced, and they state their philosophy on life. Then the top 5 are announced, then they have to answer an onstage question. Then the winners are announced.

But before I keep going.. I need to talk about an important part of this story. Lately, I have found that I enjoy praying while driving. And so on the way to West on Saturday, I prayed that God would let me not be awkward during my interview (a constant prayer.), that everything would go well, that I would have fun/make memories, and that I would be able to glorify Him. 

Okay now let me continue, since the order you are in depends on the club/team you represent (put in alphabetical order), and Tennis Club is kind of at the end of the alphabet, I was number 27 of 30. This meant I had plenty of time to hang out until my interview. When it was time for my interview, I went in, met the judges and sat down. They were all very nice people, and did an awesome job (can I say that? I mean, obviously I think they did a good job..). The questions they ask came off of an information sheet we had to turn in before the pageant. I was asked several questions, ranging from why The Blindside was my favorite movie, to how my EFM kids have made an impact on me. Overall, I felt like my interview this year went way better than it did last year. I liked the judges. I thought they were nice, and I really didn't mind talking to them.

So then the pageant started. Casual wear was first. For this part we had to walk out, go up to the mic, say a greeting, our name, number, and what we were representing. For those that weren't there mine sounded like this: "Good evening everyone! My name is Alana Tyler, I am contestant number 27, and I'm proud to be representing Tennis Club, where you don't have to play, to serve." If you know anything about tennis club, you know that it really has nothing to do with tennis. And yes, I came up with that by myself and I was really excited about it. Here's a picture of me during my walk on stage, and the "odd" contestants when we were called back out to make turns. 

So then we had formal wear. Here's a picture of me walking on stage during that, and of the odd contestants during that as well. 

Well, after we had formal wear, everyone is called back on stage in number order, 1-30 and the top ten are announced. I felt like everything had gone well. But I had set it in my heart to not be really disappointed if it didn't turn out well. Imagine my surprise when my name and number was called first! I made it into the top ten. And then.. Ann Collins was called. And one by one the other 8 girls were called and so many of them were my very close friends. It was great. So exciting. Here's a few pictures of the top ten: Hailey, Elizabeth, Mattie, Ann Collins, myself, Abbey, Amanda, Lauren B, and Lauren S, and Molly. 

So each girl had to state her "Philosophy on Life". Obviously, as 16, 17, and 18 year olds none of us had perfect answers, but I really thought that each girl did her best. Mine was "to take full advantage of every moment you have with a person, because you never know when those moments or that person will be taken away from you.". I really meant mine. It is very true. 

Okay so after that, the curtains closed, there were a few minutes of being able to relax our face from all that smiling, and then it was back to standing in line and waiting.

When they announced top five, I really wasn't expecting my name to be called. At all. I was like, oh that's nice top ten, better than last year. And then they called Ann Collins name and I was like oh yes! I'm so glad, and then they called mine. I walked up to stand beside her and I was a little in shock to be honest! But it was me! Here are some pictures of the top SIX, there was a tie! Me and AC right after I was called, and then the top six: Mattie, Elizabeth, myself, Ann Collins,Abbey, and Lauren.

So the top five have to answer an onstage question. The questions were shown to the contestants about an hour before the pageant started, so we could form some kind of idea what we would say. The questions ranged from how to improve security in FSD1, to what your future plans were. As soon as I saw the sheet, I knew that I really really wanted one question if I was to be chosen in the top five. "What club or extracurricular activity has made the most impact on you during your high school years?" If you have read any of my other blogs, you have seen me mention my East Florence Mission kids. I knew if I got that question it would go well. But I had no idea I'd actually make it to the top five. So fast forward and here we are, on stage, my turn. You have no idea what your question is going to be. A basket of folded pieces of paper is brought to you and you just choose one. So as the questions were brought to me, I said a quick prayer that I would say the right thing and I chose the paper that looked the most promising.

Yeah. It was.

The question. My question. The "What club or extracurricular activity has made the most impact on you during your high school years?"question. And so I nodded my head, walked to the mic, and waited on the emcee to announce my question. And then I answered. I will try and remember what I said, but it will probably not be exact. It was something like this, "I can easily say being on the staff at the East Florence Mission, where we teach underprivileged children about Jesus, and how much we love them has definitely made the biggest impact on my high school life. I love getting to see them each week and knowing that I have made some type of positive influence in their lives. I can't begin to explain the amazing impact they have made on mine. Without a doubt, they have taught me to be grateful for everything and to love someone no matter what their circumstances. Thank you.". 

It was probably not phrased the best way, and it probably was spoken way too fast. But I was able to share about my kids, and what I'm doing over at EFM with over 150 people in that auditorium. And to me, that was huge. I was so thrilled that God had given me that opportunity. There were five other girls who could've gotten that question. But they didn't. Crazy. 

I don't remember everyone else's questions. But I know that they did awesome. All of them. I was so proud to be standing on that stage with those girls. 

After we were done answering questions, they closed the curtains, and I just remember hugging girls, Hailey telling me she was crying after I answered that, dancing to whoever was singing on stage, and trying to relax my smile.  

And then it was time to announce winners! 

The first to be announced was Miss Congeniality. This year, it was actually co-miss congenialtIES. Amanda B, and me! We were both chosen by our fellow contestants. It really was an honor. I didn't expect that at all. So so sweet. Here's a picture right after we were awarded that.

And then they announced First Runner Up. Ann Collins! I was so excited for my sweet friend. And so proud! My tennis club VP and best friend. She did an awesome job. Here's an awkward picture taken of me and a pretty one of her.

I was so happy for her. They announced Miss West Florence. And..

Me? Alana Tyler? Really? I looked to AC for confirmation. 

Since she was looking at me, it hit me that hey. They called my name! Me! I actually won!

After that, it's a blur. No but really. So many pictures. 

It was truly an honor. I was so excited to be chosen as Miss West Florence, but also as (co)  Miss Congeniality? When I look back to four years ago, heading to scary public school.. let's just say that I never would've imagine winning Miss West Florence my senior year. I was just trying to get through day by day. And here I am, soon to graduate, and I love it. 

I love this picture. Oh I love it. So many absolutely beautiful girls in this pageant. Absolutely beautiful, inside and out. 

These are five absolutely gorgeous, amazing, sweet, loving girls. And I am very lucky to consider them my dear friends. 

Two of the most important guys in my life. Love them both so so much.

Oh my sweet sweet Nana. We weren't sure if she was going to be able to come, but I am so glad she did. I love her.

Look at all those First Pres kids! So thankful to be apart of p3. We really are a family.

So pretty much the only half-decent picture of me by myself. I have a trophy and a crown and some flowers and a sash. I am so thankful to live in a free country, where I can stand on stage and answer that question in a way that glorifies God. I am so thankful that I could share about my kids, and my love for them. I am honored that my friends think highly enough of me to vote me Miss Congeniality. And I am extremely honored to be "Miss West Florence."

To everyone that has sent me a sweet note, said something kind, congratulated me.. THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU. This has been such an encouragement to me. I appreciate every sentiment. 

Hope you enjoyed my "story". I am excited to finally be posting this. Just ignore the grammar errors, please. 

Thanks for reading. Enjoy this picture of me and Taylor. Possibly one of my favorite pictures from the night.

UPDATE: I've been told by people that this post is really braggy sounding. That was completely not my intention. I contemplated taking it down, but decided to just post this instead. I am just trying to share how God was able to use me to speak about what He's doing at EFM. Because it was really cool. And if you think that I posted this blog to show the world how great I am, then hopefully you don't know me too well. Because that's not why I did it.

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