Miss America 2016, Betty Cantrell, set the record straight about stereotypes the pageant world faces at UPC's fall speaker event.
"They think it’s just about the beauty and the bikini, and that couldn’t be further from the truth," Cantrell said. "In order to compete, you have to be contributing to your society and be a servant to the people and a lot of people don’t realize that."
Cantrell was joined on stage by Miss Alabama, Meg McGuffin, and Miss Auburn University, Susanna Bagwell at the event, where each girl shared their background and perspective on the pageant world.
As Miss America, Cantrell is the national goodwill ambassador for Children's Miracle Network Hospitals. Cantrell said she recently visited triplets in a hospital that had been there "basically since they were born" and how the experience impacted her.
"Seeing kids like that run up to you and hug you and want to wear your crown and be you, it’s an overwhelming experience," Cantrell said. "You know they’re in a hospital and their childhood is being stolen from them because of something they can’t control [their health]."
McGuffin said a "life changing journey" began the night she was crowned Miss Auburn University. She represented Auburn University at the Miss Alabama pageant that year and served as the president of AUBIE-EDA, holding four events to promote a more "body positive campus," according to McGuffin.
"Comparison is the thief of joy," McGuffin said. "If you take nothing more from this event tonight, take away this."
Miss America's platform, "Healthy Children, Strong America", is similar to McGuffin's platform, "Healthy is The New Skinny", according to Cantrell.
"This generation could be the first generation to not outlive their parents because of obesity," Cantrell said. "That’s just
Cantrell said she is hoping to be "the right role model" as Miss America to inspire other to live healthy lifestyles.
"I firmly believe that you don’t have to be a zero or a two or a four or a six to be healthy," Cantrell said. "You can be a size 12 and be perfectly healthy for your body type."
When talking about her platform, "Confidence and Character for Life through Education", Bagwell said she wants to challenge students to get involved with the community.
"Everyone has their own special talents and skills that they can use to better others," Bagwell said. "Find a way that is unique to you whether it’s coaching a sports team or tutoring in math or even working with a child through Project Uplift."
When a male student asked Cantrell to his formal, Cantrell said "Well, I could give you my boyfriend’s number and you can text him." The male student left quickly afterward.
Ashlyn Van Wert, junior in marine biology, said Cantrell is a "really sweet person and she’s very real." Van Wert has known Cantrell for several years and said she hasn't seen her in about two years until tonight.
"She’s one of my good friends for like a long time so we just share a lot of memories together," Van Wert said. "She’s very new to the pageant industry and I just think that she represents everyone well."
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