We Aim To Slay

After four long years, I will be returning to the pageant stage this upcoming Sunday as I compete for the title of Miss World America Connecticut!

When I began preparing I was asked what made me want to return to the stage.

I competed in my first pageant when I was about eleven years old. From then until my second year of college, pageantry wasn’t only my hobby – it was my passion, my sport.

Through competing in pageants I gained invaluable skills – being able to interview and carry on a conversation with all sorts of people, the importance of believing in yourself, and knowing that the only person you’re really competing against is yourself, amongst so many more.

So when Laurye Natale of Dazzle Boutique – the state director of Miss World America Connecticut – told me to give it another go, I couldn’t resist the chance to dust off

my Jonathan Kane heels!

Like most instances, I found myself doing ample research about the pageant system. There are two main things that drew me to Miss World America – contestants compete in fitness wear rather than a swimsuit, and, the program Beauty With A Purpose.

“Beauty With A Purpose, which I started in 1972, is the heart of Miss World, each country chooses a project close to their home, presenting their projects at Miss World. I am so incredibly proud of all the hard work and results achieved by the young women around the world,” said Julia Morley, chairman of the Miss World Organization (which runs the annual Miss World Pageant).

I consider Beauty With A Purpose to be equivalent to having a pageant platform – a cause or concern that you work on promoting and to raise awareness. That could be working with organizations such as Best Buddies or Smile Train – two of the many organizations that the Miss Universe Organization works with – or, how the current Miss World 2018 Vanessa Ponce De Leon visited Des Moines, Iowa, to take part in the 45th Annual Variety Children’s Charity Telethon (where they raised more than $4 million USD!).

While at first I felt like I was staring at a brick wall because I didn’t typically compete in pageants that required having a platform, I soon realized that this blog, We Aim To Slay, is my “beauty with a purpose.”

Everyday I’m brainstorming different topics and post ideas, all with the mission of

providing affordable beauty and fashion tips and tricks, and promoting my personal idea of beauty – that it stems from having confidence in yourself and how you present yourself each day, no matter how you choose to do so!

Now on to fitness wear. I’ve competed in swimsuit pageants before and while I always end up feeling like a million bucks while I’m on stage, there’s something quite unnerving about standing on a stage wearing a bikini, you know? In fitness wear, you’re able to showcase all of your hard work and training, without having to glue your bottoms to your body (butt glue – it’s a real thing).

Rounding out the phases of competition is hands down my favorite part of pageantry – evening wear.

Who wouldn’t enjoy the chance to dress up in a fancy evening gown, with full hair and makeup, and dazzling accessories for a couple of hours at a time, am I right? There’s something magical and transformative about floating down a runway when you’re feeling your most elegant.

And speaking of evening wear, I cannot wait to show you what my gown looks like! Make sure to keep and eye on my Instagram (@RealTGallagher) and right here on We Aim To Slay to find a full recap of my pageant wardrobe!

And so, with only four days left before I return to the stage, I’m feeling confident in my decision.

At 23 years old, I’m not the same young woman who last strutted down the runway at 19 years old. Nor am I the same young girl who first discovered that there was a world outside of horseback riding.

To everyone who has joined me on this journey, thank you for all of your support!

To everyone who has been considering stepping outside of their comfort zone or starting a new activity or project – go for it! Take that leap! As Norman Vincent Peale said, “Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss, you’ll land amongst the stars.”

I hope you have an incredible day my dear, and as always, remember to SLAY!