by Jane Bouterse y knock went unanswered, but I illuminated by strips of rounded, glowing young blonde beauty while the hair stool knew someone was there. I had an bulbs; counters and stools in front of the was occupied by a slightly older brunette. Mappointment, so I cautiously opened mirrors provided comfortable workspaces for Although both girls appeared already gifted and peeked around the unlocked door. The the busyness in the room. On one counter a with a physical appearance attractive to dogs’ expected barking still startled me as I large metal case, with several layers which anyone’s eye, the whole truth was yet to be quickly stepped inside and closed the door. folded out for easy access. The bins on each revealed. Thirteen-year old Malori Carlow For the first time these furry youngsters layer were filled with an array of brushes and resembled an alien visitor with her blonde (the Elder Statesman was not among them) blushes, shadows and shapers—make-up locks captured by a head full of hot rollers seemed to recognize me as more friend to highlight any skin, eye or hair color—the while her eighteen year old companion, than foe. Still I stood alone. The room was birthplace of a beauty. On the other counter, Morgan Miller, explored the colors and semi-dark except for the cloudy light filtering hair brushes and combs, clips, hot rollers, shapes, which would accentuate her through the breakfast room windows on the hot irons and hair dryers and cans of the sparkling blue eyes. Obviously, these back wall. Before I called out, I listened. I ever-present hair spray. The room was filled girls are winners and have just been could hear what sounded like voices, but with a corps of workers and watchers. crowned to prove it. On May 1 at the John they seemed to come from a room darker On the make-up stool sat a Thomas Performing Arts Theater, Morgan and deeper Miller was into the center crowned Miss of the house. Teen Arkansas- Nonetheless, World; Malori with the dogs to Carlow, Junior lead my way, I Miss Arkansas- assumed the role World. They are of intruder and now preparing headed toward the for their winners’ sounds. photography A session—a few, hesitant rigorous steps…voices, preparation varied voices… required by more cautious every pageant steps…louder appearance. voices…bolder This routine steps…laughter, will definitely excitement… be repeated in suddenly….I stood June in Houston in a doorway during the Miss peering into Teen United a small room States-World awash with bright Pageant and light. Mirrors on Junior Miss each side of the United States- doorway were Morgan Miller, Miss Teen Arkansas-World 2010 Malori Carlow, Junior Miss Arkansas-World 2010 World Pageant. 10 ALT Magazine According to Debbie Brower, the Executive State Director, girls throughout the state of Arkansas and residents of Bowie County, Texas, (a stipulation of Director Brower) are eligible to compete in the Miss Teen-World pageants. The two age brackets for contestants are Junior Miss, ages 9-12 and Teen, 13-19. Contestants must be residents of their respective areas with reputations beyond reputable and no wandering pictures. Each girl completes a questionnaire and pays an entry fee. Three local judges and four from out-of-town choose the winners based on four categories worth 25 percent each: (1) Private interview. All the judges are present for the no-holds-barred interview. Judges may choose their questions from the contestant’s fact sheet or develop some of their own; (2) Evening wear and (3) Onstage questions. Contestants are unaware of what their onstage questions might be. (Perhaps that’s why there are books of potential questions and answers for pageant contestants to study.) Teens compete in (4) Swimsuit, while Juniors compete in (4) Sportswear. The pageant itself was begun by Houstonian Gaspar Cruz as a vehicle to recognize both the beauty and character of young women. It is the only pageant for teens that goes to a World Pageant. Beginning at the state level—as in Miss Teen Arkansas-World— winners next compete for Miss Teen United States-World; ultimately, Miss Teen-World. The first Miss Teen-World hailed from England while the reigning Miss Teen-World calls South Africa her home. Even though contestants for Miss Teen-World now come from approximately 35 countries, hopes are high that the third Miss Teen-World will be from the United States—to be exact, Little Rock, Arkansas— Morgan Miller’s hometown. Winners receive scholarship monies and cash, modeling contracts and make contacts. As these girls prove, many of the rewards associated with pageants are not taxable, but change the lives of the participants, nonetheless. Morgan Miller, the new Miss Teen Arkansas-World, is well aware of both the frenetic pace and pressure of representing herself well. With one eye accentuated by the make-up and blush on one cheek, she does not yet have the “look” of a pageant beauty— www.alt-mag.com 11 but her incessant, an awesome deal, and all of kinda’ like world peace—I wanted it spread glowing smile is them support me.” Currently, out.” She turns her head thoughtfully and still present and older brother Matt, 22, is shrugs her shoulders. she can easily a student at Florida State “It is kind of a good thing to be in laugh at herself. University while Spencer, 13 pageants, though, especially being able to “No! I can’t do months older than Morgan, handle the pressure of the questions.” For serious,” she attends the University of Morgan, as for many pageant contestants it observes. This Arkansas. Since her high seems, responding to the judges’ questions 5’5” brunette with school graduation is just is a real challenge. “I have learned in the penetrating behind her, Morgan plans to the interview process not to spurt out blue eyes would join Spencer my answers be striking whether in Fayetteville and to let my in her softball in the fall. Her personality shine or cheerleader only problem? through.” Morgan uniforms. As Leaving is pleased a student at her three that many of Episcopal Schnauzers the pageant Collegiate School behind, but participants learn in Little Rock, she knows how about eating Morgan played to deal with and exercising second base, challenges…. and practicing shortstop and For one healthy lifestyles pitched for the challenge, as they prepare girls’ softball Morgan for swimsuit team. “I really do thoroughly competitions. like pitching a lot enjoys eating— In the process for the school teams. There is definitely no her favorites include sushi of preparing, pressure,” Morgan laughs. “I love going to and spicy foods—but she decision-making the lake to water ski, too. I’m not very good has the discipline to work is an absolute but enjoy it a lot.” out regularly. “I workout 1-2 necessity, so When Morgan hangs up her hours almost every day,” she girls also have to uniforms, she exercises her creative explains. “That’s my time. I like learn what they energies by baking cookies. “I have it because no one bothers me. like and what mastered the art of cupcakes,” this Food I do lots of cardio work on the they don’t like. Network fan proudly declares. “My most ellipticals, crunches for abs ambitious project was baking my friend’s 16th and free weights.” Unspoken birthday cake. It was a square cake on the To look at Morgan as she dons a by Morgan but obvious is that pageant bottom with a round top and buttercream strapless denim summer dress with its short, competitions provide mixed messages. icing on it so the blue fondant would stick. ruffled skirt or her long, flowing turquoise They do teach participants to represent (They sell the fondant at the craft store.) gown, or even her “Whoo Pig Sooie” red, themselves, but what happens when they do The 16 candles were on top. She was pretty rhinestoned Razorback T-shirt with jeans, not win First Place…and they don’t always? excited and so was I. The cake was good, every hair perfectly placed and make-up For example, Morgan competed in the Miss too.” Morgan virtually bubbles with pleasure accentuating her best features—no one Teen Arkansas USA for 3 years and finished as she describes the success she and her would guess…………. “I am really a shorts in the top 15 for the last two. She was a friend shared. and T-shirt kind of person. I wear no make- competitor in the Miss Arkansas High School That same enthusiasm is evident as up to school and often go with wet hair. I like Pageant, competing against winners from she talks about her peculiarly perfect family. to sit for hours and talk and talk and talk— all the high schools in the state for 2 years. Her mom and dad are divorced. Her mom about anything, and I love hanging out with She was First Runner-Up in 2009. Miss has been a figure skating instructor in Dallas friends. I like to dance, too. I really don’t like Teen Arkansas-World has been her first First since Morgan was nine years old. Morgan, attention on me. Place. From each of her pageants she has her dad and stepmom, “Iboo,” live in Little “My graduation from high school made discoveries about herself as well as Rock, also home for her two older brothers. was my day with my family, (my dad cried), pageant dos and don’ts. Morgan has chosen “We all get along,” Morgan declares.