Why Compete?

Hello Fellow Bay Staters!

Have you ever asked yourself, "What would possess someone to compete in Miss Massachusetts?" If so, you are in luck! The next Miss Massachusetts will be crowned in exactly SIX MONTHS and I wanted to give three quick reasons to consider competing and sharing the program with a friend!  With brevity in mind, here they are:

#1: Personal Growth: The maturity, interview skills, and self confidence gained through the Miss America Organization are unparalleled. Imagine performing a solo talent with all eyes on you and being asked controversial questions in front of a crowd. Was I nervous my first time competing? I don't deny it. However, the confidence I have gained has shaped my life in ways that those close to me are stunned by each day. When I walked into all of my dental school interviews, I came armed with a mentality that I could handle any question they asked and that I didn't need to know all the answers. Yes, that was calming. The Miss America Organization equips young women to handle any situation they find themselves in!

#2:  Scholarships: Yes, this is a clear perk. However, many people don't know that there are never any entry fees to compete for Miss America at the local, state, and national levels! Just this year, I earned $28,600 in scholarships to apply to my education at the Harvard School of Dental Medicine. I think a hashtag is fitting: #Grateful

#3:  Friendships and Networking:  We have all heard that friends and connections are worth their weight in gold. It is true! After competing for Miss America, I received an email and a phone call from a former Miss America, which culminated in her connecting me to America's Toothfairy: The National Children's Oral Health Foundation for which I am now a spokesperson. Do you want to make an impact in your chosen field? Consider competing in the Miss America Organization--you might just be astonished by the caring and intelligent women that the program can connect you to!

I am fortunate to now have a friend in every state and to have friends studying abroad (with whom I might have slept on a couch or two while traveling).

Do you want to start your journey? Visit missmass.org for more information!

Warm wishes during this chilly weather,

Lauren Kuhn
Miss Massachusetts 2014, 4th Runner-up to Miss America 2015
Harvard School of Dental Medicine DMD Class of 2017