Pageantry

While the time between Christmas and New Year’s is usually one of relaxation, social gatherings with old friends, and simply unwinding, I decided to go the opposite route: trained and competed in the Miss Chicago/Miss Windy City 2019 competition on December 29th.

For those of you who don’t know my background, my involvement with the Miss America Organization began at the age of 17 when I placed first runner up for the state teen title as Miss Northern Suburbs’ Outstanding Teen 2012. After aging up to the Miss division I held the titles of Miss Gold Coast 2016 and Miss Northern Suburbs 2017. All of those were great experiences so I always figured I would keep competing until I age out.

And then 2017/2018 happened. With all the changes in the organization, I was hesitant and apprehensive about competing again. Although I loved the idea of the new changes and competition format, I honestly thought being too used to the old format for the past six years would be a disadvantage in competing.

Well, after competing in the 2.0 formatted local, I can honestly tell you that it was wonderful. Here are my biggest takeaways.

Last month, I completed my reign as Miss Northern Suburbs 2017. It was an exciting year full of growth, opportunities, adventures, friendships, and more. Here’s the farewell that was printed in the pageant program book.

“All our dreams can come true if we have the courage to pursue them.” – Walt Disney

My journey with the Miss America Organization started at the age of 12, when I watched in awe as talented, beautiful, and accomplished women walked across my TV screen as one was eventually crowned Miss America. The next step in my journey was at age 16, when I was lucky enough to be chosen as Miss Northern Suburbs Outstanding Teen and was given the opportunity to connect with youth from all across the state, encouraging them to volunteer in their communities and make healthy choices every day. It was the beginning of my motivation to live out all four points of the crown – scholarship, style, success, and service – to the best of my abilities from then on. Last summer I was incredibly honored to continue my journey in the system by becoming Miss Northern Suburbs 2017. And wow, what an adventure it’s been! From visiting veterans hospitals to emceeing fashion shows to fundraising for Children’s Miracle Network to getting a chance to perform my talent on the Miss Illinois stage to volunteering with Feed My Starving Children and other organizations that I hold close to my heart to meeting the most amazing, selfless, and inspiring people, this year has been nothing short of incredible.

Thank you first and foremost to my hard-working and dedicated directors, Robin & Kristen, and their entire family. The work you put in to this program is mind-blowing and I am forever blessed to be a part of the Northern Suburbs family for the rest of my life. Thank you to my Outstanding Teen Bailee and her family for the support and friendship. Big thank you to the countless volunteers, mock pageant judges, sponsors, photographers, and individuals who have made this past year an absolute dream. Thank you to the entire Miss Illinois sisterhood, each of you have made a huge impact in my life and I cannot thank you enough for the love, laughs, and memories. Thank you to my father for always encouraging me, to my brother Ishan for being my number one fan (hope you’re loving your time living in Barcelona, I miss you!), and to my mother for being my biggest inspiration. A special shout out to my lovely grandma for flying in from India to watch me compete last year, she turns 80 the day of this year’s pageant!

To all the girls competing this weekend: it’s been a pleasure getting to know you all and I am so excited to watch you all shine on stage! Each of you have such unique talents, skills, and ambitions that I cannot wait to see you share with the world. To the new Miss Northern Suburbs 2018 – don’t blink, this year sure flies by! Count your blessings, live your best life on and on stage, and welcome to the sisterhood! I cannot wait to follow your journey. ❤️

Miss Windy City 2019: Competing with the Miss America 2.0 Format

Miss Northern Suburbs 2017 Farewell