This article is from 5th issue of OTS E-Magazine Pages  80 - 83

True to Myself

 "Pageantry and Modeling"
Written by Grace Deforde


Grace Deforde far left

My first experience in pageantry was when I was 4 years old.  I made my debut being “true to myself” by yelling, crying and throwing a tantrum throughout most of the pageant.  Luckily my parents decided that pageants might not be for me or at least not until I was a little older.  My next pageant was not until I was eleven and I was much better.  I didn’t win the overall title but the experience instilled a drive in me that I still maintain today.  I saw girls that acted one way behind the scenes and another in front of the judges and crowd.  That was not going to be me.  I still remember; what my interview judges at the Cities Across America Pageant told me after the winner was crowned.  They said that even though I didn’t win I did have the highest interview score and on stage question score.  I was somewhat shocked but they said it was because I was natural.  I didn’t give the rehearsed pageant answers.  I had spoken from the heart and gave 12-year-old answers in a 12 year olds language.  That meant the world to me.   I have continued doing pageants and with each pageant I have learned more and more about myself.  I have also made it somewhat my personal challenge to prove that down to earth tomboy type girls that wear braces and glasses can be beauty queens.  In 2007 I won the title of Teen Texas United Nations.  I had finally started to prove my point but it didn’t end there.  I saw that bigger crown and shinier sash and decided I wanted it.  In 2008 I was crowned Teen US United Nation and finally 2008 Teen United Nation International.  It took a lot of hard work and determination to reach my goal but at no time did I put my personal ethics on the line.  I had proven that you don’t have to be something your not in order to be a winner.


Photographer Fred McLean OTS 1829
 

The pageant experience also brought modeling into my life.  My first photo shoot was in San Antonio with a group of photographers doing a TFP shoot for then San Antonio Talent.  Those guys were wonderful as was Sandy who headed up the Pageant network.  I have had the pleasure and honor of working with many wonderful and talented photographers over the years and I would recommend any of them to shoot with.  They have taught me so much during my photo shoots and I hope to be able to continue to work with them for a long time.


Photographer Robin Binder OTS 6065

In an industry such as acting and modeling it does become necessary to act or look certain ways because of what the client is looking for.  That does not mean however that you have to put your morals and ethics on the line.  If you stand up for yourself and be true to yourself you will go much further and be able to be proud of yourself along the way.  This will also carry itself over into your daily life.  This past summer I moved to Wyoming to go to college and the experience has taught me so much.  I went through the process to become a member of one of the campus sororities but in the end decided it was not for me.  During the process the current members started trying to tell me who I could be friends with, places that I was allowed or not allowed to go to, and how I was expected to act.  They wanted me to be something I was not.  I proudly turned my sorority pin back in and stood up for who I was on the inside.  I was going to continue to be “True To Myself”.


Photographer Heinz Wiedemann