ADPageant

From an outsider perspective, pageants often look a lot like an independent competition. Each contestant strides across the stage one by one, performs their talent solo, answers that tricky question individually and so on.

After speaking with three sisters who have participated in pageants recently, Kyndle, Madison and Courtney,  it became obvious that pageant competitions do not happen in isolation. Rather, each contestant relies heavily on the support of their friends, family and the network of people they've spent months, maybe even years, building.

As our sisters poured their hearts into each of their platforms over these past few months, we were honored to support them however we could; and when it came time to watch, we applauded their strength, talent and fierce independence.

Kyndle had the opportunity this past December to compete in the Miss Apopka Scholarship Pageant. She began competing her freshmen year of high school, and won numerous awards throughout her high school career.

Come her freshmen year of college, Kyndle had decided to take a break from pageant life. Although she had driven herself to compete for years, she wanted to take a step back and just be a college student when she arrived at UCF. She chose to stay involved in may other ways, chairing and competing in dance competitions through ADPi, among other things.

This past fall, Kyndle said she found a support system in her sisters that renewed her desire to compete once again. As part of her pageant preparation she tuned into the news daily, maintained a healthy lifestyle and ran her dance routine time and time again in her mother's living room. We were all thrilled (but not very surprised) when she returned home with the Miss Apopka 2017 title.

Courtney has been competing in pageants since she was only eight years old, but something was different when she competed in Miss UCF just a few weeks ago. She chose to take on a different platform.

Courtney's grandfather passed away this past Thanksgiving break, and when she chose her platform for this competition she kept her grandfather and his military service in mind, electing to support Wreaths Across America. The organization honors departed veterans by marking each of their graves with a traditional wreath, and speaking their name aloud in remembrance each Christmas. They also seek to teach students across America the importance of remembering and honoring our veterans.

As a veteran pageant participant, Courtney was able to relax and enjoy the Miss UCF experience alongside her best friend and ADPi sister, Madison. They both auditioned in September and had to attend practice three times a week for the past four months. Ultimately, she said each of the participants became like family to her.

A passionate dancer, Madison is no stranger to the stage, but when she competed in Miss UCF just a few weeks ago it was her first pageant competition ever, and we couldn't be more proud of her for bringing home the Miss UCF crown. She said she had to start from scratch with everything, from building a resume to picking a platform.

When Madison had to choose a platform, it came naturally. After a health battle one summer that landed her in the hospital for two weeks, what struck her the most was watching her dad sleep in a hospital chair by her side each night. She has always been passionate about Ronald McDonald House Charities, and this competition gave her the opportunity to become even more involved. Through numerous activities she was able to leave a noticeable impact at local RMH houses, and her goal is to continue doing more in the near future.

Madison's passion for dance seems to exude from her very being, so when she chose dance as her talent it was no surprise. Since she ran home to ADPi she has chaired just about every dance competition she possibly could, but this was her first solo dance performance since her senior year of high school. She said she enjoyed tailoring this dance to each of her strengths, and although she puts a little piece of her soul into each dance that she choreographs, this one was incredibly special to her.

While Madison and Courtney took on Miss UCF side by side, we all got to cheer proudly from the sidelines. And as their friendship grew (maybe even to its maximum, as Madison shouted above the crowd, "that's my best friend!" during Courtney's rehearsal performance), our sisterhood grew just a little bit too. Support, even if it's just a kind word or a bear-hug, is what strengthens this sisterhood day by day. Our Pageant Queens are just a little reminder of that, and we can't wait to cheer each of you on at Miss Florida in July!