Distinguished Young Women

When you look up at a panel of judges who are not smiling

Trying to present yourself to them as best as you can

You feel scared and alone

Worrying and not even knowing completely

Who you are yourself and yet,

You must explain yourself to them

It forces you to choose

Forces you to know who you are, inside and out

So you better do some soul searching

To prepare for this moment

You better know who you are as a person

And where your personal identity lies

But in the same instance, the same time

That you must begin your soul-searching journey

You must also know many things

Like how to answer questions

How to walk in heels

How to be your best self- physically and mentally

You must keep up in school

While also getting 8 hours of sleep

And doing extracurriculars

And spending time with your friends and family

Nobody in the world has that much time

And yet I did it

I learned to walk gracefully in heels

To answer personal and difficult questions

On the fly and on stage in front of a hundred people

I learned how to complete a fitness routine

Without breaking a sweat

And how to deal with life on 4 hours of sleep

I learned how to juggle activities

How to stay up to date in class and homework

I learned about myself

Where my Identity lies and my soul finds joy

Who I was made to become

All because of this one competition