Teenage Competitions

I must disclose that I did not get prior approval from Jennifer for the creation of this article; however, I am asserting my parental rights in doing so. Lauren is living with me temporarily and I am having some fun sharing information she did not know about her mom. I believe as the years go by; each generation knows less about their parents due to time spent on digital devices. This story is about Jennifer from 1986 (age 16) when she found the courage to enter The Miss Texas Teenage Competition.

Jennifer always had friends at school, at church, and in the neighborhood, but was shy in large groups of people she did not know. She had a beautiful voice and enjoyed singing in the choir at school and at church with the youth. As a natural redhead, she was slightly different from most girls, but her beauty was visual and within. I am not sure how the effort got started, but at some point, I was made aware that funds had to be raised for the competition and that I would have some assigned tasks like taking a lot of pictures and some had to be in black and white and others in color. In 1986, there were no smartphones with built-in cameras, and with roll film, you had to shoot the entire roll before you could change to special black-and-white film and vice versa.

These competitions are not “one-and-done” efforts. There are meetings and multiple phases along with needing more sponsorships. I only knew about those where I was involved. Eva wanted Jennifer to have an opportunity that she never had to develop her confidence in sharing her talents at an early age. Their efforts together helped them build a bond that would stay with them for the rest of Eva’s life. I think most parents will agree that increasing the bond you have with a teenager is not for the faint of heart. Singing was a gift that Eva and Jennifer shared while Tammy and I enjoyed a gift of drawing.

The week of competition finally came when Jennifer competed in the Miss East Texas National Teenager Competition held at Sam Houston State. There she met teenage girls from various parts of that part of Texas along with adults who were involved with the organization and sponsors from around the country. That was Jennifer’s first time staying in a college dorm and with girls that she did not know. One of the other girls in the competition was a neighbor from our first home nine years back. For Jennifer, this was her first and only competition while for some other girls, it might be their second, third, or even fourth time in the competition.

I remember the night of the final part of the competition that involved the talent part, Eva and I were excited and proud to be there. The song that Jennifer chose to sing was “It’s Not Just a Story”. She sang it from her heart. The lyrics are listed below. I also remember feeling happy but a bit nervous when I walked her on stage for the evening gown competition. I did not want to mess up and distract her.

No, she did not win that competition and go on to the next level, but she came away as a winner for having experienced the effort to work toward a goal and put yourself out there. To fight through the fear of failing or doing something embarrassing. Confidence only comes from trails of new things that stretch your abilities. Her experience helped her encourage the kids she taught in class to believe in themselves when they question their abilities.

Now with more than thirty years of teaching, having raised three daughters, and playing a major role in raising a grandchild; Jennifer would probably not rank this experience in the top events of her life. However, it is part of our lives that her daughters should know to get a peek into her early years. None of us skipped over being young once.

It’s Not Just a Story

I heard a story of Jesus
sounded like music in my ears
Beautiful story of Jesus, dispelled my doubts and all my fears
How marvelous is His love
brought to me from above
Oo it’s not just a story but reality
Beautiful story of Jesus
this world is longing to know
Wonderful story of Jesus
I’ll take it wherever I go
Tell of His love for this world
to save every man, woman boy and girl
Oo it’s not just a story, Oo it’s not just a story
Oo that plain and simple story became real to me