2008 Woodie Awards
Pageant success leads to changes for student
Zach Groves
Issue date: 8/30/05 Section: Lifestyles
Since winning the Miss Madison County title at the county fair July 23 in Highland, Amanda Dickson has stepped into a whole different world.
Dickson has gone from just going to school and living under a routine schedule to living the hectic life of a pageant winner.
"(The title) has made me very busy," Dickson said. "A lot of appearances, a lot of parades and interviews. I am thinking of going into the Miss Illinois USA pageant."
The Moro native and SIUE sophomore gained the title on her first try in a pageant and only entered the competition with a friend's influence.
"It was the very first time I entered a pageant and I really did not expect it at all," Dickson said. "I just did it because I wanted to try it again next year, so I wanted to get some experience in it and I ended up winning.
"One of my friends was in this one. That is the only reason I started getting into it," she added.
Dickson said she has only performed in front of crowds as a member of her high school's dance team, but felt that made the difference.
According to Dickson, confidence was the key.
"Stage presentation is a large portion of the judging," Dickson said.
Despite the success and attention she is receiving, Dickson is keeping her focus on her studies. An early childhood education major, she hopes to teach someday.
"I want to work within the school district and get a job," Dickson said.
She is also keeping busy on campus working in the Sociology Department.
While many pageants are seen as cutthroat and dramatic, Dickson noted that the competition was anything but rough.
"It wasn't vicious, like you would see in those movies," Dickson said. "We were all friends and we went to Wild Country (together)."
Friends and hobbies have been a small part of her life recently, but Dickson said she works to keep everything balanced, especially in her sorority, Alpha Sigma Tau.
"I try to see my friends once every once in a while," Dickson said. "And I take dance two nights a week."
Dickson admits there is plenty of hard work in peageants, but said, "it's worth it."
"It's a great experience," Dickson said. "It is a lot of work, a lot more than I thought it would be, but it's worth it.
"Every bit of it I have loved so far," Dickson added. "I met the governor (Rod Blagojevich) at the State Fair (in Springfield)."
Dickson will take the next step in the competition when she travels in January to the Crown Plaza Hotel in Springfield for the Miss Illinois County Fair event.
"I would love everybody to come out if they can," Dickson said.
Dickson has gone from just going to school and living under a routine schedule to living the hectic life of a pageant winner.
"(The title) has made me very busy," Dickson said. "A lot of appearances, a lot of parades and interviews. I am thinking of going into the Miss Illinois USA pageant."
The Moro native and SIUE sophomore gained the title on her first try in a pageant and only entered the competition with a friend's influence.
"It was the very first time I entered a pageant and I really did not expect it at all," Dickson said. "I just did it because I wanted to try it again next year, so I wanted to get some experience in it and I ended up winning.
"One of my friends was in this one. That is the only reason I started getting into it," she added.
Dickson said she has only performed in front of crowds as a member of her high school's dance team, but felt that made the difference.
According to Dickson, confidence was the key.
"Stage presentation is a large portion of the judging," Dickson said.
Despite the success and attention she is receiving, Dickson is keeping her focus on her studies. An early childhood education major, she hopes to teach someday.
"I want to work within the school district and get a job," Dickson said.
She is also keeping busy on campus working in the Sociology Department.
While many pageants are seen as cutthroat and dramatic, Dickson noted that the competition was anything but rough.
"It wasn't vicious, like you would see in those movies," Dickson said. "We were all friends and we went to Wild Country (together)."
Friends and hobbies have been a small part of her life recently, but Dickson said she works to keep everything balanced, especially in her sorority, Alpha Sigma Tau.
"I try to see my friends once every once in a while," Dickson said. "And I take dance two nights a week."
Dickson admits there is plenty of hard work in peageants, but said, "it's worth it."
"It's a great experience," Dickson said. "It is a lot of work, a lot more than I thought it would be, but it's worth it.
"Every bit of it I have loved so far," Dickson added. "I met the governor (Rod Blagojevich) at the State Fair (in Springfield)."
Dickson will take the next step in the competition when she travels in January to the Crown Plaza Hotel in Springfield for the Miss Illinois County Fair event.
"I would love everybody to come out if they can," Dickson said.