Having a voice in the world means a lot to some people, whereas others prefer to sit back and watch others do their thing. The road to getting into the spotlight can be bumpy, filled with numerous obstacles and it often takes hard work.

Sophomore Hannah Phillips decided to undertake the challenge of getting in the spotlight — someone with a voice to be heard — but with a flourish and a pair of heels.

“I got a flyer in the mail for the Miss Teen Kansas USA pageant,” Phillips said. “My mom and I thought ‘hey this would be a really good way to make a positive impact to people and get out there’”

Phillips had never been in a pageant before, and she handled it with class and a positive attitude. Often, pageants are depicted as very off-putting and competitive, simply as outlets for girls to show off

pretty faces. However, Phillips had only two goals in this competition: to win and give.

“It [would have given] me a way to help others, being just a citizen of Kansas, I really don’t have a platform for it. But with a title like this, it [would have been] a lot easier to directly help people,” Phillips said.

Often, pageants are depicted as very off-putting and competitive, simply as outlets for girls to show off

pretty faces. However, Phillips had only two goals in this competition: to win and give.

The winner of the the pageant was not given just a pretty jeweled headpiece and a sash; she was granted the opportunity to make monthly appearances, shortly after signing an official contract and posing for the official photoshoot following the Miss Teen Kansas USA protocol.

“Winning the title [would have been] an honor. I would [have made] monthly appearances. I would have to travel, and I would hope to do something with Children’s Mercy Hospital,” Phillips said. “I [wanted] to visit them, give them some hope and be someone they look up to.”

Phillips confessed that the only thing about being in the pageant that she fears is negativity.

“I know pageants are portrayed in a negative manner in movies/TV shows, and I don’t think it [would] really be like that, but there is a little bit of doubt in it,” Phillips said.

To those who view pageants as a silly event for girls, Phillips is confident in showing them otherwise.

“It’s a character-building exercise that develops your public speaking skills, and I will continue to try and make a positive influence through my community,” Phillips said.

Phillips faced a few bumps on her journey. Her mom and biggest supporter, Julie Goff Jenkins, were unable to make it, as she was hospitalized from a partially collapsed lung.

“The hardest part [from the whole event] was not getting to be with her in the hospital, we weren’t allowed to leave the hotel.” Phillips said.

But thankfully, the director of the event allowed her to visit her mom for a few hours on the final day. Phillips kept a cool head, and in the end was given an honorary mention, which is in her translation “like making the semi finals” out of 30 other girls from all over the state of Kansas, although she may not have won the crown she made her family and friends proud.