Pieces of the Puzzle: Miss America Orientation
I quickly grab my mahogany crown box off the kitchen table, and make a beeline for the door. In a flurry, the latch of the box breaks. My crown topples to the ground and the once secure crystals pop out of place like silver confetti. I look down in horror as the small round gems and statement teardrop rhinestones that form my Miss Idaho crown lie scattered at my feet. Scooping up the pieces from the floor, I realize that my once perfect accessory is missing two points and multiple gems varying in size. However, I had no time to mourn the current state of my crown as I was running late for the Miss America’s Outstanding Teen Finals night. Hoping my 6-ft. height would ensure that no one could notice the gaping holes in my crown, I scurry out the door.
Although my crown clearly did not survive Orlando, I spent a fulfilling week at Miss America Orientation enriched with new friendships and an eye-opening understanding of the direction for Miss America 2.0. During the first day of orientation, Cara Mund, Miss America 2018, spoke to
the group of 51 representatives. One of the most memorable things Cara said was that Miss America does not fit one mold. Every Miss America brings something different to the title. There is no need to let the title change you, instead, change the title.
Reflecting on orientation week, I don’t think Cara could have said it any better. There is no singular mold required to fit the Miss America crown. Small round stones, large spheres, and distinguished teardrops all combine to form the coveted crown. Missing even one small gem, the
crown would not be complete. Every piece plays a part in a large puzzle, and regardless of size or placement, each piece is of equal importance. Looking at the loose stones absent from my crown, I see that every person can embody Miss America.
As I attempt to superglue the rhinestones back together, it is incredibly clear that my Miss Idaho crown is comprised of nearly 500 unique stones, none of which can be substituted for the other. Heading to Miss America, I can never attempt to conform into something that is not me. Each of us is our own version of Miss America, living our own versions of service, style, scholarship, and success.
Thankfully, my Miss Idaho crown will make a full recovery, but I do not regret its unfortunate (and untimely) downfall. Destruction creates an opportunity for the new. In this situation, the “new” was an idea, the realization that regardless of size, shape, or extrinsic sparkle, every person is capable of growing and creating their own destiny. A path is not paved in a day. Every mile is curated with time, experience, and care. Your path can lead in any direction, but if the pieces crumble, fear not: pick them up, and remember anything can be fixed with a little effort and superglue.
On Being a Potato
To be honest, potatoes are not my favorite vegetable, a fact that repeatedly shocks curious Idahoans considering I represent the state with the largest potato production in the United States. While, yes, I will gladly devour a steaming plate of sweet potato fries, the thought of biting in to the starchy interior of a plain, undressed potato makes my taste buds tremble back in to the far corners of my culinary tongue. However, on a recent trip to the Idaho Potato Commission, I realized that I do not need to enjoy potatoes in their organic state to appreciate them. In fact, after speaking with Frank Muir, the Idaho Potato Commission’s President and CEO, I have come to terms with potatoes being the underrated vegetable needing to be on everyone’s radar.
Not only are potatoes one of the most allergy friendly foods, they are also the world’s fourth food staple- facts that are often overlooked when browsing grocery stores or restaurant menus. Potatoes have also reached new heights and were the very first vegetable grown in space. While they get a bad rep for being fatty and unhealthy, an 8-ounce baked potato only contains about 100 calories. Simply put, there is more to a spud than meets the eye.
In fact, we should all aspire to be a little bit like the potato. While potatoes have an unassuming exterior, their insides contain a smooth center that can transform into fluffy mashed potatoes or crispy French fries. Potatoes are both an indulgent treat and a nutrient-packed source of potassium as well as other essential ingredients. The pickiest of eaters and ficklest of palates can all enjoy a potato in one of its thousand forms. Malleable. Reliable. Beneficial. An Idaho Potato.
Furthermore, it’s no wonder our state produces the most of a crop which resembles who we are as Idahoans. Mashed, fried, baked, or steamed, Idaho potatoes come in many forms, and Idahoans come from all walks of life. Yet, we all call Idaho our home. Community is built on
care, but its foundation thrives on acceptance. Of all the states and countries I have traveled, no community can compare to the unity, like-minded values, and heart present in every corner of our state. The same soil that grows our famous crop also fosters and cares for our people. The next time you think of a potato, don’t just think of dinner or argue whether a potato is a fruit or vegetable. Think of Idaho, think of Idahome. After all, it is who we are.
Nina's Miss America Milestones
Miss America Milestones
My Miss Idaho experience has had its fair share of obstacles, yet at the same time it has also been filled with many memorable milestones. Some milestones are significant like placing in the Top 5 at Miss Idaho or perfecting my talent piece. Others, like the slow intrinsic evolution marking the person I have now become, are more subtle. These are the milestones that have defined my life.
When I started competing in the Miss Idaho Organization my senior year of high school, I was blindly ambitious and only loved what I assumed would make me successful. Now, I see with purpose. This clarity instilled in me over the last four years has made me a kinder friend, a more passionate scholar, a devout servant to my community, and ultimately, a more authentic version of myself.
Each year competing at Miss Idaho, I gained something different. My first year as Miss Nampa, I found confidence. Growing up with eczema, I always hated the skin I was in. Walking on stage in a swimsuit changed everything for me. It forced me to embrace the flaws I tried so hard to conceal as a teen, but most of all, it altered my lifestyle.
I was always a runner, but every mile I ran left me further out of tune with my body. I would use my 6ft height as an excuse for not being able to touch my toes. Now, after three years of stretching and strength-based exercises, I can do the splits. Most of all, my outlook on fitness has evolved. Working out is not punishing your body for what you ate, rather it is celebrating your body for what it can do. My year as Miss Nampa left me healthier, happier, and more confident.
My second year competing as Miss Treasure Valley was a test of endurance and personal strength. Being an out-of-state college student miles away from home took a toll on my mental health. Yet while faced with uncertainty and anxiety, I found a crutch through the Miss Idaho Organization. In my third year competing as Miss Pocatello, I finally realized being Miss Idaho goes beyond the State competition. Simply put, being a local titleholder prepared me for the job of being Miss Idaho.
Looking back, though being a local titleholder did not prepare me for 4am wake up calls or hours of traveling in a car, it did prepare me to be the kind of person who is excited to wake up before the sun does and spend hours driving to an appearance knowing that I am making an impact. By being a local titleholder or Miss Idaho, I know I may not be able to change the world, but I can change someone’s world just like this organization has changed my own. I no longer look at service as a task I must complete. Rather, it is an opportunity I want to experience, an opportunity to share joy, hope, creativity, and strength.
This entire chapter of my life can be summed up as one incredible life changing experience. I started to compete because I liked winning, and pageants were the jet fuel to my competitive engine. Over time, winning meant more than just receiving awards or recognition for I found true success in the form of self-betterment. Every local competition I entered, every local title I lost, and every friendship I formed at Miss Idaho made me more successful. While I did not “win” every moment in my Miss Idaho experience, I won the battle that matters most: the battle within. Today I can say that I am compassionate, confident, thoughtful, determined, and resilient. Four years ago, I was none of those things. Four years from now, I know I will be all those qualities and more. I know I will be my best self, and I owe it all to the Miss America Organization.
Potato Harvest
Potatoes. God bless ‘em. I cannot actually remember a time in my life where I did not know what a potato was. Can you? I love potatoes. I was joking with some gals this week that I do not discriminate – spuds, red potatoes, purple potatoes, sweet potatoes, fried, mashed, au gratin…I like them all!
As we think of the things that make Idaho great, potatoes can easily top the list. With the perfect soil and climate (and so many other science pieces I’ve recently learned), Idaho is the ideal place to grow potatoes. I had never heard of potato harvest until a fellow titleholder at Miss Idaho this past year told me about it. As I began to represent this great state I realized I absolutely had to be a part of it all this year!
On Monday, October 9th I got to visit Reynolds farm in Ashton, Idaho. Melanie and Brett Reynolds were so gracious to let me (a perfect stranger who they just knew was Miss Idaho!) come hangout and witness a day of their two week harvest. When I got there the first thing they took me to was to see the cellars. These are big buildings built partially underground to keep the potatoes fresh and safe until they are sent out. The Reynolds plant seed potatoes or “first generation” potatoes. These are sold to other farmers to be replanted during the next season! The cellars regulate the temperature, humidity and other environmental factors. When they are full they are the size of a football field and filled 18 feet deep – that is a lot of potatoes. I’ve attached a picture below of me standing on the top of one of full cellar piles. It was amazing!
After seeing a full cellar, I got to go be a part of loading another one. Big machinery with large belts are used to transport the potatoes from the truck, sort the dirt off of them and then pile them into the cellar. One job I got to be a part of was grabbing out any extra clumps of dirt and “non-potato items” as they passed by before storage. Everyone there working was warm and welcoming – like a big family. Many of the workers come back to help every year and include some local Ashton youth! Even the older two Reynolds kids, Brooke and Tucker, were out helping. I loved that! It made things fun and eventful. Never a dull moment!
Next I hopped in the big potato truck and headed to the field with Melanie. The Reynolds grow over 1,300 acres of potatoes, and we were finishing the last 150 acres while I was there. When we arrived at the field Melanie aligned her truck bed with the tractor. The tractor pulled a combine that would scoop 12 rows of potatoes up at once and dump them into the truck. The process is so fast! I rode on the back of the tractor at one point to watch the whole thing. Could you imagine the days before any farm equipment?
There were so many pieces to the process. As someone who had never seen it before, I was truly mind blown. Like many experiences as Miss Idaho, it made me love and appreciate this great state even more. The day was filled with wonderful people working hard doing what they love with the people the love. That sure does sound like the dream to me. Thank you to all of our Idaho potato farmers! I am so grateful for the work you do to help Idaho shine. I can’t wait for potato harvest next year!
Dream Bigger
“What would you do if you knew you could not fail? “ I love that question. Do you know how you would answer it? I am a pretty logical thinker, so when I first heard this question it flip-flopped my entire thought process. Logic was forced to take a seat, and my mind was allowed to dream.
You are capable of incredible things. Do you know that? You were born with a one-of- a-kind personality and the gifts and talents to match. You were placed exactly where you were meant to be. You were created on purpose and for a purpose. Often we tend to stick ourselves in a box. One that seems safe and doable. You, my friend, were made for so much more than doable. You were made for the impossible. You were put on this plant to exceed expectations – to discover, share and design.
If we stick to what is logical we’ll miss out. I’m a tomboy at heart. I love wearing denim and boots and prefer to be outside. I have a naturally competitive spirit and I am thankful to be a more of a tough cookie. When I decided to do pageants I was told I “walked like a boy” and I had no idea that there was a certain way to “do your makeup”. I’m sharing this because I did not logically appear to be someone who would get to grace the Miss America stage someday. Over my three
years of competing there were a lot of people who told me I couldn’t, shouldn’t and wouldn’t. I am so glad I did not listen to them!
Step outside of your box. Dream bigger! I always know I am moving in the right direction when a dream gives me those big deer in the headlights look. You know the ones where you are thinking, “How in the world am I ever going to pull that off?” Do it. Chase after it. Dreams move with us. They grow and evolve just as our hearts do. You are capable of incredible things. Focus, work hard, and as I like to say…brush off the haters. You can do this!
Lots of love,
Miss Idaho 2017
Taylor Lance