"What I Learned from Being Miss Congeniality" by Kristina Tubera

My name is Kristina Tubera and I am currently a Senior MIS major in the McCombs School of Business at UT and part of Alpha Xi Delta’s Spring ’17 class! I started competing in pageants at the age of 16 because I love the glitz and the glamour of wearing a crown and sash, but also I love the rewarding learning experiences I have taken away from being a contestant for so many years.

Despite what many people think, pageants go beyond that glitz and glamour. I love the scholarship, leadership, and self- empowerment that pageants provide. Pageants are about strong, independent women who are not afraid to go for their dreams and pursue higher education while living to the best of their ability mentally, physically, morally, and spiritually.

The life lessons I have learned from pageantry are similar to the values that Alpha Xi Delta instills in each of its members. Both emphasize being your best self and stress the importance of being there for your friends when they need you. Even when I am at competitions with my pageant sisters, I know that I have more than 150 sorority sisters rooting for me and supporting me back home. Both my sorority sisters and my pageant sisters have shown and taught me so much about love, friendship, and self-empowerment. I know I’ve made lifelong friends through my experiences in pageants as well as in Alpha Xi.

I may not always walk away with a crown or execute my classical piano talent piece flawlessly, but both pageants and Alpha Xi have taught and encouraged me to continue to go for my dreams with my true friends by my side.

See you soon on the Miss Texas stage ;)

Xoxo,