Who would have thought waiting in a long buffet line would eventually pave the way to being crowned Mrs. Alaska America 2010?
Hi. My name is Tracy Zadra and I am your reigning Mrs. Alaska 2010. I was proudly given this incredible honor of representing the married women of Alaska on May 15th at the Wendy Williamson Auditorium in Anchorage, Alaska. Wearing a crown was never in my sights...but it was the power of persuasion from one particular beauty queen who changed my life forever.
Hi. My name is Tracy Zadra and I am your reigning Mrs. Alaska 2010. I was proudly given this incredible honor of representing the married women of Alaska on May 15th at the Wendy Williamson Auditorium in Anchorage, Alaska. Wearing a crown was never in my sights...but it was the power of persuasion from one particular beauty queen who changed my life forever.
I am a full-time stay-at-home mom. I have two beautiful, active boys, Cooper age 4 and Logan, age 2. My husband is the sole financial guru for our family. He works incredibly hard to make sure one of us can stay home and raise our kids. My world revolves around my boys (husband included) and often times, that means attending to my own needs, are put on hold.
My husband works for the tourism industry and was invited to a Mat-Su Convention and Visitors Wine Tasting/Auction event in Wasilla, Alaska last April. I, of course jumped at the chance to get out of the house and have a night on the town with my husband. I blew the dust off my hottest cocktail dress, added some color to my face, twisted up my hair, grabbed my heels...and BOOM...I was ready for adventure.
We arrived at the event glowing because we hardly ever have any date nights. My cheeks were hurting because I was so happy to be amongst adults for a change. As my husband and I were standing in the buffet line, a bright smile and shimmery crown caught my attention. This captivating vision was moving toward me. Me? The beautifully polished woman kindly asked me if I was married? Married? That's what you are asking me I thought to myself. My fast and sensible intuition immediately recognised the question as being hit on. How bold of this woman to hit on me I thought. "Uh...yes..." I replied and quickly introduced my husband to her. She immediately created this dazzling smile that lit up her entire face and asked if I have ever been in a pageant before. What a weird follow up question I thought. I immediately replied no. She continued to tell me of the Mrs. Alaska America pageant and thought I would really enjoy being a part of the magic. Magic? Pageant? As the buffet line began to move, she handed me a brochure and told me she would come talk to me later during the event. Before she left, she introduced herself. Her name is Kim Huitt...Mrs. Alaska 2008.
Flattery immediately took over. I was really flattered that she would think of me as pageant material, but still a little wary of the whole encounter. I kept thinking...me? A beauty queen? No way. Later that evening, Kim and I sat for a long time discussing the Mrs. Alaska pageant and what it entails. I enjoyed this friendly conversation and immediately thought how cool this woman is and how incredibly easy it was to talk to her. I liked her...but I was still not sold on entering.
It was that night that curiosity took over me. I looked up the web page for the Mrs. Alaska America pageant and felt like I was in a whole other world. From my daily life of kids and cleaning to seeing these impeccably dressed ladies smiling and having the time of their life on stage intrigued me. I called Kim several times and bombarded her with questions. A week later, I filled out an application to compete for the 2009 coveted title. I had four months to prepare...
My whole world changed when I met my fellow competitors. My preconceptions of pageantry women were blown out of the water. There were no cat fights, no accidental spoiling of anothers evening gown, no pre-madonna attitudes....these were 24 amazing, quality Alaskan women each with an incredible story of why they entered. The camaraderie, the laughter, and the downright FUN..was intoxicating. I truly felt this is where I belong... comfortable amongst friends, feeling great about myself and finally...taking care of me!
On July 18th, 2009 at 7pm at the Bartlett High School Auditorium...I danced across the stage with a new sense of pride and pure joy in myself. I felt great. I felt alive. I felt incredibly lucky to have been discovered in a buffet line!
The evening played out beautifully and we all put on a great show. It wasn't until the very end of the pageant, in which all of us girls were lined across the stage that I realized this was a competition. I was having so much fun that I really didn't care if I took home any awards. These were my new friends and my new beginning of personal growth and discovery.
When my name was called for Contestants Choice, I immediately teared up. These wonderful women chose me to win? Wow...what an incredible and humbling award.
A few minutes later, name was called once again for Best Interview award. Whoa...I wasn't expecting that one. I didn't realize I could positively impact my personality and opinions upon a panel of judges with in such a short period of time. A personal boost and inner pride swelled up from this award.
As the top five were announced, my name was called as the First Runner Up! No way! I made the court? Millions of things were going through my head. Could this really be happening? I was in awe...
My husband works for the tourism industry and was invited to a Mat-Su Convention and Visitors Wine Tasting/Auction event in Wasilla, Alaska last April. I, of course jumped at the chance to get out of the house and have a night on the town with my husband. I blew the dust off my hottest cocktail dress, added some color to my face, twisted up my hair, grabbed my heels...and BOOM...I was ready for adventure.
We arrived at the event glowing because we hardly ever have any date nights. My cheeks were hurting because I was so happy to be amongst adults for a change. As my husband and I were standing in the buffet line, a bright smile and shimmery crown caught my attention. This captivating vision was moving toward me. Me? The beautifully polished woman kindly asked me if I was married? Married? That's what you are asking me I thought to myself. My fast and sensible intuition immediately recognised the question as being hit on. How bold of this woman to hit on me I thought. "Uh...yes..." I replied and quickly introduced my husband to her. She immediately created this dazzling smile that lit up her entire face and asked if I have ever been in a pageant before. What a weird follow up question I thought. I immediately replied no. She continued to tell me of the Mrs. Alaska America pageant and thought I would really enjoy being a part of the magic. Magic? Pageant? As the buffet line began to move, she handed me a brochure and told me she would come talk to me later during the event. Before she left, she introduced herself. Her name is Kim Huitt...Mrs. Alaska 2008.
Flattery immediately took over. I was really flattered that she would think of me as pageant material, but still a little wary of the whole encounter. I kept thinking...me? A beauty queen? No way. Later that evening, Kim and I sat for a long time discussing the Mrs. Alaska pageant and what it entails. I enjoyed this friendly conversation and immediately thought how cool this woman is and how incredibly easy it was to talk to her. I liked her...but I was still not sold on entering.
It was that night that curiosity took over me. I looked up the web page for the Mrs. Alaska America pageant and felt like I was in a whole other world. From my daily life of kids and cleaning to seeing these impeccably dressed ladies smiling and having the time of their life on stage intrigued me. I called Kim several times and bombarded her with questions. A week later, I filled out an application to compete for the 2009 coveted title. I had four months to prepare...
My whole world changed when I met my fellow competitors. My preconceptions of pageantry women were blown out of the water. There were no cat fights, no accidental spoiling of anothers evening gown, no pre-madonna attitudes....these were 24 amazing, quality Alaskan women each with an incredible story of why they entered. The camaraderie, the laughter, and the downright FUN..was intoxicating. I truly felt this is where I belong... comfortable amongst friends, feeling great about myself and finally...taking care of me!
On July 18th, 2009 at 7pm at the Bartlett High School Auditorium...I danced across the stage with a new sense of pride and pure joy in myself. I felt great. I felt alive. I felt incredibly lucky to have been discovered in a buffet line!
The evening played out beautifully and we all put on a great show. It wasn't until the very end of the pageant, in which all of us girls were lined across the stage that I realized this was a competition. I was having so much fun that I really didn't care if I took home any awards. These were my new friends and my new beginning of personal growth and discovery.
When my name was called for Contestants Choice, I immediately teared up. These wonderful women chose me to win? Wow...what an incredible and humbling award.
A few minutes later, name was called once again for Best Interview award. Whoa...I wasn't expecting that one. I didn't realize I could positively impact my personality and opinions upon a panel of judges with in such a short period of time. A personal boost and inner pride swelled up from this award.
As the top five were announced, my name was called as the First Runner Up! No way! I made the court? Millions of things were going through my head. Could this really be happening? I was in awe...
When Ericka Bennetts name was called as the new 2009 Mrs. Alaska America...I was so excited for her. I knew the judges chose the right girl. And, it was at that very moment of her crowning in which I believed in the magic of the Mrs. Alaska America pageant system. This pageant isn't about the perfect body, the most beautiful face or about youth...it's truly about a woman's inner beauty, confidence and honest personality that makes you a winner. And Ericka had it all going on that night!
I am truly honored to have stood beside Ericka that night and completely thrilled that SHE was the one who crowned me the following the year. My pageant experience has been one that will continue to bless my life and hopefully inspire others to become apart of something so personally rewarding and most importanly, priceless.
Thank you again to Mrs. Alaska 2008 Kim Huitt for seeking me out and encouraging me to apply. You may not realize the valuable impact you played as to where I am today. Thank you for "hitting on me" in the buffet line ;-).
I am truly honored to have stood beside Ericka that night and completely thrilled that SHE was the one who crowned me the following the year. My pageant experience has been one that will continue to bless my life and hopefully inspire others to become apart of something so personally rewarding and most importanly, priceless.
Thank you again to Mrs. Alaska 2008 Kim Huitt for seeking me out and encouraging me to apply. You may not realize the valuable impact you played as to where I am today. Thank you for "hitting on me" in the buffet line ;-).
This was so fun to read, Tracy! I especially liked "How bold of this woman to hit on me"
ReplyDeleteI love how you express the true beauty of this pageant. It truly can be life changing. Hugs to you - You radiant "Nerd Queen" you :) So proud that you are our Mrs. Alaska
ReplyDelete