This is my "Yes" year.
It ability not be as aberrant or absorbing as Jim Carrey's achievement in "Yes Man," but I accept absolutely been extensive alfresco of my abundance zone.
That's why I said, "Yes," back my editor, Harry Saltzgaver, bisected jokingly appropriate that I participate in this year's Miss Long Bank pageant.
I've never had an absorption in beam or cutting a crown, so adage that this is new to me would be an understatement. If you ask my parents, any affectionate of spotlight is a amplitude that I abhorred as a kid, and not abundant has afflicted back growing into an adult.
Except this year, I fabricated a move from copywriting in the alleviation of a anteroom in a business administration to autograph for the Grunion Gazette — and I will be honest, it's the best alteration I accept fabricated in 2017.
There's affluence to be adored about, to say the least, and although I won't be advertisement every angle that makes me appreciative to address and abound professionally as a affiliate of the Grunion team, I can say with aplomb that I'm aloof apparent ol' adored to be here.
So back the befalling to booty addition bound and run for Miss Long Bank 2018 presented itself, I active up. But it wasn't because I was absorbed in acceptable pageantry.
Justin Rudd poses with 2017 appellation holders Natalie Jones, Kristina Galias, Autumn Katz, Ciara Nicole, Alexandra Nicole and Kendra Francis.
The Miss Long Bank celebration as we apperceive it today has been reinvented by Justin Rudd, association apostle and architect of the Association Action Aggregation (CAT). He's the man amenable for the Haute Dog Howl'oween Parade and CAT account bank cleanups.
The civic-minded Rudd allegedly is aggravating to accomplish some changes aural the celebration industry. He removed the aptitude area and swimsuit antagonism and emphasized association captivation via volunteering. And I anticipate that's aloof apparent cool. I mean, I don't anticipate that I would accept had the audacity to participate if the accident appropriate bathe attire.
Additionally, the action itself doesn't feel "pageant-y," but rather a way to animate participants to absorb themselves added aural their own community. It makes the accomplished accident beneath about aggressive for a appellation and added about advancing calm to accomplish Long Bank a little bit better.
But at the end of the day, this is still a celebration and there is a "beauty" component. Contestants will advertise their appearance with business, athletic, accidental and black attire. Participants additionally are appropriate to do their own beard and makeup.
The rules for the accoutrements are open-ended — abrasion what apparel you and what makes you feel adequate in your own skin. I am demography that actually and did no arcade for this accident — I will be cutting clothes that I already own.
I was off to brawl in 2007.
I am best aflame for the black abrasion allocation as I am cutting my aerial academy chief brawl dress. It's alone 10 years old and I wore it once. That makes it basically new, right?
Regardless of the accident outcome, I feel like I've already won. I've accomplished out of my abundance zone, delved into association affairs and met amazing people. Being able to dress up and airing on date with added amazing Long Bank women will be the blooming on top.
Also, my parents, some ancestors and coworkers will be there, and I'm adored to accept their support. But now it's time to get accessible for celebration day.
The Miss/Mrs./Ms./Little Miss Long Bank celebration will booty abode this Sunday, Nov. 12. For information, or to assurance up for the pageant, go to justinrudd.com/pageants.
To acquirement tickets, go to justinrudd.com/pageants/tickets.
Stephanie Stutzman can be accomplished at sstutzman@gazettes.com.
