Issue link: http://www.epageflip.net/i/959400
DOGWOOD FFESTIVAL 2018 • 21 Junkin on 412 APRIL 27-29, 2018 1st Annual HOURS: 10-5 DAILY • 4985 HWY 412, SILOAM SPRINGS, AR FMI: CALL KARI @479-238-3033 OR MISTY @ 479-427-1499 Sponsored By: Sassafras, Thunderbird Ranch & Runaway June Boutique B By Dave Woods NWA Democrat-Gazette T here are a couple of common misconceptions Mikaila Calcagni wants to dispel about the Miss Dogwood Pageant, the Miss Dogwood Outstanding Teen Pageant and the Miss Arkansas Pageant. In fact, all pageants that fall under the Miss America organization. "Most people don't know that the Miss America organization is the largest provider of college and university scholarships to young women in the entire world," the 26-year-old Executive Director of the Miss Dogwood Pageant said. "Arkansas gives more scholarships than any other state." The scholarships provided through competing in the preliminaries to the Miss Arkansas Pageant, provide the contestants with much needed tuition assistance and can change a girl or young woman's life. "When people are watching Miss America they don't realize that these young women are our future leaders; our doctors, lawyers, political leaders and business leaders," she added. "I started it as a Junior in college as a way to get scholarship funds. I always knew I wanted to go to medical school. I ended up competing in Miss Arkansas three separate times. I earned more than $10,000 in scholarships. After competing in the organization, I decided these are the kind of women that I would want to mentor my future daughter and the types of role models young women need." The Miss Dogwood Pageant started in the early '90s, Mikaila explained, and it's an official preliminary to Miss Arkansas. It took a few years of hiatus where there was not a Miss Dogwood. Mikaila decided to get involved. "I was excited to bring it back in 2017," she said. Mikaila makes no bones about it: She believes in the pageant, the process and the benefits it holds for girls and young women. "When people come to the pageant they are going to see 30 beautiful young women and girls," she said. "You are going to see the future of Arkansas right on that stage. These girls go through an interview process, physical fitness and then they go through a presence and poise competition and evening gown. You are going to see what these women have perfected on the stage. You are going to see confidence and poise and intelligence in these contestants." Mikaila said one particular question often arises during media interviews: "We always get asked the question, 'What would you tell a girl who might want to compete in a pageant?' You can ask any girl on that stage and they will tell you to do it. You might be a little nervous at first, but step outside yourself and do it." She has some direct and heart- felt advice for those interested in starting down a path to becoming Miss Dogwood or Miss Dogwood Outstanding Teen. "Put away any stereotypes of pageant girls," she added, with passion in her voice. "Give yourself and heart to the process. You will be surprised what you will learn. I could have never gone into my medical school interview as prepared as I was without the Miss America organization. I would never have known how to build a resume if it wasn't for this organization. Just open up your heart to the process." 'Put away any stereot es' Executive Director of Miss Dogwood Pageant chimes in on importance of organization to girls, young women