Previously: The group would be trimmed to fifteen contestants, come morning.
Sienna hoped she would at least be one of fifteen. That would be a moral victory for a first-time contestant.

There would be a group song and choreographed presentation, with the contestants once again in lovely gowns. Then they were in their positions with the full group. Michelle began to call the names of the fifteen beauty girls, “When I call your name, come and stand on one of the fifteen stars.

“Now for the fifteen contestants advancing into today’s competition:” The first name announced was Silvia Oakland.” There were eight others announced before the Haynes family heard Sienna’s name and properly applauded and cheered.

The audience could celebrate, but no one was to become vocal and call out names. It did happen twice, but the Haynes were part of either group.

There was a song and a parade for the audience to show appreciation. Those contestants were eligible to be selected for Miss Congeniality.

The fifteen were asked to walk the runway and show who they were. Once back in, they would be excused to go change and prepare for their interview during the intermission.

The fifteen were excused backstage to find their changing area. Mom and Amy were already there to help Sienna change into her dress. It was the short blue dress that she and Amy had selected during one of their shopping trips. Amy was also setting up a vanity for a change of makeup and hairstyle. Tiffany and her mother were both backstage helping today. Tiffany swallowed hard when Sienna came out in her dress. The dress was shorter than Tiffany had expected. “Oh my, Sienna! I hadn’t remembered the dress was this short. There will be boys out in the audience waiting for you to parade down the runway.”

It caused Sienna a small scare, until her Mom said, “You remember we talked about that. You make a very beautiful young tee.” Amy held up a mirror for Sienna to see herself and regain her composure. She sat at the vanity and with Amy and Mrs. Hayes doing her makeup and hair. Amy used a blush that caused her cheeks to shimmer, and with that, there was a sparkle to her eyes as Sienna was delighted with the effect. The eyeliner was narrow, but it caused her eyes to stand out. Mrs. Hayes brought more curves to the hairstyle.

Sienna commented, “Are you two going to be around to glamour me up for a country club night out?”

Tiffany’s Mom said, “Does that mean you’re going to continue to be a girl at times?” Amy indicated her Dad might have a say in that.

Sienna was soon back in her position on stage. Sienna did well in presenting how she came to be in the contest, becoming a pampered boy. That the name came with Sammy and sisters Sheila and Staci sharing ideas, and Sienna was the choice that made us all smile.”

Fortunately, or unfortunately, it was Sienna who drew one of the thorny questions. Michelle asked, “What do you think of the job President Trump is doing so far?”

She took a deep breath, took little time to reply. “Well, I think we should give whatever support Ukraine needs to care for its people and protect it from Russian aggression. I also believe that vaccinations are needed for the health of children and others for a healthy country. I hope that is enough.” Michelle said, “Thank you.” And sent Sienna on her way. There was a pause before the audience rose to their feet and applauded.

The interviews had only gone a short way before they adjourned for lunch. This time the contestants were isolated from others. It soon became apparent that they were being watched for how they ate and were able to remain presentable. Contestant Kathy Ford came over to Sienna. “I think you did well in your answer to your question, and the audience agreed. The question will be what the Judges thought.”

The contestants finished with their interviews and answered questions by three thirty.

Come the evening, the stage would be set for their dance with a partner. She didn’t get partnered with either of the two male dancers she knew. However, she and Charles did match up well. She was lifted up into the air with little notice, but she was relaxed in the hands of her partner and landed smoothly.

It was her mother who embraced and complimented her at the end of the dance. Sienna enjoyed twirling around as she passed under Charles' arm and back again. He pushed her out once more and brought her back onto his knee as the dance ended. Once again, the performances could be subject to their evaluation, and Sienna and the two first timers weren’t sure how they’d be evaluated

Once again, there would be an evening gown presentation with the contestants being responsible for their own hair and makeup this time.

There would be a group presentation of choreographed dance and singing.

It appeared that some of the contestants were good at the choreographed dance portion, but some did not sing out for their portion of the song. Unfortunately, for some, it was captured on the screen. Thankfully, Sienna had not skimped on her participation and enjoyed moving; her movements were spot on.

There was an hour and a half for the break, but most contestants snacked on protein bars, yogurt, energy drinks, and the like.

It was time for the final evening gown change, and the contestants would be responsible for themselves, with the lone exception of putting on their gowns.

Amy and Sheila had Sienna’s gown among three she could choose from, her makeup was set up at the vanity table mirror and proper lighting; a table with a limited collection of hair styling tools was close at hand. Amy and Sienna had agreed that Sienna would use a limited number of tools to acquire the hairstyle she had chosen.

Sienna remembered, as she waited, a small snafu when the group danced and sang together. It wasn’t her mistake but it did cause her to miss a step.

She was in front of the gowns and perused her choices; she went with the one that Amy and she had agreed upon. It was set on a hanger near her vanity. She chose a slip, stockings, and shoes, and gathered them nearby.

Wipes were used to take off her makeup, a makeup cloth removed the remaining makeup and oil, and her moisturizer was but three simple spots, spread thinly over her face. She passed on using a concealer and went to the foundation. It was thicker than usual; it was designed for the stage lighting and cameras. She used a dark purple liner that appeared black but showed with a dazzle. She outlined her lips and then used a blush to give the appearance of her cheekbones. She used a mint green eyeshadow with a golden highlight above it.

Choosing a dark cherry red lipstick, she filled in her lips and used a tissue to blot her lips. She chose a cameo necklace, put it on, and centered it.

Sienna brushed her hair forward, obviously a different hairstyle. Using a curling brush, she brought her hair back in sections; the last section being brought back took longer as she did a stronger curl and brought it down the side of the face. She used a comb that gave more of a feathering look to add dimension to her hair. There were the setting to two hairpins and two decorating brads of a light yellow.

Sienna put in her earrings and brushed her hair back in place with the earrings showing, as she wanted.

Sienna asked her sisters, Sheila and Amy, to help her with her gown. Sienna had reached her zipper in the back and raised it all the way, with one pause to change her hands to finish pulling up the zipper, and then connected the eye and hook at the top. Amy was allowed to button the many small buttons up the back.

She again sat at the vanity to wait. She got Amy’s attention and showed to the delight of both that her feet reached the floor because of her wearing heels.

Sienna was third back in her place; she drew a number that indicated the order in which she would process down the runway and to answer her final question of the day. It was now totally Sienna, not Scotty, who was in the Beauty Pageant. She thought to herself, ‘I wonder if this is how Amy felt in her pageant?’

The music changed, which meant they were all ready. Sienna would be the thirteenth to process down the runway and back. She listened to Michelle Turner ask her question.

She noticed that at least three contestants who went before her had noticeable problems with their hairstyles, another who had a wardrobe malfunction, and two who were missing some makeup. It caused her to wonder and consider if she, too, had missed anything?

The contestant before her was heading back on the runway, and Sienna had herself all ready to go. MC Michelle Turner asked her question, and Debbie, with a bright spirit, brought a smile and laugh to Michelle with her response. The music started again, and as the soloist was singing as Sienna stepped forward. Some people were applauding as Sienna came down the runway. With one foot slightly stopping ahead of the other, she waved to the audience, paused, and curtsied to the audience. That had not been planned, and the audience drew quiet, and the applause became louder as she walked back to Michelle.

Michelle asked, “What can you liken this experience to for you?”

“Once when I was a young boy and got into my sisters’ things, I got caught having made a mess. I wrinkled Amy’s new skirt and tore a seam on Sheila’s blouse, by the time my Mom caught me. She said, “You know you are in trouble and in over your head. Before I discipline you, you need to know I love you.” Sienna looked at Michelle and then the audience, “I feel I am in over my head, yet the reception here affirmed for me that grace abounds and I should be here. I love my experience of being a girl here in this pageant.”

Sonya Harding was the last contestant down the runway. Sienna’s thought was that she would probably be the winner come the end of tomorrow. She and her gown were exceptionally beautiful. She didn’t fully hear Sonya’s response, but the audience strongly applauded her.

All the contestants were now parading as they sang in the last production of the evening. Standing in two lines at the end, Sienna was in the back row. She wondered, was that an indication that she would not be one of the ten finalists? When the first six names were called, they were all from the front row. Michelle then called out, “Sienna Haynes, please come forward.” She had seen contestants overwhelmed with tears of joy and thought it trite. Once again, she learned from her emotions; she was a girl at heart. Apart from Sienna, there were seven from the front row. The evening program ended with the selection of the ten finalists. Tomorrow, the final Ten would compete for the title of Miss Princess of the Springfield Beauty Pageant.

The televised program ended with Michelle Turner and the ten finalists hugging and congratulating one another. The Judges applauded from their positions and then left. Mom and Amy were soon there for Sienna, and support for the others came forward, and most of them would congratulate one another.

Sienna was soon backstage, changing out of her gown and into street clothes. They were joined by the rest of the crew to get something to eat, visit, and wrap up their evening.

The moment was surreal for Sienna, a boy who competed as a girl, and was now one of ten finalists. Amy was hugging Sienna as they left the auditorium. “Oh, Sis, I am so proud and happy for you.” She led Sienna to the vans they were using. Once to the restaurant, they were seated at two large tables brought together.

Once, the head of the restaurant realized this was a group with one of the finalists from the Beauty Pageant, he officially welcomed them. Ms. Briggs congratulated Sienna and complimented her. “If you are the winner or even one of the five finalists, please come here for a reception after your program ends tomorrow night. We would be delighted to entertain you.”

Everyone was in awe; no one had considered or planned for such a possibility.

Scotty wanted a big juicy burger and fries, and Sienna ordered a chicken sandwich, a small salad, and raspberry iced tea. They were the same, and while she was hungry, she focused on family and friends and celebrating the moment. She looked at each face around the long table and remembered how each person helped her get here.

She laughed, realizing that her feet would reach the floor in heels was something everyone now celebrated.

To be Continued…
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