Formalities wouldn’t begin until noon, but the media and cameras would soon be making their presence known. Sienna was excited for the day and had not much trouble getting going. Dad and others wished her well, as they wouldn’t see and speak to her until it was all over. Dad was wishing her good luck when he became uncomfortable with the emotions inside of him. He quickly wished her well and gruffly walked away.

Sienna wore one of her gowns from yesterday to start the day. There was a group song and performance with the ten finalists peeling off during the first half of the performance. The second half was each of the other contestants getting to sing, dance, or perform, and receiving the applause of the crowd. Miss Congeniality was announced to be Ashley (Andrew) Mohr. All agreed she/he was well deserving and gave her a warm round of applause. She was invited to take a well-deserved walk down the runway with her sash honoring her as Miss Congeniality. The Final Ten, along with the audience, impressed Sienna, as the spirit was much different from the events of the competition that Sammy had experienced.

Come mid-day, she changed into a shorter dress, with a change of makeup, hairstyle, and accessories. She sang one of Ariana’s songs from last year, We Can’t Just Be Friends. After she played the first portion of the song and showed her ability on the piano, she stepped away from the piano and sang the song as a soloist, connecting with her audience. It seemed well-received, and it was as good as she could do.

Michelle called her over and asked, “Tell us, is there more to performing here than you realized in a pageant?”

“Besides all that goes on behind the scenes with lighting, scheduling, and keeping the performance going. Yes, for me as a performer, there's getting a song ready for performance. This is a short dress for me to wear, wondering how I looked, knowing the camera zooms in for close-ups. Making contact with the crowd and how I moved. I sought to enjoy it while realizing I am being judged… I was contacted by the composer last night, giving her permission to use her song. The responsibility of requesting her permission felt like a weight in itself. Thankfully, she told me not to try too hard, but to enjoy myself.”

There was a second swimsuit competition late in the afternoon. Sienna wore a one-piece dark pink swimsuit with four-inch heels. She changed her hair into a French braid with curls down the sides. Some boys made cat-whistles that surprised her as she walked the runway.

The Angels of Distinction once again sang and entertained the crowd. There was a short break, and again back into evening gowns. Giving judges time to confer among themselves. And the remaining contestants to change for the next part of the Pageant. The contestants changed into evening gowns for the last time. Sienna was disheartened because neither she nor anyone else dreamed she would get this far. She didn’t have a fresh gown to wear.

Amy had left at noon and was now back, carrying a gown they had taken to be refreshed. Sienna’s gown had been taken to a Bridal and Prom store.

She did not know their plan to use it to size a new gown that she could wear. The selection for her size was not large. The one Amy liked and thought appropriate was more expensive than any of her previous gowns and beyond their means. It cost over a thousand dollars that they didn’t have. Sienna’s teacher, Susan Lane, had driven Amy to the boutique, afraid Amy was too excited to drive safely. She offered to pay the needed $479 to purchase the gown.

Amy would have bought another gown if there had been another fitting for the Pageant. Amy and Susan agreed there was not one. Nor was the time to look further; this was the second place they looked.

Finally, Susan declared, “You need me to pay for part of it, or I’ll buy it myself. Sammy trusted to talk with me. Sienna won a place in my heart; I will do this with or without you.” Amy agreed to buy it together, with the price and other labels removed, and the gown prepared for Sienna to show her legs. They were en route back to the Sangamon Auditorium.

With delays in traffic, parking, and getting through security, Sienna was disappointed when she didn’t first see Amy there. Amy was being hugged by her mother as Amy entered backstage. “Mom, you need to let me get to Sienna; other things can wait for later.” Once Mother moved away, revealing Amy, Sienna’s excitement returned. She was awestruck by the gown before her, but she was changing into her lingerie as she was slightly behind in changing. “Amy, that looks marvelous? How were you able to get it in time? It looks to be the correct size and everything.”

All the answers to your questions can wait. We need you to try it on and let’s see how it fits.” Amy says. Only Amy and Susan knew it might be small. Fortunately, that made it fit like a second skin.

Her mom was afraid the gown was too long, but Amy reminded her, they had a pair of four-inch heeled shoes as well as the shoes Sienna was used to. The taller heels accented Sienna’s frame to look more feminine.

Sienna had to concentrate when she walked at first, but they had enough time for her to become comfortable with her steps. Mrs. Hayes changed Sienna’s makeup to make her look like a more mature teen girl.

Sienna was now ready to join the other contestants. The ten contestants would each walk the runway, maybe for the time.

Two things became obvious when Sienna walked the runway: 1) She had captivated the appreciation of the audience, and 2) The new gown was well received. Sienna walked in the 4” heels, handling herself well.

Many in the family didn’t recognize Sienna in her new gown. Susan Lane had not said anything. It was the first time she actually saw the gown being worn, especially by Sienna.

The Contestants all completed their walk in evening gown presentation. It has remained a secret with the Judges and the MC, whether this presentation had much or any influence on the selection of the final five and the ultimate selection of the Princess.

The program soon went to a TV commercial, and the contestants were allowed a break to get their makeup, hair, and gowns, and were checked. It was a compact three minutes with the girls needing to be back in place. Nine of the ten contestants squeezed the hands of those next to them. Dennis/Denise Sommers was the lone exception. She had made it known early that she expected to win and wasn’t there to make friends.

The group would soon be narrowed to the five final contestants. Everyone was nervous and wondering who it would be. Sienna, despite feeling happy to be in the final ten, now had a strong desire to be one of the final finalists.

There would be two decisions forthcoming. One envelope had the list of the five finalists. The large envelope contained the names of the final five in order of the fourth runner-up, the third runner-up, the second runner-up, the first runner-up, and finally, The Princess of the Springfield Beauty Pageant for Boys.

With three already called, Sienna held her smile but worried she was being passed up. Megan Saunders was the fourth name. Then it was “Sienna Hayes!” Her name was called.

It came time to walk the runway and come back and each answer a different question from Michelle.

It was awe-inspiring to take her last walk down the Runway. It was only a dream, not an expectation, that she would reach this far. She believed every contestant must be filled with emotions as they walked the Runway.

She was asked, “Who do you tell young teens and children to follow as leaders, arguing that problems in the world seemed to be growing worse?”

Buying some time, she acknowledges it was a difficult time to be a young person, then a thought came to mind. “To the teenagers of today, I would ask you to take up the task of being leaders today. Do your best to decipher between good information and bad. Don’t get caught arguing opinions and calling names, and taking sides. Be willing to listen, and be constructive if you differ. A general rule is to listen to your parents and adults whom you trust. Trust the facts and information you are taught by your educators. Make friends and be extra nice to those who might need a friend. Personally, I trust the teachers and people at church who I respect and look up to.”

Michelle asked, “Name one world issue that you have an opinion on?”

“I’m not a fan of war, but I believe we should honor our support to Ukraine. I am thankful that many of our allies support the Ukrainians. My understanding is that the Russians started the problem; they invaded Ukraine, and they have attacked civilians, including schools and hospitals.”

She paused, hoping Michelle accepted she was done. She walked away, saying ‘thank you’, hoping she wouldn’t be called back. She received a delayed round of applause.

The five sighed a sigh of relief as the orchestra began to play. After seven minutes, they needed to start back through their music. Finally, MC Michelle Turner was called to where the Judges had gathered and was given a list.

Michelle started with the fourth runner up, and I was now hoping it wasn’t me, and it wasn’t. Sienna was surprised when Denise Sommers was selected as the fourth runner-up. Sienna was happy when was when her name was called as the second Runner Up. She properly stepped away from the remaining two. Megan Saunders, one of the two, had become a friend, so she personally hoped for her.

When Megan was called to be the First Runner-Up. Sienna found herself agreeing with the Judges that Stephanie Mitchell was indeed a great choice for the Princess of the Springfield Beauty Pageant for Boys.

She first gave a hug and congratulations to Megan; like others, she found herself more anxious to congratulate Stephanie. The four runner-ups and then the remaining contestants surrounded Stephanie. The reigning Princess took this year’s tiara and crowned Princess Stephanie Mitchell walked down the Runway to begin her reign.

To be Continued…