I strongly believe when the Lord continues to put something on your heart then it is definitely something you should pay attention to. I've been in pageantry for over 30 years in some sort of capacity or another. So you could say I've been involved with it most of my life. But I have to say the one thing that means the most about pageantry to me is the relationships you build. I've met some amazing people over the years and each one has taught me something about life and who I want to be. The sisterhood is a real thing and through the years my list of sash sisters has been an extremely blessed one.

 

For years I had watched women I admired compete for the title of Mrs. Oklahoma America and I never thought I could be that person because I was intimidated by the swimsuit portion of the competition. Not because I didn't think I could prepare myself for something like that, but just being on a stage in a bathing suit and heels, made me a little nervous. However, in January of 2020, my husband lost his best friend to cancer. On our wedding anniversary, Chuck got the call that Don had passed away. We were devastated. Through that experience, I told myself that I needed to honor Don by being brave enough to follow my dreams. I thought about how life is so precious and we owe it to ourselves and the people we have the honor to meet through this journey, to never hold back. God gives us opportunities to shine our light for Him and to serve others. Pageantry was a great place for me to serve. So in February of 2021, I entered the Mrs. Oklahoma Pageant.

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Now, the 2021 Mrs. Oklahoma Pageant was a little bit unique in the sense that they were only crowning a new Mrs. Oklahoma American and not a new Mrs. Oklahoma America. Ashley Lewis, who had won Mrs. Oklahoma America in 2020 was pregnant during her reign and with the date of Mrs. America ever changing due to Covid, Ashley found herself super close to her due date when they settled on a date for Mrs. America. So, Ashley was able to honor Erin Engelke with the 2021 Mrs. Oklahoma crown so that Ashley could have her baby and return in 2021 as the new Mrs. Oklahoma America. What a beautiful gesture by Tracy Crist, the Mrs. Oklahoma Director to allow both Erin and Ashley to continue on their journey as Mrs. Oklahoma. Well, I was so excited for the opportunity to possibly be the 2021 Mrs. Oklahoma American and have my chance to compete in Las Vegas at the Mrs. American Pageant.

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September rolled around and I loaded my car and headed south to Corsicana, TX for the 2021 Mrs. Oklahoma and Mrs. Texas Pageant. Like I said before, I've been involved in pageantry for a really long time but I was not fully prepared for how amazing of a weekend I was about to have with all of the inspiring ladies of the 2021 pageant. Each one had a story to share and I loved meeting and getting to know each one of them. We experienced three days of rehearsals, photoshoots, great food, great fellowship, and the best time a gal could ask for. 

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Prelims were Friday night and I was so ready to kick up my heels and show off my dance moves in the opening number in my beautiful dress sponsored by All Things Crowned. Opening number was a blast, swimsuit was empowering and then it was time for evening gown, one of my favorite parts of the pageant. I was excited to wear my black evening gown that I had purchase from a young college lady who had bought it for the Miss Oklahoma America Pageant. I was in love with this dress. Well, needless to say, I had lost a few pounds over those fun 3 days and my dress was way too big. I wasn't sure what to do since my backup dress was at the hotel. I knew I was going to have to just walk out there and be my best confident self. That is exactly what I did. The panel of judges were so encouraging with their smiles as I walked across the stage in my oversized evening gown. I had conquered my fear of wearing a swimsuit on stage and I managed to grace the stage without a wardrobe malfunction in my evening gown. Prelims were over and I was so excited for interviews the next day.

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Saturday morning started early for my hair and makeup to be ready for our interview time. I was ready and prepared to share my love for my family, my community and my platform - Mind, Body, Soul. My interview went really well and the judges were amazing. They were very pleasant to visit with and again, they all gave encouraging smiles and nods during the interview. As I left the room I felt accomplished and I knew I had done my best. Then, it was off to the last rehearsal to get ready for finals night.

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My family drove the 5 hours on Saturday to come watch me compete in finals. My dad, step mom, husband, daughter and her two best friends made the trip. I was so excited they would be in the audience to cheer me on. As the time drew closer to showtime, I began to get nervous and very excited the night of finals had finally arrived! With the opening number and swimsuit over, I was ready to make my final journey across that stage in my backup evening gown. The red dress looked great on stage and I was so glad I decided to bring it last minute. The red was perfect because that color represents many things to myself and our family. With our story for heart health, the red represented the victory of conquering Chuck's struggle and diagnosis with Congestive Heart Failure. It also honored the organization that I have advocated for so long - the American Heart Association and the Go Red For Women Campaign. Following the evening gown competition, the last portion of the pageant was the onstage question. Our beautiful Emcee, Shannon Patterson (former Mrs. Texas) ask all of us ladies the final question and all that was left was the crowning.

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As the awards began to unfold, I had won evening gown, swimsuit (which I was over the moon thrilled about), marriage longevity (18 yrs.),  and the interview award. WOW!!! I was on cloud 9 and so honored to receive these awards amongst the field of accomplished and beautiful women. As they announced first runner up, and they didn't call my name, I was so hopeful that I would be called next for the crown. As the anticipation grew, Shannon called called out my name as the new Mrs. Oklahoma American 2021! I was shocked, excited and emotional to hear my name called. I DID IT! Thank you Lord for this amazing opportunity! I was the 2nd ever Mrs. Oklahoma American and I was now on my way to the Mrs. American Pageant in Las Vegas!

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