Evening gowns, crowns, performances and speeches. Women in competitions with attitudes. Ceremonies with judges and fans.

The Miss Michigan pageant has been around for decades. Lucky winners have a chance to go on to the Miss USA pageant.

Monroe County had its first Miss Michigan queen since 1992, Elizabeth Wertenberger of Dundee. She had to work on her new platform, her new talent pieces and her new evening gowns.

These women not only become pageant queens but they have a chance to run for Miss America, and then even have a chance to become Miss Universe. These women have to be skilled, organized, and aware of everything around them. The women who become a part of the Miss Universe organization have to display good characteristics not only in competition, but also in their everyday lives. They compete with hope and faith of advancing their careers. These women seek to improve and help the lives of others.

This competition is an international organization that gives opportunities for young women. Like Michigan’s 26-year-old Rima Iakih who not only won Miss Michigan, but also Miss USA. She won against 49 other women to take the 2010 Miss USA title.

It takes a lot of bravery to be a pageant queen. It takes confidence, willingness, passion, and strength. They aren’t just smiling and waving; they are dealing with last minute costume changes among lots of other stressful things.

Young minds even have their eyes on the crown.

“I do pageants and I love winning, and I hope one day I can perform in a Miss America Pageant,” said former MHS student Ashley Perry.