Natalie Davis ’12 has been working the pageant circuit for about five years. This past year, her hard work was recognized as she gained entry into the Miss Minnesota Pageant, narrowly missing a trip to the national Miss America competition.
When Davis was just 15, she received information in the mail about a teen pageant, and because she was interested in performing and trying new things, she decided to sign up.
Davis said her first pageant was a learning experience. She wasn’t quite as ill-prepared as Sandra Bullock in “Miss Congeniality,” but Davis used the words “gawky, skinny and awkward” to describe her first event.
However, Davis wasn’t about to quit. She worked her way up the ladder, and in August 2008, she decided to pursue a title through the Miss America Organization (MAO). She entered the division geared toward women ages 17 to 24, the highest and hardest age division one can enter.
Davis had to win a local title in order to gain entry into the larger contest. As a native of Dassel, Minn., she chose to tackle the Miss South Central pageant. Davis won the talent and evening gown sections and proceeded to win the title.
With the local title on her résumé, she was allowed to enter the Miss Minnesota Pageant and she was committed to a year of service as a local winner.
During her service she served as a representative of the MAO, the world’s largest scholarship program for women. “Last year they donated $44 million to women across the nation,” Davis said. As a representative, she was obligated to promote the MAO national platform, which works to support the Children’s Miracle Network, a charity that raises money for children’s hospitals.
She also had a personal platform: autism awareness. Davis is very passionate about this platform because her brother was diagnosed with autism. Davis strives to spread awareness about the disorder so that citizens will be more informed, understanding and accepting.
“Minnesota is number one nationwide for its high prevalence of autism,” Davis said.“One in every 81 Minnesotans is diagnosed with some form of ASD [autism spectrum disorder]; this is higher than the national average of one in 150. In addition, ASD is the fastest growing developmental disorder, increasing at a rate of 10 to 17 percent annually. Millions of individuals, family members and school systems across the United States are profoundly affected by ASD.”
Davis continued, “My goal is to spread awareness of this disorder, so I may help my brother and others like him survive and thrive in our society. As an advocate for my brother and others like him, I believe that telling Trevor’s story of overcoming barriers will give hope and inspiration to individuals and families dealing with autism on a daily basis.”
This past June, Davis competed in the Miss Minnesota statewide competition. After competing in personal interview, swimsuit, evening gown and talent sections, she made it into the top ten and finals. She sang “Unexpected Song” by Andrew Lloyd Webber for her talent portion, and also modeled a dress by Michael’s, a pageant clothing supplier located in New Brighton, Minn.
She was named second runner-up and was a “Quality of Life Award” finalist for her work with autism.
After Miss America, Natalie also had a chance to compete in the National Sweetheart pageant. One runner-up representative from each state was allowed to compete in the contest held over Labor Day weekend. Davis represented Minnesota and was the youngest competitor present. Though she did not place, she had a great time and says she made lifelong friends.
Davis intends to vie for the title again, but not this year. “I’m really excited to jump back in [and] try again, but school comes first,” she said.
Davis will be taking a pageant hiatus for at least a year, but her work with autism will continue. She has recently established “Awesome Club,” a new, official Volunteer Network program here on campus. “Awesome Club” helps autistic teens in the Northfield area learn about social skills to boost their self-esteem and help them cope in our world.
For more information on Natalie’s involvement with the MAO and her autism platform, visit www.nataliedavis.weebly.com.
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