A princess

By Audrey Kletscher Helbling

I'm so excited. I have the opportunity to win $25,000 in cash, scholarships and
other unnamed fabulous prizes. Plus, I've been told, "The spotlight's on you!
It's your time to shine." Can you imagine my thrill at receiving this personal
invitation in the mail?

If I win in Minnesota, I'll advance to national competition in California, where
the prizes will be even bigger and better. Who could pass up such an
opportunity?

I simply need to complete an application, attach a photo of myself, send in $20
and wait to see whether I have been accepted into the contest.  It sounded too
good to be true.

It was. I adjusted my bifocals and read the fine print. I didn't fit any of the
age categories for the National American Miss pageant. The oldest qualifying
age, 18, is more than three decades younger than me. So much for my family and
me escaping to a Bloomington hotel for a mini-vacation. So much for my
opportunity to improve my communications skills. So much for my chance to win
all that cash and wear a sparkling crown. That honor will go to someone much
younger than me.

But the question begs to be asked and answered. Why did someone my age, who is
married and who has daughters in their 20s and a son who is 14, get an
invitation to participate in the American Miss pageant? The only plausible
answer I've deduced seems rather far-fetched. But it must be the reason. My Aunt
Dorothy has called me her "Little Princess" since I was a little girl. I figure
pageant officials apparently got word of that royal title and concluded that I
would make an ideal shining "Star of the North."

Thanks for the thought.

Comments

[Jenn]

Too bad you are too old. Me too. I see that they are awarding five new Ford Mustang convertibles at nationals in Disneyland.

[Audrey Kletscher Helbling]

Jenn,

I did notice the Ford Mustang prize at nationals, another reason for feeling
disappointed that I don't qualify for competition. I've always had this thing
for Mustangs. Know of any contests for 50-something princesses?

Audrey