The sound of hissing from a can of hairspray can be heard from afar in a buzzing salon early in the morning, with the lingering smell of freshly sprayed hairspray. The beautician’s counter is a mess, full of hair bands, makeup utensils, and shimmering eye shadows ranging in bright vibrant colors to palettes containing smooth sensual smoky colors.
The stylist begins to warm up the wax in the container and prepares for junior Miriam Mercado’s arrival. She examines her counter and notices she is missing a few of her utensils for her clients facial and eyebrow waxing. She hurriedly walks to the supply room and grabs the box of waxing strips and facial soaps up on the top shelf next to an array of colorful bubbly containers.
The beautician hears the jingling of the bell hanging on the front door signaling that someone had just entered the shop. She hurries to the front coutner and greets a tired Mercado and leads her to a chair.
“Good-Morning Miriam. Are you ready for your exciting day?” asked the beautician, as she cranked the chair down a little and examined Mercado’s eyebrows closely and then swiftly, yet precisely applies the warm wax to her brows at a certain angle and then begins to work her magic.
About an hour later, Mercado as she glanced at her flawless and smooth skin in the mirror at the salon, looking quite pleased. She thanked the beautician and then quickly got in her car and headed off to prepare for her big event.
She then slowly turns her client’s chair to face the mirror, and instantly junior Miriam Mercado’s face lights up as she looks at her stylist’s finished work.
Mercado and 14 other girls participated in East Lab’s presentation of the third annual Miss HBHS pageant Feb. 19.
The pageant was nerve wracking for most, but the participants were left with a life changing experience.
Junior Brooke Schiender, awarded crowd winner, at the pageant said, “People have always known me as the quiet girl everywhere I go; I just really wanted to get out of my comfort zone.”
In preparation for the pageant, the girls studied the possible onstage questions and practiced in front of audiences. All these preparations seemed futile in a sense for senior Rachel Rogers who was still so nervous.
“My biggest fear is definitely falling across stage in my heels. It might give me more personality points though,” said Rogers.
For the past couple of years Rogers, who was crowned thrid runner-up, had been part of East and helped put the event together.
“Being backstage is such an exciting experience. You get an adrenaline rush from everything that’s happening around you so quick. It’s really nice to see your project that you have worked so hard on come to life,” sh said.
The newly crowned Miss HBHS, senior Maggie Rutledge, was left in shock. Rutledge was not excepting to win but hoping to just overcome her fear of talking in front of people.
“I never felt frustrated throughout the pageant because I was enjoying every part of the day. It was literally an all-day event,” said Rutledge.
“Walking off the stage after the evening gown portion of the pageant and realizing that I did my absolute best was enough for me,” said senior Teagan Piazza.
Piazza, who was awarded first runner up, was apprehensive; she had no idea what the night had in store for her.
“People have the perception that pageants are judged on appearances,” Piazza said.
According to emcee 2004 Miss Oklahoma Lenay Pierce, what people don’t know is that the biggest factor in determining the winner was based on the interview portion which took place earlier that afternoon, fifty percent of the pageant.
Other awards included: second runner-up Emily Shayford and most photogenic Teagan Pizzza. East Lab advisor Debbie Lamb was thrilled at the number of girls who participated this year.
“We definitely had more girls participate this year. We just hope that we double this number next year,” she said.