Greetings-I’m Megan Yarberry, the director of the Canon City Music & Blossom Festival Pageant.  I hold quite a history with the Blossom Pageant, beginning in 1998 when I competed in the pageant.  That year, I received the “Interview Merit Award.”  This was my first time competing in a pageant, and I absolutely loved it.  So of course it was inevitable that I would compete again my senior year in 1999.  It’s a good thing I did, because I was honored with the coveted title of 1999 Music & Blossom Festival Queen.   My reign as Queen was incredible; I was able to interact with my community, promoting our much loved Music & Blossom Festival.  Also, I realized after competing how much pageantry taught me.  It gave me hands on interview skills, allowed me to perfect my public speaking abilities, and my self-esteem skyrocketed.  

      I took a couple of years off from pageantry to focus on my college education, but opportunity came knocking on my door when I was asked to become the Blossom Pageant’s “Assistant Director” in 2002.  Little did I know that I was training to become “Pageant Director” that very next year.  My directorial debut went off without a hitch in 2003.  At that time, I also decided that I wanted to compete in pageants again.  My pageant of choice was none other than the prestigious 2003 Miss Colorado USA Pageant, the predecessor to the Donald Trump owned Miss USA Pageant.  My goal was to place in the top 10 that year, and I met that goal with flying colors.  I actually placed as 5^th Runner Up out of 30 candidates.  I had so much fun that I ran again in 2004, placing as 5^th Runner Up, but this time out of 35 contestants. 

      Once again I took a brief hiatus from competing and focused on directing the Blossom Pageant.  At that time, I was also busy planning my wedding in May of 2005. After my first year of marriage to my husband, Scott, I was finally able to compete in the prestigious 2006 Mrs. Colorado America Pageant, the countries "premier pageant system for married women." I competed against 48 women from across the state, and placed in the top 5 as 4th Runner Up. Needless to say, I was anxious to go back and compete again, and in 2007 I competed against 60 women and placed again in the top 5, this time as 3rd Runner Up.  Hopefully the third time's a charm, as I will compete yet again in 2008.
 

      Pageantry is my passion; I have found myself throughout my journey to the crown.  Whether that crown is one that I am seeking or one that I am providing, it is a true symbol of who I am.  Pageantry allows me to learn new things, and enables me to teach others of all it has to offer. 

In closing, I leave you with this thought…

“Reach High, for stars lie hidden in your soul.  Dream deep, for every dream precedes the goal.”