Titleholders generally get a say in how much or how little they do with their title. As Miss Heartland, I didn't do much. As Miss Kool-Aid Days, I did nearly as much as I could - at least one appearance every weekend since New Years Eve.
The one lesson this really drove home was that you get out of something what you put into it.
When I began this last pageant season, I developed a new platform. I adopted the platform of hearing loss prevention because I lost the hearing in my left ear when I was 14. One of the biggest points I wanted to get across during my year was how hearing loss affects those who go through it.
My hearing loss really affected my social life. I couldn't hear or understand what was going on and after awhile, I stopped trying to figure it out. It was clear to me I didn't fit in anymore and I was tired of trying, and failing to communicate well enough to do so.
I thought the Miss America Organization would give me the perfect opportunity to not only inform people about warning signs and precautions they could take, but about how difficult it is for people who suffer from hearing loss.
In the 7 years I have lived with hearing loss, I never admitted to myself that I hadn't quite overcome the social struggles that accompanied it. It became very clear that I had a lot to overcome as I got out into the community to do all of my community service. Each time I did an appearance, I felt myself open up a little more and grow a little more confident after speaking with many individuals and helping out those who need assistance.
Not only do I feel eternally grateful that my year as Miss Kool-Aid helped me to regain my confidence and learn how to put myself out there, but the year also helped me find my love for volunteering. Before I started making appearances as Miss Kool-Aid Days, I didn't do much community service and I had no idea how much I loved it. Now I can't imagine my life without regular community service. With or without a new title this year, I plan to continue volunteering at various events that I find, but I also plan to begin regularly volunteering for a few organizations. I will certainly continue my work with hearing loss groups (and I hope to pick up a small bit of signing expertise), but I am also looking at working with the Special Olympics or the Munroe Meyer Institute as often as possible.
Yet, the tears still kept hitting, and at random times. On one instance, a board member asked if they could call me Miss Kool-Aid Days one last time, at another I was getting ready to take my final walk, and at yet another I wanted to thank the pageant people in attendance and the people of Hastings for all they have done.
I later realized there were two reasons I felt such a need to cry. For one thing, I have literally put myself into being Miss Kool-Aid Days and grown so much from it, that I felt a bit of a hole knowing that everything I worked so hard for was coming to an end. With a little time to think and a chat with a dear friend, I came to realize that I did put a huge chunk of myself into the title of Miss Kool-Aid Days but that I did everything I could and gained everything I could from the title; I came to realize that it was someone else's turn to learn and grow from the experience of being Miss Kool-Aid Days. I also realized that, while there is a part of me that feels like it is missing because I put it into being Miss Kool-Aid Days, it will quickly be filled with student teaching and all of the adventures that are yet to come my way, including all the community service I plan to partake in.
I also couldn't help but cry because I don't think I can possibly thank my family, friends, pageant family, and the city of Hastings enough for all they have done for me. I think there are many people who will never know how much of a difference they made in my life, and unfortunately, I think there are many people who never will know.
To anyone who reads this who has been a part of my journey as Miss Kool-Aid Days - thank you! Please don't ever hesitate to let me know if there is anything I can do to help you!
To the new Miss Kool-Aid Days, Jessica Littlejohn, I first want to express the pride I felt in crowning you as my successor. You want so badly to be Miss Kool-Aid Days and you carry so much excitement about the title, that I know you will put your heart and soul into the pageant. It has been my pleasure to watch you grow through this pageant system and I know there is growth to come for you as Miss Kool-Aid Days. I wish you the growth and the joy that came through my experiences as Miss Kool-Aid Days. I know you will make Kool-Aid Days and the city of Hastings proud.
To all of the contestants, thank you for making me feel so much better about giving up my title and thank you for letting me hang out with you all day. You are all amazing and I am so happy to know that I will see you again throughout pageant season. You all have so much to be proud of!
I couldn't have been more honored to be your first Miss Kool-Aid Days and to represent one of the most amazing cities I have been in.
Humbly yours,
Kimberly Brennan
Miss Kool-Aid Days 2013
Courtesy of Studio B Photography
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