All she ever did was sign up to help a special girl who wanted to compete in a pageant. Junior Emma Eaton never realized the huge impact she would have.

Eaton signed up to volunteer in the pageant during her freshman year. This was not an ordinary pageant. Sponsored by The Miss Amazing Board, the pageant is for girls with disabilities. Participants get the opportunity to be on stage in a spotlight and be recognized for their true beauty.

At her mom’s request, Eaton signed up to help with the Miss Amazing pageant as a buddy. Buddies help the special participants by befriending them and helping them dress up for the day. Eaton met Mason, her buddy for that day’s pageant, and she formed a strong connection with her.

“At first, Mason didn’t like me very much. We were the same age, and she was fiercely independent. She thought of me as her helper first, and friend second. Now, we are very close friends. I frequently text her and talk to her about what’s going on and what’s new with her,” Eaton said.

The following year, Eaton decided that she wanted to expand her involvement with the Miss Amazing Board. She joined her mother on the Miss Amazing Board and is now a buddy coordinator for the 50-70 volunteers of Nebraska. The board meets at least

once a month to plan and fundraise for the year’s upcoming pageant.

Coordinators plan multiple events in order to cover the cost of the pageant. During spaghetti feeds and holiday parties, money and volunteers are rallied for the big day.

“One of Nebraska’s unique pageant traditions is scheduling the event sometime between August and November without conflicting with a Husker game,” Eaton said.

The winners from Nebraska and every other state then go on to compete in
a national pageant during the summer in Los Angeles, Calif.

Eaton’s role in the Miss Amazing pageant in Nebraska may seem small, but it makes a world of difference to all of the participants. It even impacts Eaton herself.

“This volunteer opportunity has changed my perspective of life and has been motivation to strive for happiness in every situation. The girls in the pageant radiate positivity and are grateful for the opportunities they have been given. It has also inspired me to volunteer in other places,” Eaton said.

Through volunteering on the Miss Amazing Board, Eaton has learned numerous lessons of happiness and friendship. She hopes to continue with her work and inspire others to find a special place to volunteer.