Miss Mister Aoyama Contest 2023 Runner-up Hinako Ito

Beauty pageant challenge leads to personal growth

Miss Mister Aoyama Contest 2023 Runner-up
Hinako Ito, 4th year student, Faculty of Law, Aoyama Gakuin University
From Aichi prefecture

We spoke to Hinako Ito, the runner-up of the Miss Mister Aoyama Contest 2023, about why she decided to participate and what she learned from the challenge.

Seeking new challenges

The reason I decided to enter a beauty pageant was because I wanted to challenge myself and grow. I had been involved in sports such as flamenco, gymnastics, and track and field up until high school, but I couldn't find anything I was passionate about in college. I wanted to try something new, so I chose to enter a beauty pageant. I also wanted to broaden my scope of self-expression, and I believed that this challenge would be a big step towards improving myself.

■The efforts that supported the challenge

The things I struggled with in preparation for the beauty pageant were how to make my social media followers visible and how to manage my busy days. I felt pressured because people inevitably pay attention to the number of followers. I almost lost confidence when I had a small number of followers, but I overcame it by continuing to post at my own pace and valuing my interactions with my followers. My desire to live up to the expectations of those who support me grew stronger, and their voices became my motivation.
I also had busy days preparing for the beauty pageant and leading up to the actual event. It was difficult to balance my studies and managing my schedule was a struggle, but I managed to get through it by prioritizing and using my time efficiently. Even in my busy schedule, I spent time practicing my performances on stage and speeches, honing my self-expression skills. It was a very enjoyable moment when all these efforts paid off, and it was a valuable experience that allowed me to realize my own growth.

■ Changes brought about by beauty pageants

I experienced a big change through competing in the beauty pageant. At first I was nervous and anxious, but standing on stage gave me confidence. The presence of those who supported me was also a great help, and it supported me and gave me strength. Even after the pageant was over, my self-esteem increased, and I developed a positive attitude towards tackling various challenges.

■Message to university students

Don't be afraid to take on challenges. I learned a lot and grew as a person through my participation in the beauty pageant. If you overcome your anxiety and nervousness, growth and confidence are sure to await you. Believe in yourself and take a step forward. Keep in mind the saying that it's better to regret doing something than to regret not doing it, so please give it a try.

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