Lauren Petersen was standing on stage, nervous and not knowing what to expect waiting for the runners-up for Miss Ball State 2009 to be announced.
"I knew the other girls had a lot of pageant experience," she said. "Each of the girls were really deserving. It was hard to say ... who should place where."
At the same time Claire Petersen's hands shook as she watched her twin sister Lauren Petersen onstage.
Lauren Petersen's sister, mother and friends were all waiting to hear Lauren's name called. When the first runner-up's name was read, they knew she had won. Finally, Lauren Petersen's name was announced and her family erupted in applause for Miss Ball State.
"I had to keep reminding myself to breathe," Deborah Petersen, Lauren Petersen's mother, said. "It was just a moment of joy, of pride. It's hard to describe."
When Lauren Petersen heard her name, she said she was shocked.
"I couldn't believe that they had just called my contestant number, and that my name matched my contestant number," she said laughing.
Throughout her journey, Lauren Petersen said she has kept a phrase on her mind. She and her sister made it up for their valedictorian speech, and Lauren said she has repeated it every day since: "Live today with joy, passion and confidence. Believe in yourself and in your power to make a better world."
Lauren Petersen said she feels encouraged when she recited the lines. She said it reminded her of her potential to change the world as long as she stayed true to herself.
She admitted that some people perceive pageants as showcasing fake and airheaded girls. But she said she was in it for more.
"It wasn't as much about competing as it was getting up there and really displaying the characteristics of what got me there and what I could offer to the community," Lauren Petersen said. "It's about being an advocate and a great leader."
The twins began competing in pageants during their senior year of high school. They said they decided to join the 2007 Miss Wells County pageant because they saw it as an opportunity to spend time together before they went to different colleges.
Lauren Petersen, a sophomore urban planning major, carries a 4.0 GPA and said she hopes to maintain it throughout college. In addition to pageantry and academics, she is a part of the National Society of Collegiate Scholars, Park Hall Council, Park Hall Opening Committee, Cardinal Core and the Make a Wish Foundation.
In the small amount of spare time she has, Lauren said she enjoyed reading, drawing, cooking and eating. While her life is hectic, she said that exercising has helped her keep a sound mind.
"I think that working out is a huge stress relief for me," she said, "even if it's just a couple minutes a day."
As Miss Ball State, she said she would work with pageant director Carol Kosisko, who would help her prepare for the Miss Indiana Pageant in late June.
"Lauren will go through a lot of interview training," Kosisko said. "She will do practice interviews with faculty and business people throughout the community."
Lauren Petersen also will work with piano experts to help her perfect her talent routine and go shopping for new interview, evening and swimsuit attire, Kosisko said.
Nicole Rash, last year's Miss America runner-up and Miss Indiana winner and 2007 Miss Ball State, posted an encouraging message on Lauren Petersen's Facebook wall.
Lauren Petersen said she remembered watching Rash at Miss America and still feels inspired by her.
If Lauren Petersen wins Miss Indiana, she will work with its pageant director, who will help her prepare for Miss America.
Lauren PetersenLauren Petersen is a sophomore urban planning major. She has a 4.0 GPA and is involved with the National Society of Collegiate Scholars, Park Hall Council, Park Hall Opening Committee, Cardinal Core and the Make a Wish Foundation.
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