Marisa's Story

“Fall down 7 times, stand up 8.”

This quote is a Japanese proverb that has always spoken volumes to me. It has been a common theme in my life and essentially defined my pageant journey. I was told numerous times that I should quit competing and that perhaps I wasn’t cut out for the Miss America stage. Even some family members would tell me I wasn’t the bubbly, outgoing type of woman that won that kind of contest. On my 7th and last try, I won the Miss Illinois title at age 24. I had been competing since I was 17. So where did it all begin?

As a shy and uncomfortable young lady in junior high, I disliked myself. I was 50 lbs overweight, dressed in all dark clothing, and didn’t have many friends. I was easily influenced and started dressing “goth” to fit in with a clique that I thought was cool at the time. The only thing that was identifiable as my own was my singing voice. I had loved singing since I was a 5 year old girl, and at age 12 my mom signed me up for lessons.

I happened upon a classically trained older woman for a voice coach. She had sung in countless opera houses in Germany and Austria and immediately told me—“you have a coloratura soprano operatic voice”. Thus my opera journey began. Pursuing something I loved and had some recognizable talent in was a huge boost in my confidence. Coming from a place of low self-esteem and darkness, I was able to see a brighter future.

While in high school, I sang roles in all the school musicals and determined it was what I loved most, and that I wanted to try out for music conservatories for college. I also got involved in Miss America scholarship pageants with my mother’s encouragement.

In the first competitions, I crashed and burned. I could sing, yes, but I could not present myself as a polished young woman to save my life. I was terrified of speaking on stage and in front of an interview panel, and I struggled with my personal fitness and styling. I remember competing at Miss Chicago for the very first time as a 17 year old girl and being blown away by the mature, elegant, talented and sparkly women competing. The crown seemed so distant and unattainable to me, and yet I persisted.

As a college student at the Cleveland Institute of Music, I started competing in the Miss Ohio program. I did several locals and managed to capture the Miss Maple City title. I trained, kept practicing, engaged the community, and worked on my speaking abilities. I placed 2nd RU, won talent and even earned a swimsuit prelim award which I never would’ve imagined to be possible.

After college, I moved back home to Chicago. It was a time to find myself again and figure out my career, yet the Miss Illinois dream was still alive in me. I went back to the Miss Chicago stage in 2012 and to my surprise, I won! That was a huge honor and something I never dreamed could happen. Representing my city meant a lot to me, and I forged so many connections that year that would aid in my career and goals.

I didn’t win Miss Illinois in 2012. I kept working and kept growing, and came back in 2013 and then in 2014 with a vengeance. It was my 6th attempt at the state title, and it finally happened. I’m a firm believer that what’s meant to be in life will be, and I am grateful that this memorable year as Miss Illinois was a part of my journey.

Continuing to compete was a choice and took sacrifice and courage. Continuing to pursue my goals in music and now in real estate is also a decision I don’t take lightly. There isn’t much stability or assurance in my chosen career paths, yet I’m going after these professions because of passion and my love of connecting with people.

Being bold is recognizing your strengths and weaknesses, and relentlessly working with that knowledge to attain your goals. It’s something I’m personally still working on, but thanks to pageants, I am accustomed to the peaks and valleys. I hope you all can find the courage to persist in whatever it is that’s important to you. Don’t be afraid of falling. It’s okay to be down, uncertain, and wary of the future. Just make sure you get yourself back up—again, again and again!

-Marisa Buchheit