High heels. Make up. Smiling faces. Evening gowns. These are just some of the things that come to mind when someone says “beauty queen”. For years now, “pageant girls”, as they are called, have been associated with the stereotype of fake, unintelligent and superficial, but girls like Lee’s very own Amy Maddox are out to change that way of thinking.

Maddox, a senior public relations major, came to Lee in 2006 to pursue a degree that would facilitate her dreams of someday mentoring, but mentoring and pageantry were not always on the forefront of her future.

After receiving her associates in vocal performance from Chipola Junior College in 2004, Maddox, a native of Florida, enrolled at Florida State University (FSU) to continue with her pursuit of music.

In 2005, while at FSU, Maddox became involved in pageants through her best friend and co-worker Chelsi Rogers. Rogers, a previous pageant contestant, was unable to continue competing due to her engagement. According to pageant rules, women who are engaged, pregnant or married are ineligible to participate, but Rogers was able to stay involved through coaching. And Amy Maddox was the perfect candidate.

“We need a project, and they took me on,” Maddox said. “I didn’t know how to do make up or wear heels…so for two months, I lived, slept, breathed, ate pageantry and won my first title.”

The training regimen Maddox was put on was more than demanding.

Her day began with an early morning workout, consisting of 30 minutes of cardio, followed by a half cup of yogurt or oatmeal for breakfast. A few hours later, Rogers gave her an apple or a slim fast bar for a snack, and for lunch, she had a four ounces of either grilled chicken breast or grilled tilapia with a green vegetable.

Two hours later, it was snack time again and then off to work. After work she returned to the gym for another hour of weight training and cardio exercise.

Next came dinner, consisting of whatever she didn’t have for lunch. After dinner Rogers coached Maddox in Interview and Walking, two of five aspects of competition, until 9 p.m.

“It was very intense,” Maddox said, “There were a couple breakdowns where I flipped out. Not my proudest moments.”

Despite these moments, Maddox persevered and that determination paid off. At her very first pageant event, she won her first tite: Miss North Florida Fair (Tallahassee). Soon after, in July 2006, her father was diagnosed with cancer.

“He began to digress quickly, so I decided to move up to Tennessee to be with him,” Maddox said.

After moving to the Nashville area, Maddox decided to continue her education and Lee was an obvious choice.

“I’m a third generation Lee student.”

Upon arrival, Maddox was forced to make a decision about her future.

“The music program [at FSU] was very intense; it was all about technique and I sang because I loved to sing.”

Maddox’s experience in the music program caused her to become “worn down”, and so when she came to Lee, she decided to try public relations. In May, Maddox will have the chance to put her PR training to good use.

This semester, Amy is interning with International School of Learning Development (ISOLD) and going to Cambodia with project leader Dale Dennum.

“I call to make sure scheduled plans are set up, I e-mail teachers to make sure there is space for us to come in. I find funds for us, that kind of stuff.”

With this profession, Maddox hopes to reach young girls with a message that will encourage them to pursue what they desire.

Maddox wants to communicate to young girls that “you don’t have to wait until you’re older. You can do something now.”

E-mail author at jessica.wright@leeclarion.com.