Miss Senior Night

       Last week, my team and I had a swim meet at Orange High School, and it just so happened it was their Senior Night. I've been on the team now for four years so I've been to my fair share of senior nights, which usually consist of seniors being escorted down the pool deck while their interests and accomplishments are read aloud by the coaches. It was not until this year I realized what senior night actually was: a beauty pageant.
       The first thing you should know about senior night is that no one enjoys it, especially if there are sixteen seniors from the team. Surprisingly, after a while you get bored  watching people strut down the pool deck with their parents. So then you start listening to the things people wish to say about themselves:
      "Kristi likes hanging out with her friends and the beach."
      "Chris likes to play video games."
      "Tom is joining the Peace Corps."
      Honestly what does that sound like to you? Like a beauty pageant bio, possibly? Then after the senior bios (which no one actually listens to) are read, the senior must stand in front of some sort of backdrop, usually involving balloons, and pose for a picture. The girls almost always put their hands on their hips, while the guys put their arms around their parents. At this point everyone is watching them, and completely judging them, just like judges would a beauty pageant.
      "Look at her posture. Why can't she just stand up straight!"
      "That guy really needs a haircut."
      "Ah he's so cute!"
      I admit I partook in this judging from time to time, but my perspective changed when we had our senior night last saturday. As I stood up there taking my picture, I could feel everyones eyes watching me, and it wasn't exactly the best thing in the world. I was being completely judged. Now I was able to empathize with the other seniors, and feel just what it was like to be up there, in my own little beauty pageant, being scrutinized by everyone. From that moment one, I will be less judgmental in my views of my fellow seniors and the seniors to come, because honestly, pageants aren't too much fun.