#BecauseOfArtsEd

This week is National Arts In Education Week and Americans for the Arts has encouraged individuals across the country to share our stories using the prompt #becauseofartsed.

Many of you know that I am a graduate of the University of Kansas with a Bachelor's of Fine Arts in Illustration. It would be easy (and true) to say that because of arts ed, I am a college graduate and on my way to finding a job in the creative industry. It would also be true to say that because of arts ed, I am an accomplished artist, I have published a couple books, or that I have had a few shows here and there to display the work I have created.

Because of arts ed, I found a passion for live painting through the encouragement of my mentors and friends back in high school. I am now a nationally recognized speed painter, traveling the state and country to give a unique form of art to various organizations, schools, and events.

Because of arts ed, I have been a part of so many diverse, inclusive, fascinating communities that come together through the arts in one way or another - creating, discussing, participating, or viewing.

Because of arts ed, I am equipped with the tools I feel are necessary to succeed in this world: creativity, compassion, teamwork, respect for others, innovation, problem solving, critical thinking, communication, reflection, resiliency... I could go on.

Because of arts ed, I had a place to cry when I was bullied in high school, a place where I felt safe, and a place where I would always be accepted.


Because of arts ed, I have the creative outlets I need for when I have been filled with anxiety, depression, and sadness to express myself in the most human way possible.

Because of arts ed, I have had the opportunity to connect with incredible people, sharing stories and experiences, creating together, and living in this crazy world we call home.

I am blessed, for I have never known a world without the arts. I say I have been an artist ever since I could hold a crayon. I do not remember a time when my world was not filled with music, experiences in the theater, markers within arms reach, and a family that supported it all.

The arts in education is not just a matter of teaching a child to paint, or play an instrument, or dance, or perform on a stage... it's a matter of creating a deeper meaning for the next generation. The intangible qualities that the arts provide both in and outside of the classroom are skills and experiences that last a lifetime.

"Educating the mind without educating the heart is no education at all." -Aristotle

Create something today. Talk to an artist. Go to the school play. See a local band in town. Dance at home in your living room with your best friend or with no one at all. Notice the artist's fingerprint that lingers throughout our every day lives and the careful design that has been cultivated in our world to allow us to function and exist fluidly among technology, each other, and the earth. Support the arts in your schools and communities... there is no greater treasure than the gift of the arts, the traits and skills they give to us as human beings, the experiences they allow, and the lifelong engagement that we carry with us #becauseofartsed.

The Invisible Crown

As I head in to interview for a job "in the real world", I straighten my pant suit, I make sure my nails aren't chipped, I take the hair-tie off my wrist, I tuck my portfolio under my arm, fix my fly-aways, and walk confidently through the doors.

My heart is not racing for fear of saying the wrong thing. I do not have a pit in my stomach as I wait for my potential employer to walk in the room. I am prepared and even excited for this interview.

I don't think many 20-somethings can say that. 

The only reason I can is because of my time in the Miss America Organization. Throughout my 9 years competing, I have always been told that I have a strong interview. Yet my interview is what I always set goals to work harder on. To me, that is the most important phase of competition and also the phase that I stand to learn the most from to apply towards "real life". This year, as Miss Kingman County, I had the most amazing team preparing me for the job I was applying for. Every week, Juven and I had phone meetings that included debriefing from the previous week, assessing current goals, and a mock interview. Kristi and I texted, making sure I was mentally on track and strong to take on goals in all areas of my life and keep a good balance.

I could not have felt more confident walking into the interview room at Miss Kansas than I did this year. I don't get to choose the questions that they give me, but I do get to choose how to prepare for that moment, how much I want to invest back into the team that wants to invest in me, and what I present when given the chance.

I am nothing without those who I surround myself with. I competed for Miss Kingman County knowing that their team could push me further than I could push myself and that I genuinely wanted to invest myself into everything they had to give me. Their dedicated preparation, tools they equipped me with, and endless love is what ultimately brought me to the final two at Miss Kansas this year.

In the pageant world, we are often asked how we are working to break the stigma of the "typical" pageant girl. I think it's super cool that, to me, the "typical" pageant girl isn't a typical person at all. The women I stand onstage with in sparkly dresses in the organization are young adults who are achieving all sorts of goals - from advocating at a national level for individuals with disabilities, to becoming an accomplished lawyer, to having her own TV show and breaking barriers - all under the age of 25.

Women who grace the stages in the Miss America Organization have raised thousands of dollars for the Children's Miracle Network Organization and other charities. We are all talented and have nurtured some kind of artistic passion of which we only get to present 90 seconds of to our audience and judges. We have all championed a cause for our year (or years) of service, advocating for, raising funds, and creating change. We are healthy, active, strong individuals who choose to involve ourselves with the Miss America Organization and its affiliates on top of our jobs, schools, and lives.

This kind of dedication and passion is something only few will really understand and it's those who are involved in our organization and others like ours. Pageants across the world are working to break the stereotype and bring a different version of the "typical" pageant girl to your TV's and your social medias. Contestants and the teams that work to build us up already know that these women are exceptional. And it's our responsibility to prove to the rest of the world that we are more than a sparkly dress, we are more than a body onstage in heels in a swimsuit, and we are more than the crown on our heads.

We are working to prove to the rest of the world that women are most successful when we build each other UP. Yes, we are competitors, but if you could have experienced the love in the room as Kayla Hawkin's name was chanted when she was awarded Miss Congeniality, or the deafening cheers when our new Miss Kansas came to greet the contestants and our families, or how, in her first moments as a state queen, Krystian chose to acknowledge me as her first runner up and friend -- you would know the unique love that we share as competitors and friends with, or without, the crown.

Every year, over 5,448 women compete at a local pageant. 1,362 of them go on to compete for their state titles. Only 52 women will have the chance to compete at Miss America. And of course, 1 woman will wear that crown. 

Most of us will not live out the dream of wearing the Miss America crown, but as it is often said - you don't need a crown to be successful. In the past 9 years, I have accomplished more than a lot of people my age can even imagine. And in the past year alone, I have been nurtured and grown exponentially as a result from my local team's investment in me and countless hours spent preparing me for the crown. 

But the truth is that I wasn't preparing for the crown... I was preparing for the journey of whatever's next. It could have been Miss America, or it could have been landing an amazing job in the creative industry. And the truth is that I didn't walk away with the Miss Kansas crown. But because of my experiences in the Miss America Organization and the skills I have acquired, I will always have an invisible crown that tops everything I do. I can turn the page and head confidently into the next adventure, not only mentally ready to take it on, but also equipped with the tools necessary to succeed in my personal and professional life and friends to encourage me through it all. 

This organization has left its fingerprint on me and countless others who wear invisible crowns every day, working to break the stereotype and change the world.

As I head into my interview, I straighten that invisible crown and open the door with confidence and grace and excitement for what's to come. 

Annika Wooton

1st Runner-Up to Miss Kansas

Miss Kingman County 2017

Creator & Illustrator

Hashtag Blessed

This past weekend, I graduated college!!

It took me five years, eleven jobs, fifty college courses, and a village surrounding me that I could not be more blessed to be a part of.

As I celebrated the completion of my Bachelors of Fine Arts in Design, I found myself surrounded by my friends and family at dinner on Saturday evening. My mom told some specially selected stories she recalled of moments in my life where I exceeded expectations, persevered, and when my creativity and personality shone a little extra. My dad put together a slideshow that was both reflective and hilarious - filled with photos and home videos literally from the first moments I was in this world, through my quirky stages, and into the young woman that I am today. He also showed photos that highlighted my family and friends, as well as certain endeavors I have chosen to champion throughout my life so far.

After my parents shared those awesome memories, the people that filled our upstairs room started sharing stories and sentiments, completely unprompted. I was reminded that I used to be able to sing the entirety of You're a Grand Ole Flag - both verses - and that I would sing it loudly and insistently through long car rides. I was thanked for being a role model for classrooms of underserved children who now refer to me as "Ariel" and write me letters. I saw videos showing how sassy, and creative, and hilarious I was as a child. One of my best friends reminded me that even though I'm somehow always busy when she wants to go get pizza, when she called me in a time of need, I was by her side in minutes.

Family who I've known my whole life and friends whom I've really only just met in recent years, shared stories that shared common themes: compassion; creativity; empathy; and a bold spirit that has never died. 

And yet while I was beaming (and crying) from the words and feelings being shared in that room, what I recognize the most between the lines of the stories -- are the people that lifted me up to be the college graduate and successful woman that I am today.

My Kansas City cousins and aunt who opened up their home to me Christmas Eve and filled the night with carols and laughter; The Huff family who get stronger together, create together, and travel together - always up to a new adventure and a new challenge; Grandma Wooton who taught me fine arts skills years before any of my peers even knew the difference between oil and acrylic paints; Mimi who sat beside me at the piano when I would run off afraid of the "Wild Things" (plants) and Papa who whooped me back into shape and has planted nuggets of wisdom in me from the beginning; My friends who never fail to brighten my world, whether it be a Snapchat streak, late night emergency hugs in the Claire's parking lot, updates from Oman, phone calls with my PIC, chats at the coffee shop, or late nights in the studio; My fairy godmothers who have opened their hearts and homes and minds to me as if with the flick of a wand; My brother who is my twin, my rock, my road trip buddy, my most honest critic, and my best friend; My dad who is the OG Jayhawk and has never failed to help me through any hurdle, task, or challenge I find myself up against and my mom who is never more than a phone call away, helping me with art projects, lifting me up on hard days, and keeping my head on straight through the craziness of college; Both of them - always making me feel loved even when we are far away.

When people ask where I get "it" from, I wish I could transport you to that room Saturday night. Every single person in my family has their own vibrantly creative spirit and individual talents that I have been so blessed to learn and grow from.

So the big question is: What's next?

I am an incredibly self-driven individual. I hold myself to the highest standards, I set some pretty lofty goals, and I work tirelessly to achieve them. I am on the go a majority of the time and sometimes have to literally pencil in to my planner times to sleep and shower. Now that I'm graduated - I don't expect anything to slow down. Yes mom, I did take a nap ;) But I am back to being full speed ahead. 

If you have looked at any of my social media in the past five years at all, you know I am working towards my goal of becoming Miss Kansas. There are just a couple more weeks until the Miss Kansas pageant, so I am in my final preparations for that. I am also working on setting up an online store and online presence for my art so that people may view and purchase my work at an online storefront. Meanwhile, I'm applying for "real life" jobs and am keeping my ears and eyes open for awesome opportunities for the next stage in life. 

#blessed and #thankful do not even begin to describe how I feel now that the tassel on my grad cap has been turned and I am sitting on my couch with a moment of free time to reflect. I want to give a sappy "thank you" to everyone who has been a part of my journey up through this moment, and a "bear with me" to everyone who wants to stick around through my next crazy adventures. I can promise you that it won't be boring ;)

- Annika Wooton

Fresh College Graduate.

Miss Kingman County.

Jayhawk Alumni.

Illustrator.

Creator.

Artist.