By Blair Donald and Carlee Lammers
Round Table editors

The lights have been dimmed on the Weinberg Center for the Performing Arts stage. The rapid beating of her heart is so loud that she fears those on stage can hear it too. A name is called out; she vaguely recognizes it before the cheers erupt and contestants grab her hand exclaiming their congratulations.

Middletown High School sophomore Ally Soule stepped forward to be crowned Miss Frederick 2011 Outstanding Teen on Feb 26.

“(I was in) utter shock. I’m not the stereotypical pageant girl, I did it for fun, I didn’t do it for the title,” said Soule.

Soule was encouraged to participate in the pageant by her dance teacher at Dee Buchanan Studio of Dance. The teacher is a former Miss Frederick and enjoyed the values that the pageant instilled.

“It was broadcasted more as teaching values and self-confidence rather than a beauty pageant,” said Soule.

Preparation for the pageant was not an easy task for Soule.

Soule had to prepare for all rounds of the competition including choreographing her own dance for the talent section, coordinating three different outfits and perhaps the hardest part “I had to practice walking in heels,” said Soule.

The day before the competition proved to be the biggest struggle through the entire process. “I swear I had like three breakdowns and I felt like I needed to do all these different things to be perfect. I got into arguments with my mom, she kept telling me ‘no, you don’t need all this, you’re fine,’” said Soule.

Soule also had to prepare a platform for the competition. Soule’s platform program is called Enhancing Autistic Expression. Heavily influenced by her cousin’s diagnosis of the genetic disorder, Soule plans to make a difference by advocating a program that better enables those with the disorder to express themselves.

“With his form of autism he can’t speak, he can’t use his words and being a dancer I know that there are other ways to express yourself,” said Soule. “I want to set up a program in schools where people study how autistic kids express themselves and help them communicate through acting, singing, dancing, drawing or whatever.”

Soule received a $250 savings bond upon being crowned Miss Frederick Outstanding Teen 2011. Soule said that she would encourage other girls to compete as long as they stay grounded and focus on the positive values the competition holds; not just winning.

While the rewards may be beneficial Soule is more concerned with spreading her platform.

“I’m genuinely excited to see how far I can take my platform,” said Soule.