Persistence pays off for Miss Congeniality
Tiffany Davis has learned to overcome adversity in her life and once again showcased her determination by being named Miss Congeniality during the 2016 Miss Peach Pageant on June 23.
According to Davis, she was born with a vision impairment that has left her with no sight in her right eye and only 5 percent capability in her left eye.
Davis is 17 years old and a sophomore at Chilton County High School, and has been competing in pageants since the sixth grade.
Her interest in beauty pageants peaked from watching pageant shows on television, such as the reality series “Toddlers & Tiaras.”
Her impairment does not hinder her ability to perform during a pageant, and the only time that it affects her is sometimes with the lighting on stage.
Unlike most pageant entrants, Davis did not have a sponsor to help with the cost of registration.
According to Davis, she earned her own way into the competition by saving up the money that she made as a waitress at Waffle House in Calera, where she has been working for the past two years.
Leading up to the pageant, she began setting aside money that was used to pay for the $75 entry fee.
It was the first attempt for Davis in the Miss Peach Pageant, and a showing that she will look to build upon in the future.
“It was different then other pageants that I’ve been in, because I’ve never had to do an interview before,” Davis said.
Despite the interview portion being a new experience, it was also the part where Davis believes that she was able to win over the judges with her answers and confidence.
“I was nervous and excited at the exact same time,” Davis said. “I went in thinking that I would be happy if I won, but being up there on stage made it great either way.”
Davis moved to Clanton from Prattville three years ago and had worked hard to get to the moment where she was standing up on stage waiting to see if her name was called.
“Basically, it proves that low vision does not have to limit you from what you truly want to do,” Davis said.