According to Fisher, months of preparation played a key role in the success of Marcia M. Turner '97 at the Miss America pageant last year. Turner made it into the final round of ten contestants in that pageant, winning $18,000 in scholarships along the way.
The preparation for the Miss America pageant typically involves a regiment of physical training, practice for the interview and talent portions of the pageant, and meticulous wardrobe preparation, according to Fisher.
Although Huang, who began modeling at the age of 12 and competing in pageants at 15, said she would not commit herself to this type of preparation, she said she is committed to the ideals of the pageant system.
Huang said she feels that in a world dominated by male role models, the pageant system provides a resource for young women to find female role models.
"While pageants may have been exploitive of women in the past, pageants today reflect upon modern women--women who are ambitious, intelligent and have career goals," Huang said.
Huang added that she has found nothing but support at Harvard for her activity in pageants.
She said that some of her friends have gained a better understanding of pageants by meeting her. Huang added that she wants people to look beyond the stereotypes of women who enter pageants.
"I would encourage women who are ambitious and intelligent to enter pageants. It's unfortunate that women who are really ambitious and intelligent feel they might be stereotyped for doing so."