A native of Northwest Indiana, recent River Forest High School graduate Katy McKim was a young girl when she first entered the pageant world. However, it was not as a participant, but rather as a spectator watching her mom judge a pageant.
“My mom judged it, when I was probably about 8 or 9, and I just fell in love with the atmosphere,” McKim said.
At the time, McKim was not old enough to join the pageant. Once she reached the age of eligibility, that’s when the COVID-19 pandemic hit, temporarily pausing and altering pageants altogether.
“When I was old enough, I really wanted to join,” McKim said. “Then COVID hit, so I had to wait an extra year. I ended up doing my first preliminary for Miss Indiana’s team when I was 15.”
Despite the stereotype of focusing on outward appearance and physical image, McKim feels that the pageants place a significant emphasis on evaluating participants based on personality and character.
“It’s so much about who you are on the inside, who you are as a person, and your education and message to the world,” she said.
Through her pageant participation, McKim has been able to give back to the community. For example, after her friend passed away in 2022 in a tragic car accident, she launched the organization “You’re Safer with a Seatbelt” as part of her pageantry non-profit work. The program promotes the safe driving practice of wearing a seatbelt and as a part of its larger programming, the organization has a safety pledging program.
“The programming has allowed me to be able to create something called a ‘Commit to Safety Pledging Program,’ where I teach to students aging between 8 and 16 years old across the state of Indiana, to teach them just how to be a safe driver and how to promote seat belt safety,” McKim said.
The sisterhood McKim has found through her pageant participation is also very important to her.
“My favorite part of Miss Indiana, and just competing in pageants in general, has been the sisterhood,” she said.
Many of the pageant participants share a very loyal bond that goes beyond the competitions.
“I can call these girls at any hour of the day,” McKim said. “Even if we're in a different time zone, I can call them at 1 a.m. their time and they'll pick up. If I just need someone to talk to, they're just a text away.”
No matter what part of Indiana a fellow pageant participant is from, it’s like they are neighbors.
“Some of us are on completely opposite ends of the state, but it doesn't ever feel like that because we're always available for each other,” McKim said.
Pageants have played a significant role in shaping McKim’s work, how she gives back to the community, and her friendships. She recently returned from Miss Indiana’s Teen competition and plans to continue to compete for many years to come. In the fall, McKim will start at Valparaiso University with the intent to major in communication and political science, with a minor in philanthropic leadership and service.