Miss America—is a she a public figure who embodies a well-rounded individual or merely a woman who likes to dress up and strut on stage?  While it may seem to the public eye that Miss America just receives a title and a crown, she actually wins a year-long journey.

Becoming Miss America is no easy task as contestants must win a local title before advancing to the state title.  Then, they compete against 51 of the nation’s most qualified women for a chance to receive the prestigious role of Miss America.

The Miss America organization symbolizes more than just an evening gown; talent, community service, interviews, on-stage questions, and fitness are all composed to generate scores and a winner. Another main component of the Miss America system is choosing a social platform for which each contestant is an advocate.

Platforms become a full-time job. This year’s recently crowned Miss America, Savvy Shields, has chosen “Eat Better, Live Better” for her platform.  Throughout her reign, Shields will be traveling across the country to promote healthy lifestyles to thousands of people.

Along with personal platforms, the Miss America organization also has a national platform, the Children’s Miracle Network.  Since 2007, contestants have helped raise over $13 million for donations.

After the competition, Miss America’s year-long journey of advocating for the platform begins.  Miss America 2016, Betty Cantrell, says in Cosmopolitan that she “traveled every two days, about 20,000 miles a month.” She did not have a home base and lived out of her suitcase.

Getting wrapped up in the fame and success of being Miss America can definitely lead to becoming someone you’re not, but Cantrell says, “I’m not just a pageant girl, I’m not just a crown and a sash and a pretty face.  I’m someone who wants to give back … and I want to leave the world better than I found it.”