At first glance, Miss Texas USA 2007 Crystle Stewart is perceived as the typical beauty pageant charmer. But the UH consumer science and merchandising senior has a lot more on her plate than the average student or beauty pageant contestant.
Not only does Stewart find the time to model, but she also volunteers her time to teaching children with autism and working with young girls all while attending classes.
"One thing I’ve learned is that you need to have good time management skills," Stewart said. "I make sure I have enough time for myself, my friends and family."
The Fort Bend County native competed five times to be named Miss Texas USA and was given the honorary title in July. This spring, she will represent Texas in the Miss USA 2008 pageant, and, if she gains this title, she will move on to compete in the Miss Universe competition.
"I’m really excited about Miss USA," Stewart said. "I’m not nervous at all. I’m going to go in there with the same attitude I had going into Miss Texas. The main thing I had was confidence. I try to stay humble, and I think it’s a blessing, but I remember that I still have work to do."
Stewart competed in the Miss Texas USA pageant for the first time in 2003 where she made the semi-finals as Miss Fort Bend County. In the 2005 event, she was third runner-up and in both the 2006 and 2007 pageants, she placed first-runner up, something that had never been seen in the Miss Texas USA pageant history.
"You have to prepare physically, mentally and emotionally," Stewart said. "You have to work out and make sure your body is in shape. You train for it. I would call pageantry a sport: you have to work out, you have to be fit, you have to be smart and you have to be emotionally ready."
Apart from readying for the coming pageant, Stewart is working to promote Inside Out, her organization designed to help young girls with their personal developments and self-esteem.
"I cater to the inside then to the outside, which is their character development, their personalities, and then I help them enhance their natural beauty by teaching them different make-up and hairstyle techniques," Stewart said.
Stewart’s volunteer work is also a very important aspect to her life. For two years she’s served as a teacher’s assistant for autistic children at Elkins High School in Fort Bend.
"It can be very challenging, but it’s also very rewarding," Stewart said. "I take something from each and every one of my students, and I think that’s what kept me strong. It makes me appreciate life more."
In addition to her teaching, modeling and school work, Stewart is also working on volunteering at other local hospitals to help sick and needy children. She hopes to impact their lives in a positive way and help them through their difficult ordeals.
"These children have been through so much trauma, but to see how happy they are and how secure they are of themselves, it’s like I shouldn’t have any fears or insecurities in the world," Stewart said. "They’re awesome children. Soon, I hope to go to the cancer units in different hospitals and share my love with all the kids out there."
Already planning for her future, Stewart knows exactly what she wants to do with her life once the Miss USA and the Miss Universe, she hopes, pageants are finished.
"I would like to open up a co-ed charm school for boys and girls," Stewart said. "It’s not your typical Emily Post charm school, but it will incorporate a lot of character education, character development and different programs. It’ll be a mixture of modeling, pageantry and etiquette."
With the impending excitement of Miss USA upon her, Stewart remains positive and confident in her future in the realms of pageantry and business.
