SUPPORTING AND PROMOTING THE SELF-ESTEEM OF THE CONTESTANTS IS OF THE UTMOST IMPORTANCE TO OUR ORGANIZATION. IT IS ESSENTIAL THAT THE YOUNG WOMEN WHO COMPETE FEEL A SENSE OF BELONGING WITH BOTH HER FELLOW CONTESTANTS AND THE LARGER PAGEANT COMMUNITY. THE SKILLS LEARNED IN THE MISS OREGON AND MISS OREGON'S OUTSTANDING TEEN PAGEANTS HAVE BEEN SAID TO LAST A LIFETIME. CONTESTANTS GAIN THE ABILITY TO SPEAK AND PERFORM IN PUBLIC, TO SERVE AS LEADERS IN THEIR OWN COMMUNITIES AND TO HAVE A SENSE OF CONFIDENCE IN THEMSELVES AND THEIR ABILITIES.