Amanda Schratz is learning first hand beauty pageants are about so much more than beauty.

Schratz, a senior who attends school through the online Insight program, will represent her hometown as Miss Maple Valley teen this year and will participate in the Miss Washington Teen pageant this fall.

“I thought it was more of a beauty thing, but as I go through, it’s a lot of girls with goals and ideas and stuff they want to do.” Schratz said. “It’s all about going for your goals I think.”

Schratz started modeling in fifth grade and applied to be in the pageant last summer and was chosen to represent Maple Valley after a try out selection process.

Schratz is participating in the 2014 pageant cycle which will culminate with the Miss Teen USA pageant next year. The Miss Teen pageant is open to 14 to 18-year-olds and draws participants from across Washington. The competition is made up of three rounds: evening wear, interview and swimwear.

While she is not a stranger to modeling, this will be Schratz’s first pageant, and she’s finding out there is a lot more to it than she thought.

“There’s a lot of workshops and rehearsals,” Schratz said. “Interviewing skills, walk, exercise — they help you be prepared for it.”

As part of the process, Schratz has to fundraise about $1,000 to cover the cost of being in the pageant through sponsorships and volunteer work in the community.

“It’s a pretty big deal and it hasn’t hit me yet,” Schratz said. “As more time goes by it’s getting real.”

Schratz just received her Miss Maple Valley Teen sash two weeks ago and is getting started pursuing sponsorship and volunteer opportunities.

One area that Schratz wants to focus her involvement on is breast cancer awareness. Schratz and her friend are planning to participate in a breast cancer walk because her friend’s mom was recently diagnosed.

“That’s why I have pink hair today,” Schratz said as she pointed to the tips of her hair that had been dyed a bright pink.

Schratz is excited for the opportunity to represent Maple Valley and about the chances she’ll have to be challenged through the pageant process.

“I know it’s a really good experience to grow and expand your self confidence,” Schratz said.

Meeting the celebrity judges and the swimwear round have Schratz the most nervous and she was surprised by how many rules there are and how much work is involved with pageants.

“I was like, this is harder than school,” Schratz said.

Ultimately the pageant is about having ideas and ambition and wanting to make a difference in your community, according to Schratz.

“A lot of people have misconceptions or stereotypes,” Schratz said. “I was really impressed when I talked to a lot of the girls — they had plans and want to make a difference and want to better themselves.”

For more information log on to: http://www.misswashingtonusa.com/index.php.