Miss Missouri defies stereotypes

Looking at the 5-foot-10 blonde in high heels, a tiara and sparkly banner Thursday, Carl Junction High School sophomore Julia Doubledee figured Miss Missouri Sydney Friar fit a stereotype.

“I thought she would be this perfect, pretty girl who was kind of ditzy and not very real,” Doubledee said.

Her male classmates were seemingly uninterested when Friar began her presentation in the choir room, yawning and slumping in their chairs.

For some 20 minutes, Friar shared with the students her views on how they could lead a life of purpose.

PERSEVERE

“We all desire to make a difference, to make an impact; we hope our existence is about more than taking up space,” she told the group, encouraging them to find their passion, pursue it, surround themselves with people who will keep them on the right path, and to persevere when challenged.

Friar, it turns out, competed for the title of Miss Missouri five times before winning.

But the turning point for a connection came when she decided to share her talent — singing — with the group.

She stood and belted out an a cappella version of Aerosmith’s “Dream On,” earning a round of applause.

Friar also will sing that selection as her talent in the Miss America competition in January, and plans to wear all leather.

“They’re either going to love it or hate it; either way, be yourself,” she told the youths, earning smiles and an uptick in enthusiasm.

CHASED BY SQUIRRELS

Freshman Tristan Bailey dared to raise his hand. “Have you ever been chased by squirrels?” he asked.

Someone else who had heard Friar speak apparently had tipped Bailey off.

Friar giggled, and acknowledged it was true.

“They’re my biggest fear,” she said with a smile. “You know, you laugh, but it’s not as funny when it happens to you.”

“It was terrifying, and I’m working every day to get over it,” she continued with mock seriousness. “They may not ever have been chasing me, they may have just been headed in the same direction.”

Her sudden shift from poised and motivational to somewhat shtick-like with a touch of goofiness resonated with the teens.

“Do you have a boyfriend?” a student asked.

“Yes,” Friar replied, “he’s the lead singer and guitar player in Offset Sunset.”

“Oh, my gosh, he signed my shoes!” exclaimed Doubledee.

Friar opened up to the group, sharing secrets that included having few, if any, boyfriends in high school, to hunching over to hide her height as a youth, to being able to yodel.

With another impromptu song, she demonstrated that ability, earning more laughter and applause from the group.

“Why don’t you do that as your talent?” asked a boy in the back of the room.

“I don’t know if it’s as widely appreciated as it is here in Missouri,” said Friar with a smile.

She revealed that, at age 22, she lives with her mother.

“You still live with your mom?” a student asked.

“Don’t judge me,” Friar laughed. She explained that while it might seem weird to teens that yearn for independence, she does it because she spends most of her time on the road traveling to speaking events and other engagements as Miss Missouri.

“It’s not a paid job,” Friar explained of her title that she’ll hold until next June — or January, were she to win the title of Miss America. “It’s the most practical thing, and it’s nice to spend time with my parents because I know it’s probably the last opportunity I’ll have to do so.”

LITTLE OF EVERYTHING

Active in high school as a cheerleader, Friar told the students that she defied stereotypes and tried a little of everything: She was a football manager, a tuba and trumpet player, and relished playing the role of villains in school plays.

“I was eccentric as a kid, but I’ve had a lot of fun. Be weird.”

At the end of the session, male and female students alike jumped up from their seats and surrounded Friar to ask for autographs. Doubledee requested Friar autograph her purple Converse-like sneakers, just as Friar’s boyfriend had on another pair. Bailey, the freshman, asked for a signature on one of his Air Jordans.

“Her boyfriend is going to be so jealous,” Bailey cracked.

Junior Kelli Fletcher, meanwhile, took lots and lots of pictures.

“This was actually really fun,” she said. “I wasn’t sure about her in the beginning, but I have a new role model now.”