By Jane Jenkins Herlong
During pageant week, Susan Thomas knew she was right on the edge of the coveted Top Ten.
In the pageant world, the “top tenners” are the young women with the highest preliminary scores who get to compete on Saturday night for the crown.
Trust me—if it helped, some girls would pluck the rhinestones out of their crowns with their teeth. The big announcement happens at the beginning of the Saturday night telecast before the final competitions in swimsuit, evening gown and talent—all in front of a six-state television audience.
From the Observer Section—the next year’s wannabequeen seating area—I watched Susan perform a footstompin’ tap dance routine and show off her perfect legs in swimsuit, complete with her dazzling smile. Now all that remained was evening gown.
Rehearsal vs. Reality
On Friday during rehearsal, I watched her glide down a long flight of carpeted stairs.
Her footing was impeccable. She floated with grace and confidence to the microphone and delivered her evening gown speech with precision. She had practiced for hours in front of the mirror. Her head swiveled like an oscillating fan as she made perfect eye contact with the audience and judges. She was good.
Still, Susan whispered to me that she needed “a little something extra” to push her into the Top Ten. I will never forget how she looked that night. She stood at the top of the staircase in her Stephen Yearick designer gown and Cinderella slippers, glowing like royalty. It was her moment to charm the judges and seal her fate. But what happened next made Susan a pageant legend.
The Tumble Heard ‘Round the Auditorium
She took her first step. The heel of her shoe caught in the hem of her gown. She missed the next three steps entirely.
And then … she tumbled. Completely. Down the staircase. The audience gasped. In the Observer Section, we clutched each other like a flock of scared hens—cackling, squawking and carrying on—as Susan’s limbs flew in what looked like a slow-motion tumble.
Then, by some miracle, she popped back up. Her gown was twisted, her hair was sticking straight up, and there she stood again— balanced bravely on those Cinderella shoes.
Susan walked to the microphone. She stopped. She looked out into the vastness of the auditorium. And for a moment … she said nothing. My heart sank. Oh no, I thought. She has forgotten her speech.
The Line That Won the Crowd
But then, right there in the Greenville Memorial Auditorium on that hot July night, a beautiful girl in a twisted designer gown leaned into the microphone and said: “I’m Miss Upstate and I had quite a trip down here!”
There was a moment of silence. Then the place exploded. Applause. Laughter. Cheers. The kind of cheering that makes you want to hoist someone on your shoulders and parade them around the room. And oh yes, ma’am—it sealed her fate.
Susan earned her spot in the Top Ten. I cannot tell you who won the preliminaries that Friday night. But I will never forget Susan—Miss Upstate—the Queen of Recovery.
JANE JENKINS HERLONG is a former Miss South Carolina, Hall of Fame speaker, Southern humorist and author. Her books include Bare Feet to High Heels and Sweet Tea Secrets from the Deep-Fried South, sold in Cracker Barrel stores nationwide.
