Today we’d like to introduce you to Skylar Bantz.
So, before we jump into specific questions, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
Starting in high school, around the same time I began competing in pageants, I began completing an accelerated learning program which allowed me to graduate with an Associates Degree at the same time that I graduated high school I competed in Miss Houston and then Miss Kemah, where I ended up winning! From there, I competed and made Top 15 in Miss Texas Teen and remembered being CRUSHED only because of my “sister queen” from when I won Miss Kemah had won Miss Texas a few months before I competed. I wanted so badly to be her sister queen once more because we had become the best of friends (despite our ten year age difference)! After that, I graduated high school and received my Associate’s Degree and went off to Texas State University to work on my major in biology and my minor in chemistry.
My freshman year, I came back to Texas Teen with a different mindset. When I had competed in the past, I let my preparation consume me. This time, I focused on school and prepared when I could. I rested a lot more, I ate as healthy as I could being in college, and maybe worked out a few times. I came into pageant weekend just having fun and knowing that I was showing my true self to the judges. I made 1st runner up and was so proud of myself knowing that I had fun and did well without completely stressing myself out. I decided I wanted to take a break from pageants and focus on graduating and working. I graduated in December 2019 with a Major in Biology and Minor in Chemistry and have been studying to take the pharmacy admissions exam this year in order to attend to pharmacy school within the next year!
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
There have definitely been some struggles. While I was in high school, I was very interested in modeling. When I was scouted for a very recognizable agency in Houston, they told me that I was too curvy. This somewhat hurt me because I loved my curves and I realized that because I wasn’t willing to give them up, my interest in modeling would probably never go anywhere. Also, I always excelled in high school but once I came to college, I found it much harder and tended to struggle in a few classes because I was ahead of my friends. All of my friends were able to study together because they had similar classes and I was very used to having that kind of study group all throughout my life. Unfortunately, I didn’t really have that once I came to college.
We’d love to hear more about your work and what you are currently focused on. What else should we know?
I frequently post on my Instagram for brands that reach out to me. I enjoy doing this as a “side hustle” or a form of supplemental income as I study and work within my field. While it is a fun and somewhat easier way to make money, I try to not let it come before my future goals to work in the medical field. I hope that in the future, I will not only be known for competing in pageants or the photos that I post but also for my work and the way that I have helped others.
What were you like growing up?
Growing up, I was always interested in helping others and I was a pretty shy kid. Even now, people point out that I tend to talk very quietly and try not to inconvenience people in any way. I began theatre in middle school to help with this and did it all through high school, which really helped with that shyness. I think pageants also helped by somewhat forcing me out of my comfort zone and improving my public speaking. While it’s not something I talk much about, I also struggled with major anxiety and panic attacks that have unfortunately followed me throughout my life.
Contact Info:
- Email: bantzskylar@gmail.com
- Instagram: skylarbantz
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@skylxrb?
Image Credit:
mvrcym, Amanda Leigh Photography, Tori Artis Photography
Suggest a story: VoyageHouston is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
