Pageant News Bureau

The simple answer is no, this is not a pageant photo. It is a picture of a young tennis player celebrating at the recent Andy Roddick Tournament in South Florida.

But wouldn't it make a great pageant photo? Note the woman's elegant form, her flawless posture, her unfeigned joy at a moment of triumph. And how about those folks behind her? Such a scene!

Can't we imagine this is a pageant photo? With the power of creative visualization, is there any reason we can't see a crown, a court, an unctuous emcee?

It's just a passing question. There are plenty of "real" pageant pictures for you to enjoy at pageant.com. But before you scoff at the power of your own imagination, take down your old photo album and see how many "hidden" pageant photos you have. The class picture, the shots of the family reunion, your sister's portrait, your brother's mug shot.

But wait. Maybe the girl on the tennis court really is a beauty queen. Yes, you recognize her now. We almost fooled you.

Is this a pageant photo?