Ericka Correia, a junior at Boston University who now holds five local pageant titles, her most recent victory as Miss Taunton on Nov. 3 was the culmination of years of dedication — but it wasn’t always a part of her plan.

The words “beauty pageant” carry a lot of baggage. Thanks in part to shows like “Toddlers & Tiaras” and “Little Miss Perfect,” public discussion of the pageant world often comes wrapped...