I am anxiously awaiting the announcement of the date of the 2013 Miss America Pageant in Las Vegas. My BPF (best pageant friend) and I have made plans to attend our first Miss America Pageant together! I am a huge supporter of my state Miss America preliminary pageant and all of the local contestants as well. I viewed the Miss America Organization official website recently and was reminded of the reasons why this organization is a valuable resource to young women.
Most Americans recognize the original song "There She Is...Miss America." The web page has taken the lyrics and explained just what the Miss America title means. This information is available to be viewed with beautiful photos of the current Miss America at http://www.missamerica.org/. I do not take credit for this inspiring description of who Miss America is meant to be.
There She Is...The title is a representation of the America spirit of excellence and accomplishment. These contestants become teachers, doctors, news anchors, political activists and leaders in their communities. They are destined to be successful at whatever vocation they choose and the skills they learn during their time as contestants only enhances their innate abilities.
There She Gives... Miss America is a role model and spokesperson for charitable organizations during her year of service. All of the contestants in the Miss America system commit to raise money for the Children's Miracle Network Hospitals as well as to promote a cause that is personal to them. This is an opportunity for young women to become socially conscious and active in their communities.
There She Creates...The Miss America Pageant is unique in that it has a talent category. Miss America is inspirational in the energy and talent that she shares with her audience. A performer develops character qualities that enhances their ability to succeed at other tasks. Hours of rehearsal and sacrifice result in a strong work ethic, positive self image and an innate desire to reach goals.
There She Soars...The accomplishment of being crowned Miss America illustrates that dreams can be realized and obstables can be overcome. Even though only one woman can be crowned every year, all of the young women who have been involved in the system have realized dreams- such as earning their college degrees, and overcome obstacles- like the contestant in 2012 who reached her weight loss goal while preparing to compete in her state pageant!
There She Grows...The judges search for a contestant who is a modern, intelligent young woman who has a willingness to learn more. The Miss America Organization itself has changed with the times and the contestants are a representation of the young women of each generation.
There She Dreams...This crown represents a beautiful legacy that inspires young girls to reach their full potential. Even if the dream isn't to compete in a pageant, it is inspiring that the woman who wears that crown reached her goal. Just like watching a women's soccer team win a national trophy or an olympic athlete win a medal...dreams do come true!
Wednesday, July 18, 2012
Crowns all around!
As a pageant fan, coach and mentor, nothing makes me happier than to see my girls earn their crowns! I just experienced the most exciting weekend of my life- four young ladies whom I have either coached or directed earned titles.
The most rewarding aspect of supporting a pageant contestant during their competition is to watch the experience shape them into a more confident, determined and energized young woman. For example, the Miss America system requires each contestant to support a personal platform issue, to raise money for the Children's Miracle Network Hospitals and to log community service hours. The pageant judges each contestant on physical fitness, stage presence, talent performance, poise, personality, beauty, public speaking and personal interview. Every contestant is also expected to be academically successful or pursuing their career. Any young women who sets a goal to achieve all of these qualifications will develop into an experienced and self-motivated woman who is an asset to her community.
Saturday, a 19-year old college sophomore won the Miss Kentucky Pageant! I have followed her to several teen state pageants and last year's Miss state pageant. She is the perfect example of growing and developing through the process of competing. I am so excited about her year as Miss Kentucky and plan to watch every second of this year's Miss America competition!
I even see the young contestants learn patience and hard-work while preparing for a competition. Walking the same path across a stage over and over can bore any 9-year old. But, once they grasp the importance of practicing and gain confidence from being comfortable with their ability, they shine from the inside and the audience sees it on the outside. What looks graceful, flawless and effortless actually required time and energy to achieve.
I expect great things from the girls who earned the Miss Appalachian Sunshine Pageant titles on Sunday. They continue to improve and develop with each pageant they participate and their attitudes remain positive and friendly.
I am looking forward to a new season of pageantry and watching more young girls take the stage!
The most rewarding aspect of supporting a pageant contestant during their competition is to watch the experience shape them into a more confident, determined and energized young woman. For example, the Miss America system requires each contestant to support a personal platform issue, to raise money for the Children's Miracle Network Hospitals and to log community service hours. The pageant judges each contestant on physical fitness, stage presence, talent performance, poise, personality, beauty, public speaking and personal interview. Every contestant is also expected to be academically successful or pursuing their career. Any young women who sets a goal to achieve all of these qualifications will develop into an experienced and self-motivated woman who is an asset to her community.
Saturday, a 19-year old college sophomore won the Miss Kentucky Pageant! I have followed her to several teen state pageants and last year's Miss state pageant. She is the perfect example of growing and developing through the process of competing. I am so excited about her year as Miss Kentucky and plan to watch every second of this year's Miss America competition!
I even see the young contestants learn patience and hard-work while preparing for a competition. Walking the same path across a stage over and over can bore any 9-year old. But, once they grasp the importance of practicing and gain confidence from being comfortable with their ability, they shine from the inside and the audience sees it on the outside. What looks graceful, flawless and effortless actually required time and energy to achieve.
I expect great things from the girls who earned the Miss Appalachian Sunshine Pageant titles on Sunday. They continue to improve and develop with each pageant they participate and their attitudes remain positive and friendly.
I am looking forward to a new season of pageantry and watching more young girls take the stage!
Monday, May 28, 2012
I talk out loud to myself while I drive!
You might THINK about your pageant interview several times throughout the day, but how many times do you actually practice your interview responses out loud? You might feel uncomfortable or even silly, but SPEAKING the response to the question is much different than the perfect presentation you create in your imagination. You will be surprised by the times you stumble on words or use fillers such as, "you know" and "ummm".
During my preparation to compete in the Mrs. Kentucky America system, I spent many hours driving to events or walking the steepest mountain in my town. If anyone took the time to notice as they passed me, they would wonder why I was talking to myself. They might assume that I was singing along to my favorite tunes (which is still sort of embarrassing) but really, I was answering potential questions and perfecting my responses.
Anyone who has never endured a pageant personal interview might assume that it would be easy to answer questions about yourself, right? Who better to know your dreams and aspirations? But, if you really think about it, how many people could answer a question like, " What has been your greatest disappointment and what did you do afterward?" Most of us would have to sit and really think about it. The next hurdle would be to eloquently respond in a way that was memorable, positive and concise, so as not to use up too much of your 10 minute interview time.
A great pageant interview makes an important face-to-face impression (your resume/paperwork makes the important first impression- but that is another topic of discussion). Being prepared gives an aura of confidence, intelligence and appeal. So don't neglect the task of talking out loud to yourself! Besides, you will enjoy having a conversation with one of the most interesting people you know!
During my preparation to compete in the Mrs. Kentucky America system, I spent many hours driving to events or walking the steepest mountain in my town. If anyone took the time to notice as they passed me, they would wonder why I was talking to myself. They might assume that I was singing along to my favorite tunes (which is still sort of embarrassing) but really, I was answering potential questions and perfecting my responses.
Anyone who has never endured a pageant personal interview might assume that it would be easy to answer questions about yourself, right? Who better to know your dreams and aspirations? But, if you really think about it, how many people could answer a question like, " What has been your greatest disappointment and what did you do afterward?" Most of us would have to sit and really think about it. The next hurdle would be to eloquently respond in a way that was memorable, positive and concise, so as not to use up too much of your 10 minute interview time.
A great pageant interview makes an important face-to-face impression (your resume/paperwork makes the important first impression- but that is another topic of discussion). Being prepared gives an aura of confidence, intelligence and appeal. So don't neglect the task of talking out loud to yourself! Besides, you will enjoy having a conversation with one of the most interesting people you know!
Wednesday, May 23, 2012
Open-call for all performers
I live in a rural area that is busting at the seams with young performance talent! Every school band and choral performance excites me as I wonder which of those talented young ladies might choose to compete in a Miss America State Pageant. Each class at the local dance school could contain a future Miss America. Whenever I see a local cheer squad earn another competition trophy I compare their hard-work and talent to the dedication and commitment it takes to compete at the Miss America State Pageant. All of our local festivals feature young entertainers and I can picture them performing on the Miss America stage. I see potential Miss America's in every girl that I see...so why is it so difficult to produce a local preliminary pageant in my area?
I understand that it is not the dream of every girl to compete in a pageant. I also understand that not every family would choose to use their resources to fund pageant competition. But, I do know that we have talented, scholastically successful young women in our area who could benefit from the experience of focusing their energy to pursue a title that would teach them useful communication skills and provide scholarship money.
Many young girls participate in some form of music or dance during childhood. Many, fail to continue to practice and perform in college. What if you had the goal of competing in the Miss America Preliminary/State Pageant? You would continue to improve your skills in preparation for the talent competition. You would have a goal to work towards! While continuing to practice a talent that you love, you would also be working to improve your communication skills and social skills in preparation for the interview portion of the competition. You would become more aware of your appearance and focus on maintaining a fit physique in preparation for the swimsuit competition.
My dream is to meet more young girls who are articulate, confident, motivated, scholastically successful and entertaining. These qualities are useful in every area of life and these qualities are nurtured and matured through the experience of preparing for a Miss America Preliminary competition. So the next time you pass your piano, don't just reminisce about your last recital, sit down and practice with the intention of preparing a 90 second performance for a Miss America preliminary!
I understand that it is not the dream of every girl to compete in a pageant. I also understand that not every family would choose to use their resources to fund pageant competition. But, I do know that we have talented, scholastically successful young women in our area who could benefit from the experience of focusing their energy to pursue a title that would teach them useful communication skills and provide scholarship money.
Many young girls participate in some form of music or dance during childhood. Many, fail to continue to practice and perform in college. What if you had the goal of competing in the Miss America Preliminary/State Pageant? You would continue to improve your skills in preparation for the talent competition. You would have a goal to work towards! While continuing to practice a talent that you love, you would also be working to improve your communication skills and social skills in preparation for the interview portion of the competition. You would become more aware of your appearance and focus on maintaining a fit physique in preparation for the swimsuit competition.
My dream is to meet more young girls who are articulate, confident, motivated, scholastically successful and entertaining. These qualities are useful in every area of life and these qualities are nurtured and matured through the experience of preparing for a Miss America Preliminary competition. So the next time you pass your piano, don't just reminisce about your last recital, sit down and practice with the intention of preparing a 90 second performance for a Miss America preliminary!
Monday, May 21, 2012
Become the C-R-O-W-N
I have always loved pageants. I grew up watching every televised pageant. I always cried when Miss America would be crowned. I viewed local title holders as role models and would keep track of their other accomplishments. I understood how much courage and confidence it took for the contestants to put themselves in a situation to be critiqued and judged- and not just by the panel of judges but by the public. I figured out that the disparaging comments and negative attitudes about the pageant contestants came from the members of the audience who either didn't understand the achievement or feared the competition themselves.
I am not a career pageant competitor. I have only competed in 9 competitions between the ages of 11 and 37 years old. But, the experience that I have gained through each of those pageants has shaped my attitude about myself. I was not a career winner. I have only been crowned once, but I feel like a winner each time that I compete. I have learned more about my abilities and achieved more goals through the process of PREPARING to compete than at any other time in my life. That is why I enjoy coaching potential contestants! The journey to the crown is where the amazing changes occur...
BEgin to BElieve you can BEcome the C-R-O-W-N...
Confidence in your ability to succeed
Respect for your body and your reputation
Opportunities to learn and grow
Willingness to commit to a cause
Never doubt the impact you have on others
When I say to "Be The Crown" I mean to always strive towards the qualities that a title holder should posess: confident, sucessful student or career women, supportive of charitable causes, committed to their community, demonstrates a positive attitude as well as respect for themselves and others, hard-working, ethical, moral, well spoken, self-motivated and socially comfortable.
In striving to achieve these qualities, it not only impacts our lives in a positive way, but we become the person who has a positive impact on her community as well...and if we receive a crown along the way, that makes it even better!
I am not a career pageant competitor. I have only competed in 9 competitions between the ages of 11 and 37 years old. But, the experience that I have gained through each of those pageants has shaped my attitude about myself. I was not a career winner. I have only been crowned once, but I feel like a winner each time that I compete. I have learned more about my abilities and achieved more goals through the process of PREPARING to compete than at any other time in my life. That is why I enjoy coaching potential contestants! The journey to the crown is where the amazing changes occur...
BEgin to BElieve you can BEcome the C-R-O-W-N...
Confidence in your ability to succeed
Respect for your body and your reputation
Opportunities to learn and grow
Willingness to commit to a cause
Never doubt the impact you have on others
When I say to "Be The Crown" I mean to always strive towards the qualities that a title holder should posess: confident, sucessful student or career women, supportive of charitable causes, committed to their community, demonstrates a positive attitude as well as respect for themselves and others, hard-working, ethical, moral, well spoken, self-motivated and socially comfortable.
In striving to achieve these qualities, it not only impacts our lives in a positive way, but we become the person who has a positive impact on her community as well...and if we receive a crown along the way, that makes it even better!
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