I love it when I have the opportunity to judge a pageant where there are over 200 contestants and this past weekend I did just that. It’s amazing how many of the same mistakes are made over and over again. I wish the contestants and their mothers knew this information before the pageant so they could increase their chances of winning the honors they seek. So here is my list of top mistakes that cost contestants points and possibly the title. [Read more…]
New Beginnings From Endings
May 24, 2011 By
Meet Kitty, my mom’s 28lb cat. Yes, 28 pounds! He’s been a great source of comfort and entertainment to my mom and dad for the past 17 months while my dad fought lung cancer. Kitty will continue to be a great companion to my mom since my dad has gone home to his eternal rest. Please continue to keep our family in your prayers.
We just got home from the 22 hour drive from South Dakota where I was without cell phone reception and internet access for the week I was on the farm. I can’t tell you how [Read more…]
Relay For Life Pageant Results
May 17, 2011 By
May 17, 2011 22:35
No Relay For Life is complete without a little rain. What a wonderful and emotional weekend it has been. I first want to congratulate the new WTP Relay For Life court: [Read more…]
The Four Letter Word That Will Help You
May 11, 2011 By
Yes, you read that right. Kids and teens, you can use this four letter word without getting into trouble and get your parents to stop nagging you.
Parents, you can use this word to get an answer other than “I don’t know” from your kids when you ask them a question.
And wives, you can say this four letter word to your husband without making him become defensive and retreat into the man cave for the rest of the night.
What is the four letter word? [Read more…]
You Have Seconds to Make a First Impression
May 4, 2011 By
The mark of a good pageant judge is their ability to quickly size things up, be decisive, and score according to what is taking place in the moment.
Whether I’m judging a pageant, a show choir competition or interviewing people for a job, I make my decision within the first [Read more…]
What Got You Here Won’t Get You There
April 27, 2011 By
“That’s it!” When I saw the title of this book, I had one of those “aha” moments. The answer to why some contestants never move beyond a certain level in pageantry is found in those eight simple words- what got you here, won’t get you there. Not only do I see it in so many contestants’ pageant lives; but at one time, it was present in my life as well.
You see, prior to getting married and having children, I had [Read more…]
Mrs. America 2011 Pageant
April 19, 2011 By
After two weeks at the beautiful Greenbrier Inn (www.greenbrier.com) in White Sulphur Springs, WV, a new Mrs. America was crowned Thursday evening.
Here are my notes from the evening. First of all, let me say if you have never been to the Greenbrier, you’re missing out. I can’t wait to take my family there next year.
It was so good to reconnect with old friends and make new ones. Each year a new class of amazing married women competes for the title of Mrs. America. Being a detailed oriented person, I always want to know the statics of the group. Below are my notes about the top 15 from what the announcer said about each woman during the bathing suit portion of the competition. [Read more…]
Understanding Pageant Judging and Scoring
April 12, 2011 By
Understanding the scoring and judging methods of a beauty pageant can be confusing at times. Sometimes, members of the audience, or even the judges for that matter, walk away from a pageant scratching their heads wondering how the end results came to be. The first step to demystifying pageant judging is to understand the different ways the scoring can take place. [Read more…]
The Key To Raising Money For A Pageant
April 6, 2011 By
Woo hoo! You’ve just received the information from the pageant system you want to enter. Excited, you eagerly look through the paperwork. Then you begin to notice the number of payments for the registration fee, opening number outfit, program ad page, meal plan, hotel, extra events, and tickets that are due. Grabbing your handy dandy calculator, your fingers start to fly across the buttons as you add up the numbers. What?
All of a sudden, the light happy feelings you were just experiencing plummet to the floor as you look at the total amount of money due. How in the world are you going to find the money to pay for this pageant? Just like sports or hobbies, it takes money to participate in pageants. Depending on the type and level of pageant you’re in, you’ll need hundreds to several thousands of dollars. Finding sponsors and raising money for your pageant expenses is a task that will involve creativity, marketing skills, and most importantly, people.
The key to raising money for a pageant and acquiring the needed resources is
Pageant Interview-5 Different Types of Beauty Pageant Interviews
March 30, 2011 By
In mastering the pageant interview, you need to ask the director what type of interview style the system uses. There are 5 different types of beauty pageant interview styles: one-on-one interview, panel interview, press conference style (or media) interview, on-stage questions, and talk show style. How to prepare for and have a winning pageant interview will be much easier once you know the style of interview and understand how each one is conducted.
Also, ask the director if the interview will be closed (for the judges); or done in front of the audience. Will you be standing or sitting? Will you be using a microphone? How long is the interview?
One-On-One Interview
This is a closed interview where the judges are seated at individual tables around the interview room. Contestants will enter the room in groups based on the number of judges, and you will rotate around the room in a round-robin style. Each contestant in that group is being interviewed at the same time in different spots within the room. When the time runs out, you stand up and move to the next table. For example, if there are 5 judges and each interview is 4 minutes in length, you’ll be interviewing for 20 minutes. Each interview will be different because each judge is different.
Panel Interview
Can be either a closed or open interview setting. All the judges are seated at one long table. You enter the interview space and will either sit or stand in front of the panel to answer your questions. The interview is usually 5 minutes in length, and every judge hears the same answer. Depending on how long it takes you to answer each question, every judge may not get an opportunity to ask you a question.
Press Style Conference or Media Interview
Can be conducted in a closed interview setting, but it is usually held on stage where the audience can also participate. You will stand either holding a microphone or behind a podium and answer questions from the judges and audience. Questions can be random and are asked quickly. Think of a presidential press conference and that will give you a good idea of this type of interview.
On-Stage Question
You will be onstage with the emcee. You will be asked either predetermined questions that you pull out of a bowl; or the emcee will ask you impromptu questions based on the information you wrote on your emcee card.
Talk Show Interview Style
Think Oprah, or any other talk show format, and you will know what this setting looks and feels like. The finalists are onstage as a group and sitting in chairs. The emcee will then ask each finalist a question or two. It is supposed to have a more casual, conversational feel so the contestants can express their personalities.
Pageants also have a tendency to shake things up from year to year. They may try a different style, or blend two of the styles to create a hybrid format. The more diversified and experienced you become in your interview skills; the less likely you are to be caught off guard or feel uncomfortable.
As a titleholder, you will be interviewed on stage, over the radio, on TV and for newspaper articles. Knowing how to express yourself in a concise and articulate fashion is very important. The best way to develop your Q&A skills is to practice, out loud, with an individual who can give you honest feedback and bring out your very best information.
If you want practice questions, purchase my interview cards under the resources tab.
March 30, 2011 07:22
