- The responsibility of the title
Gone are the days of the parade-riding, “elbow-elbow-wrist-wrist” queens. Todays titleholders are forces of nature. They have a commanding presence when entering a room, any room. They understand their role and responsibilities. Each title has its own so it is best to do your research. Reach out to past titleholders in that system and ask for guidance on preparing for this job.
2. How to do their own hair and makeup
I love getting “glam” as much as the next queen. But those fabulous glam fairies can’t follow you to each appearance should you win the crown. So learning to do your own styling (clothes, hair, makeup) will mean you are free to schedule appearances around your clock and you won’t have to align with the glam fairies. Most importantly, to me, it saves A TON of money!! **glam fairies please don’t get mad at me! I love you dearly and recommend you regularly for competition. But I think you will all agree, a girl should know how to paint her own eyes and lips to speak in a classroom or at a rotary club.
3. How to practice
Practice does not mean trying on dresses. Practice does mean learning to get into and out of your dress quickly and on your own. Practice does not mean shoe shopping. It does mean practicing walking, posing, turning, basically living in your shoes. Practice does not mean making appearances. Practice means reading current events, listening to various opinions on current events, practicing describing and explaining your platform to groups of various ages and educational backgrounds.
4. Where they are going in pageants (and in life)
This one is a bit harder to explain and even harder to accomplish. You might think, “of course I know where I’m going. I’m GOING to win that title.” *sigh* if only it were that simple. Remember in the first one I said “gone are the days…” yea. Put “win the crown” in that box too. My karate instructor told me, while teaching me to break boards, if you hit the board and stop there, you are going to break your hand instead of the board. You have to punch threw the board.” Thats how I look at pageants. You cannot just stop at Miss Local Lovely. You have to see passed that moment. What will you do the day after? The month after? Are you state-level ready? Are you national-level ready? You better be, it comes at you faster than you think.
5. Who to ask for help
Your mama is probably beautiful and sweet and your personal lighthouse of wisdom and truth. But unless she was once a Miss Local Laura, Miss State Susie or Miss National Nancy, she probably won’t be your best source of information in pageant land. If you don’t know or can’t find a quality coach, reach out to the director for guidance. You can also use social media to contact former titleholders who are probably more than happy to impart their “former” wisdom. But truly a coach is your best bet. They have chosen to dedicate their time and energy to helping you improve.