Whole World in Her Hands

Over the weekend, I had the pleasure of conducting an interview with Stephanie Hunt, the CEO/President of the new Ms. World International Pageant (MWI) and the reigning Ms. World International Nicole Palmer. 

I can't think of a better person than Stephanie to start a pageant of this kind.  The quintessential pageant veteran, she has captured not only the national Mrs. United States title while representing Michigan in 2007, but also the Mrs. Michigan America (2010), Mrs. Michigan Galaxy (2006) and Mrs. Michigan International (2005) titles.

 Ms. Hunt has billed this pageant system as "The Premiere Pageant for Women Over 35".   I hope you enjoy our interview........
 

How was the Ms. World International pageant developed?

Stephanie: Ms. World International was based on the concept originated by the Acclaimed TV modeling competition “She's Got the Look” for women 35 & older.  MWI is about today’s woman who is comfortable in her own shoes.  The woman who knows who she is and is not defined by labels.  We are about celebrating the Beauty, Elegance & Sophistication of today’s Mature Woman.  

 Raquel Riley, Mrs. MD America 2010 (4th from right) and finalists of "She's got the Look" - Season 2

 Editor's Note: Mrs. Maryland America (and 1st Runner-Up to Mrs. America 2010) Raquel Riley, was finalist in Season 2 of TV Land's "She's Got the Look"

Why is MWI focused on women 35 years of age and over?

Stephanie: Women of this age group are today’s movers & shakers.  MWI provides a platform to for these women to compete on the level of  sophistication and maturity that represent their station of life.  

How does this system differ from other pageant's you've competed in as an adult?  

Nicole: MWI allows me to be a mother, wife, educator, role model, and an International Beauty Queen.  The actual pageant categories allow for creativity, fun, and lets women show their flair for fashion.  My other pageant experiences were very standard, i.e.: photogenic, interview, swimsuit, and evening gown.  MWI is very out of the box with a fun flair.  Think Milan, Paris, runway, etc...

How does it feel to have been selected as the Inaugural Queen for this pageant system?  

Nicole: It feels amazing to be the Inaugural Queen for this system.  I never thought it would be me!  I am excited to represent married, single, divorced, etc... all women who are 35 years and older.  This pageant has so much in store for me as the Inaugural Queen, the delegates for the inaugural event, and the woman who is bestowed the honor of being crowned the very first Ms. World International.  I feel so honored!

 Ms. World International 2011 with the North Carolina State University mascot.

In the year to come, what will make Ms. World International stand out in pageantry?

Stephanie: Along with a prize package that rivals the top pageants in the industry, it is the only system celebrating women 35 & over!  MWI has thrown a monkey wrench in traditional pageantry by changing the rules & providing a new twist in pageant competition.

Do you think that the pageant location of Puerto Rico will deter some women from competing?

Stephanie: Absolutely not.  Puerto Rico is the Beauty Queen capital, where the pageant contestant is truly QUEEN.  The island of Puerto Rico is beautiful, and as a US commonwealth, it makes for easy travel as there are no passport requirement for US citizens. Puerto Rico adores pageants and has opened their arms wide to embrace the Ms. World International Organization.  We are drawing quite a bit of excitement over there already.       

What advice would you give to anyone thinking about competing in next year's pageant? 

Nicole: I would say that if you want a pageant where you can be yourself, share your sense of style and fun, and is unlike any other event, then MWI is the pageant for you. A trip to Puerto Rico for the live event isn't so bad either!  I would also tell them to put their thoughts of traditional pageantry aside and go with it!  Step out of the box and have some fun!  Be yourself and smile!

  

Who are some of the notable pageant names associated with Ms. World International?

•  Sheila Strassburg, award winning film Master Hair Stylist & Make-up Artits
• Dr. Ayoub Sayeg, award winning Plastic Surgeon & International pageant judge.
• Norieta Stephanos,  Owner - Crowning Closet & Pageant Fashions expert
• Judy Cole, Pageant University
• A & P Digital International, Beauty and Event videographers/photographers
• Nola Summer, PR expert
• Michelle Butler, Personal Trainer & Nutritionist
• Naomi Horne, MWI Vice President & website designer   

Is there anything else you’d like to share about the Ms. World International pageant?

Stephanie: We are truly excited and proud about what we have created here at MWI.  It has been a dream come true to be at the helm of a pageant system such as this.  I wanted to bring back the integrity of old school pageantry with a modern style & flare. 

I want to thank Stephanie and Nicole for taking time out of their busy schedules to answer my questions!  I for one am very excited to see what the Ms. World International pageant has in store for us.  With delegate selection set to begin tomorrow, March 31st - we won't have long to wait to begin noticing this pageant system nationwide.

 

 

What a "difference" a Crown Makes

I was doing my weekly review of pageant news and came across this wonderful highlight, in Turn for the Judges, about an organization that is making a positive difference in the lives of children through pageantry

The Miss Next Level Youth Pageant was created to allow the opportunity to participate in pageantry for some young ladies who might otherwise not be able to do to finances.  This wonderful pageant will take place at Grace Norton Rogers School in East Windsor, New Jersey on Saturday, June 4, 2011. 


Contestants between the ages of 8 and 18 will have the opportunity to compete for the title in areas of creative wear, interview and evening gown. Many gowns are being donated by Caitlin's Closet as well as queens from the State of New Jersey.  Entry fee is only $100.00 and the first 10 contestants to sign up will receive sponsorship.

Evelyn McCleod of East Windsor, and the reigning America's Mrs. 2010 and former Mrs. New Jersey United States 2008, is the director of the pageant.  She believes "Pageantry is an important aspect of preparing our children to achieve full potential as they learn valuble interview skills, how to carry themselves and good grooming habits."

So far the pageant prize package includes: Free entry into the New Jersey American Coed Pageant, a  Gift Certificate to Red Carpet Prom, a subscription to "Pageantry Magazine", a participation trophy, Hemingway Jewelry.

From it's website - "Next Level Youth, a New Jersey non-profit corporation, was founded in 2006 upon the principles of youth education and development. We are a dedicated and concerned group of parents and professionals, who have collectively taken responsibility to guarantee that our childrens' futures are full of promise and opportunity. In addition to working with the children, we reach out to include family, friends and concerned community members in this growth process as it is within the scope of our objectives to develop a nurturing environment for all to learn and grow."

To make a donation to the Miss Next Level Youth Pageant or to donate wardrobe items, please contact Eugene Lambert, NYL Founder, for further information.  

 

How do I choose THE ONE?

One of the great things about pageantry is you have the opportunity to meet women and girls from all over the world, literally!  Pageantry is also one of those industries where the reach is "six degrees of separation".  A month ago, I received an e-mail from one of my sorority sisters asking if she could put me in touch with another sorority sister who is now living in the Virgin Islands and will be competing for Mrs. Virgin Islands United States in a few weeks. 

Since connecting, one of the things that we've discussed is "how do I choose the right evening gown?"  The biggest challenge for her is that she has to search for her evening gown primarily online with very little time between purchasing it and the pageant to try it on and get any alterations made.  Because evening gowns are a tricky thing and you have to be very, very careful.   The fact that she is having a hard time finding something in person and is now looking online makes it even more stress.  There are so many things to take into account and think about when making the selection.  What looks good on your friend may not look the same on you.  For women of color, it's even more challenging because most designer evening gown models are don't "look like us", so we have to take extra steps to envision ourselves in a gown.  Most of all, you have to remember that the evening gown should be perfect for YOU, regardless of how the model or another contestant may have looked in it.  

Sampling of evening gowns from the Miss Universe 2007 pageant

Sampling of evening gowns from the Miss Universe 2008 pageant

Sampling of evening gowns from the Miss USA 2008 pageant

There are tons of tutorials out there that instruct on how to choose an evening gown.  But I'd like to add, that when considering your dress, there are few "out of the ordinary" things you should take into consideration like color, weight of the dress, your height, stage set up for your pageant, ease of movement and the peek a boo factor.  Now I know you may be wondering what I mean by peek a boo factor.  Have you ever seen someone on stage in a beautiful plunging gown or a backless gown and they look completely uncomfortable?  Perhaps they didn't purchase the correct double sided tape, or they didn't realize the backless bra they purchased wouldn't truly hold them.

Sassybax: Very Bare Backless Bra by Bare Necessities

These factors, when thought about separately may not be a big deal, but when you combine them - if not addressed properly, they could spell disaster.   If you're a size 2, weighing 99 pounds - that gorgeously adorned Tony Bowls may be too much for your frame.  Instead of gliding and showcasing your gown beautifully, you could wind up looking weighted and worried.

One Shoulder Beaded Tony Bowls Collection Pageant Dress 110C02

You may have dreamed of wearing a orange, lavender, blue or pink gown for your evening gown competition in your pageant.  However, if you plan on tanning (lotion, spray, tanning bed or natural) be sure to take how colors look with different shades of skin into account when selecting your dress.  Will the pale yellow tint you envisioned work if you are three shades darker in early spring as opposed to late summer?

  Spray tanning prevents one from the ill and harmful effects of the ultra violet rays of the sun.

What works in the selection of an evening gown is as unique as the pattern of a snow flake.  As long as you are picking something that works for your body, your comfort level, enhances your confidence and makes you feel like the best you on stage - you can be sure you've chosen the right one!

Gateway to the Black Hills

In all my years of competing in Mrs. pageants, I don't think I've ever been so pleasantly surprised.  In perusing the newest delegate postings for the upcoming Mrs. America pageant I noticed that not only is the reigning Mrs. South Dakota seemingly African-American her married name is a truly Native surname.   This beauty who will compete against 50 other women at the Greenbriar resort next month is Mrs. Shapeera Afraid of Ligthning - HOW AWESOME!!!

Shapeera and her husband, Quincy, are the Pastors of the Miracle Center in Rapid City, South Dakota.  The 29 year old is an assistant teacher at Central High School in addition to being a member of D'Vine Favor, a gospel singing group made up of herself and her four sisters.

While a junior at Minnesota State University - Moorhead Campus, the former Shapeera Davis, competed in the state's inaugural pageant and was crowned Miss South Dakota United States 2002.  During this time, she was also a member of the Gamma Phi Beta Sorority!!!  Clearly this lady is no stranger to stage, community service or hard work.

Congratulations Shapeera and best of luck next month!!!!

The Nation's Capitol

Yesterday I had the privilege of attending the District of Columbia International Pageant to watch as they crowned the 2011 Miss and Teen DC titleholders.  I was really pleased to see such a great the new ladies receive their crowns as well as the presentation of the newest D.C. International princesses!!!

Congratulations Ladies!!!

Changing of the Guard

Congratulations to the new Miss High School America 2011 - Summer Priester from Vermont!!!!

Summer has also held the title of Teen Miss Royal US 2010.  
 

As Miss High School America 2011, she won a $10,000 scholarship prize!   Go Summer!!!

Remember the Alamo

This year marks the 175th anniversary of the "Battle of the Alamo" in San Antonio, Texas.

Just when you thought schools weren't paying enough attention to history and how far we've come as a country, something special happens to tie it all together!   Now perhaps it wasn't by design, but it sure makes for good public relations!  High School girls from around the country converged "Deep in the Heart" of Texas this and will compete for the title of Miss High School America 2011!!!!!  
There are still a few days to go until the final competition, but so far, it looks like they are having a BLAST!

 

 
In honor of Pee-Wee Herman, I wonder if anyone asked to see the basement?