Those Dreaded Questions

They say "practice makes perfect", "knowledge is key" and "how you practice is how you perform".  {Don't ask me who the proverbial THEY is, but you get the point}.  In any event, that is so true in any competition, and let's face it - a pageant is a competition.  It is so important for ladies competing in pageants to practice the skills they need to be successful in the interview, on-stage question or platform presentation portions of a pageant.    There are several ways to do this.  You can partner with other pageant friends to do a round robin type session, read one of the many web sites or publications with sample interview questions or take the route of hiring an interview coach like my personal favorite - Pageant Perks!!!

  Two Pageant Perks clients, Heather & Deanna (author)

Think about it, a pageant interview, shouldn't feel any different than a job interview.  After all you are applying to take on the role of Miss Turkey Leg America :-)  The biggest fear, I think, about interview and on stage questions are "Those Dreaded Questions"!!!  You spend all this time writing and critiquing your judges' bio, application and numerous other forms, only to have 4-7 people you've never met/seen ask you who knows what, about what they've read.  If you're like me, you've often wondered, where do they get those questions, why did they ask me that, what made them think of that?  The answers to those questions, cherubs, are never ending and may never be known.  Here's what I do know - the pageant interview and on-stage question portions aren't rocket science, in fact they're quite simple.  You don't have to do much really, simply smile and  1) Listen to the question  2) Think about the question and 3) Answer the question honestly, to the best of your ability.
  

Practice and preparation just help you apply the best methods for YOU to use after you've committed to mastering those earlier steps.  You must get to a point where you feel comfortable in front of varied audiences and you must learn how to think beyond to the stated question.  

Through it all just remember, you're interviewing with and talking to a human being.  Someone not much unlike yourself, with feelings, emotions, education, hobies and a family.  So be yourself and use your brain.  Oh, yeah, but don't forget - one day you may run into a judge who also happens to be a QUEEN herself.

Heather Thompson, Mrs. Virginia International 2010 and Deanna McCray James, Mrs. District of Columbia 2009 served as judges for the 2010 Miss and Teen District of Columbia International pageant.

 

Judges of the 2010 Miss and Teen District of Columbia International pageant with the new titleholders - Chelsey Rodgers (Miss) and Alexis Harvey (Teen)

Miss & Teen DC International 2010

This past Saturday afternoon, in front of family, friends, fellow "royalty" and pageant enthusiasts, two dynamic women gave it their all and captured the crowns.  Along with the crowns (and sashes of course) come the coveted titles of Miss District of Columbia International 2010 and Miss Teen DC International 2010.

Chelsey Rodgers, an attorney, who resides in the District, competed against eight women in interview, evening gown, fitness, fun fashion and on stage question to become this year's representative from the Nation's Capitol.  Chelsey, who is no stranger to pageants-having reigned as Miss DC USA 2008 and served as the Executive Director for the DC Miss America Outstanding Teen pageant, will go on to compete for the title of Miss International this July. 

  Hope Wiseman, DC-MAOT 2009 and Chelsey Rodgers, Miss DC International 2010

Throughout the year, she will promote her platform of "Building Healthy Self Esteem".  An alumna of Spelman College in Atlanta, Georgia and graduate of Howard University's School of Law, she will partner with the Miss Congeniality Foundation to spread her message to youth in the District.

The next Miss Teen DC International 2010 is Alexis Harvey, a 10th grader at Bowie High School in Bowie, Maryland.   Alexis, who's platform is "Fighting for the Homeless, competed with four young women in the same categories as the Miss Contestants.   As a volunteer for IMPACT Youth Group and "Worth the Wait",  Alexis is committed to doing everything in her power to combat homelessness in the Washington Metropolitan Area.

A new wave of Princes or Princesses

A very BIG Congratulations goes out to six of the sweetest women in the world!!!! Seems like there is something in that Tucson, Arizona water!!!! Watch out Mrs. America Class of 2010 !!!

Mrs. AMERICA 2010, Mrs. Louisiana America 2009, Mrs. Delaware America 2009, Mrs. West Virginia America 2009 and Mrs. Georgia America 2009 are ALL expecting little bundles of joy this Fall!

Kind of puts a damper on the "exciting" reunion we had planned for this Labor Day at the Loews Ventana Canyon Resort, but what could be a better reason to miss it!

Love you ladies.....Here's to blessed and easy pregnancies.   How exciting :-)  !!!!!!

Pre-Pageant Festivities - Miss DC International 2010

Washington, DC - On Friday April 23, Miss District of Columbia International 2009, Amanda Lewis, will kick off the systems pre-pageant week festivities by joining Mayor Fenty at the 22^nd Annual Global Youth Service Day Kick Off Ceremony/Rally to be held at the Sasha Bruce Youthwork in the city at 3:30 p.m.   The event, sponsored by the Mayor’s Office on Volunteerism, brings together thousands of District residents, organizations and government agencies to celebrate and mobilize young people who improve the community through service and service learning.   Following the Rally, Amanda and the 2010 contestants vying for the title of Miss District of Columbia International 2010, will remain at Sasha Bruce Youthwork to perform beautification and landscaping services work.  

On Saturday April 24 from 2 – 4 p.m., Fresh Boutique of Georgetown will be the host site of the official “Pre-Pageant” Party. Friends, families and guests of pageant contestants will be able to “Buy 2 Get 1 Free” on anything in the store located at at 1205 Potomac St N.W. Washington DC.  The party is open to the public and guests are encouraged to stop by and meet Miss DC International and take photographs. In addition to shopping, Queens and guests will enjoy cupcakes, sparkling cider and music.  

The week’s festivities will culminate with the 2010 District of Columbia International pageants, where a new Teen and Miss DC International will be crowned.  The pageants will take place on Saturday, May 1 at the ARC Theatre, 1901 Mississippi Ave., SE.   Doors will open at 6 pm.  Tickets may be purchased in advance or at the door.

The Miss and Teen District of Columbia International Pageants (DCIP) are the official preliminary pageants to the Miss and Miss Teen International Pageants.  They are under is under the direction of Miss Rita Sinha, Miss District of Columbia International 2007.   Additional information regarding the pageant may be found at www.missdcinternational.com.    To schedule the new queens for appearances, please contact DCIP at director@missdcinternational.com or (202) 657-6306.  

Appearnace Management

From the youngest to the oldest, pageant queens are known the world over for their numerous APPEARANCES.  Almost anything qualifies as an "appearance" these days.  However with the competition in pageants becoming more and more fierce, titleholders are starting to pay more attention to the types of appearances they do.

Some appearances are dictated by the pageant system one is competing in.  The International system, heavily based on a personal platform, almost dictates that it's contestants participate in appearances geared to towards their platform. (In addition to the the unwritten rule of appearances with the American Heart Association)

Some appearances are simply goodwill gestures and promote the avenue or giving back to bring a smile.

Turn for the Judges is an online magazine, where contestants and titleholders from any pageant system can send in photos of their many varied appearances in the photo gallery.  Take a look and see who you find doing what.....

Whether required or voluntary, making appearances can definitely ensure that you get the "most out of your crown" and truly enjoy your year as Miss Turkey Leg Classic!