Many young women periodically receive letters from State pageants in the mail to sign up and be a part of their competitions. This past summer (2010), when I got one that said Miss New York USA Pageant, I decided I should try for it. I emailed them my info and a picture of myself and they got back to me saying I was in. They sent a package in the mail with all of the requirements and next steps. This, however, was my last step; I made the choice to not go forward with the pageant because of my measurements of all it was not on top of all it required. Yet, the experience I had in reading and researching to prepare if I did go on in it reinforced all that pageants are:
- Rewards/scholarship - Depending on the pageant, one of the main perks will be the great "swag" you'll receive if you place and the beneficial scholarships for college. Of course, for the pageant I was entering, the scholarship was for a college I'd never heard of in a town I'd never known existed. Yeah.
- Chance to brush up skills, such as interview - Face it, you'll always need a good interview. Whether for a job, some other type of proposal or if you're a celebrity, interview skills must be learned. Look at yourself in the mirror, they say, watch your posture and the way you form your words with your mouth. Practice smiling, breathing and speaking in the mirror. Awkward much?! Well, it helps.
- Showcase talents - A daunting task it may be to decide which talent you want to showcase this time. A mediocre dance or a ribbon twirl? Maybe a poem recitation? Either way, a chance to dig deep, practice with passion and perform with power are what this brings. Being judged? Oh, that's just the tip of the iceberg when you realize you've gotten yourself onstage in front of hundreds to thousands to millions of strangers and forgotten all of the words and notes of The Star Spangled Banner! But hey, at least your outfit's kinda cute, right? Exactly! Who'll notice your voice?
- Opportunity - to grow. to do. to pursue. You never know who will win but you know that you can aim for it. Doors open when you try and if you fail, you will learn to still be happy and not give up. You've worked too hard to not try to see the bright side, the silver lining. It is still rewarding!!!
- Contacts/relationship gain - So, you know you have to search for sponsors right? Well, all of those people you've met over the years will come in handy and now, you get to meet even more. It may seem weird and unnatural but the pageant handbook assures, people love to support pageants.
- Resume - Believe it or not, sometimes, listing pageantry is one way to get a good job, especially if you have done it more than once and received awards and placed each time.
- Wardrobe - All the pretty outfits. Ornate gowns, tailored suits, sweet costumes. Even though someone has to pay for it all, getting dolled up is fancy business. Who doesn't want a part?
- Pageant weekend - You travel to the hotel, practice and rehearse, eat, sleep and go on stage. There are lights, cameras and action. The knowledge that you will be on television, on YouTube or just in someone's photo book. The heels. The judges. The mic. The stairs. Your crazy but gorgeous roommate who talked all night. I hear nerves and great wonder. A once in a lifetime experience.
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