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Pageants

Never thought we would be considering participating in one, but C is interested in a local "no glitz" one -  meaning no flippers (false teeth), hair pieces, makeup, etc. We have NO experience in this area other than my modeling (completely different?) years ago and what we've recently seen on TLC, LOL. Any thoughts?

Our reasons are purely motivated by a genuine to desire to further develop her natural leadership skills, make new friends, and see what opportunities may arise like representing our community, serving as a role model for girls, furthering community service efforts, etc. She's so incredibly outspoken and outgoing I know she can perfectly field any question, just not sure about how the competitions really are? Meaning are these really good, caring people or will they really bring truth to the "crazy mom" stereotype? I used to model with a girl almost won Miss Teen USA and she was the real thing in person, smart, sweet, pretty, talented, but we never discussed actual pageant life.

Again, we're not looking to join the pageant circuit, just want to have fun in this one and possibly have a shot at winning. We've been googling, but any suggestions about local resources? Coaching? Age-appropriate dresses? Hubs is understandibly a little resistent at this point, but does have a close connection to a former Miss AL and we're checking on that, but it's not a sure thing.  Thanks!   

Re: Pageants

  • I did my school pageant through elementary and junior high.  It was fun and nothing like you see on tv.  It can be fun if approached the right way.  A local dress shop that specializes in prom and pageant dresses should be able to have resources on coaching and things like that.

    Our school pageants were strictly beauty pageants (just walk around in your dress) and because the same girls did it every year, the same group of girls usually won or placed (the ones with the most expensive dress, professional coaching, etc.)  They had the crazy moms.  I once saw a dad get up and sling his metal folding chair into a wall because his daughter only made top ten.

    If it's something she wants to do and you support it, I don't see a problem with it.  It would just stress that it's strictly for fun and not put emphasis on winning or being the prettiest.

    How old is your daughter?

  • totally agree with amy....

    i did them (both a a child and young adult), enjoyed them, and moved on from them when i was done with them. i do think i benefited from having participated in them as they can be great skill builders (in the areas of interview and public speaking, and poise).

    i don't know how old your daughter is, but i know that when i was doing my run with them, i didn't get "formal" training or coaching until i was a young adult (participating in more interviews, public speaking, and talent portions of competitions). and by young adult, i mean 17 and up.

    i think it can be a fun experience if approached correctly.

  • Which pageant is it? The pageant officials (when you register) will be able to tell you what they consider appropriate attire. I like the little heirloom dresses myself but many do the pageant dresses even for the tiniest little girl.

    I did one as a 17 year old, won it and went on to compete in the "biggie" in southeast Alabama, the National Peanut Festival. Back when I did it, it was fairly straight on. Even so there were many of us who never had an interview with the judges..I was one of them, this made the whole thing feel really rigged. Besides the judges issue, the only problem I had at the NPF was I had the flue and my period that week...so I didn't really want to do much beyond go home and I was stuck there for four days. :)

    Since that time I encouraged Lauren whenever she wanted to compete and in the early years I just insisted on letting her be a "little girl". She did it for fun...compared to some of the little pros in several of the pageants she was in, she was real, wholesome and in no way phoney. She was a six year old cute  little girl. When she got older I did a lot of her training relative to walk and helped her get her look together. Having always been interested in the news made her score really well in interview and she has never been shy so public speaking was also a high score.

    I went on and trained to become a Miss Alabama judge and have judged many a pageant besides the Miss Alabama ones. I can tell you that, as a judge, I have seen everything. I've seen rigged pageants where the other judges and I had dinner after the pageant and in discussing it found that none of the girls we had picked actually won. I was backstage once and  saw people changing girls scores. I was a judge at a school pageant once and watched teachers give the pageant to someone they had chosen. I wondered why they even bothered having judges. Having said that...be prepared for anything. It may be a real, honest pageant or it may be totally rigged. There definitely WILL be some pageant moms and there will be some nice down to earth moms. There may be some drama...a lot of it depends on which pageant you are going into. 

    Mostly I think pageants are a good experience and if I had a daughter who expressed interest I'd sit down and have a long talk with her, like you have done, and then I'd help her experience it in as positive way as possible. I don't regret doing them myself nor do I regret helping and encouraging Lauren in hers. I'm currently helping a friend of mine get her daughter ready for Miss Georgia. Pageants are like many other things in life, some good and some not so good.

  • I did pagents in elementary school until I graduate high school. They were the ones at the school, like our Miss Merry Christmas and our spring pagent. It wasn't anything to get overly crazy about but I enjoyed them. I learned some things that I will always have with me and I learned how to keep my posture and speak properly. I did them for fun and even won some, so I don't see anything wrong with them if you are having fun with it.
    Erin~N~Gregg 6/30/07 Project 365 imageCafeMom Tickers
  • I also competed in pageants from the time I was a little girl...until I graduated HS!  I think they are really fun....and build great social skills...if approached in the correct way!  Call and make appointments at a few of the local dress shops.  They will be able to tell you which dresses are appropriate for each age group...and they can help you with any other resources you might need!  Just make sure and keep it a fun time for her :)
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