As you make last minute preparations for the 2013 Miss Teen International pageants, you are probably packing tons of gorgeous gowns, fabulous make-up, and your favorite hair styling tools. You may have remembered to bring a sewing kit, extra earrings, and other last minute necessities. However, the most valuable thing you can bring to competition is your very best "you"!!
What exactly does that mean? Well, to be your best, you must be at peace with any outcome, have a positive self image, and come to the competition with a selfless goal in mind. Need some explanation?
Well, when I say, "be at peace with any outcome," I mean that you need to mentally prepare yourself for any outcome and know in you heart that a crown WILL NOT CHANGE YOU! No, the crown does not have super powers. It won't make you more talkative or more beautiful. It will, however, open more doors for you to serve people all over the world! You should also be prepared to win!! Ask yourself, "What would be my ultimate goal as Miss Teen International 2013?" If you are blessed with this beautiful Earthly crown, you will be ready to put your fabulous plan into action!
You should also have a positive self image. The Lord made us all beautiful and unique in very different ways! No, we don't all have the same color hair or the same body types, but in the end, none of that really matters! If you let your inner beauty shine, it will radiate outward and glorify God in all that you do!
Finally, come with a selfless goal in mind! If you come to the pageant simply wanting to win the crown, you will miss out on countless opportunities! If you come to the pageant with a servant's heart, you will have the opportunities to touch so many lives, raise awareness about your platform, and possibly gain more volunteers for your organization! What more could you ask for? I also made so many amazing friends last year that I am still in touch with because we weren't focused on the competition but rather on making lasting memories!
All my love,
Caroline
Showing posts with label Pageant Advice. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Pageant Advice. Show all posts
Friday, 19 July 2013
Friday, 12 July 2013
Contemplating Competition
As I reflect on my own experience as I prepared for Chicago one year ago, I have to say that I arrived feeling as though I had left no stone un-turned and ready to compete. As an individual who loves to compete and has done so for most of my life in; figure skating, pageantry, and the construction industry, I have a philosophy that you may or may not agree with…regardless, here are my thoughts for you to contemplate:
My very best wishes to each of you, and I want to share with you one of my favorite quotes of all time by Henry David Thoreau, “Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you’ve imagined.”
Sarah Bazey
Mrs. International 2012
- A true competitor prepares to be their very best, and lives by the mantra, “I can only control ME.”
- Trying to compete against others will only cause frustration. I can promise you that I was not the youngest, the thinnest, the tallest, the prettiest, or any number of labels at the pageant last year…however, I was the best me I could be!
- The devil is in the details, and a good competitor shows up knowing they have done the hard work, therefore, they can be in the moment and perform at the highest level with ease.
- Be certain you understand what it means to win the title for which you are competing, and if you win, do you have a strategy for your reign. Even though I knew winning was statistically a long shot, I prepared as though I would become Mrs. International and was able to articulate to myself, my husband, and the judges exactly what I hoped to accomplish. On a very personal level, I never spoke about winning out loud because that is how I was raised, but internally you have to be able to believe in the possibility….
- Any good competitor knows where the points add up. In this system interview carries the most weight, therefore, be absolutely prepared for fitness and evening gown, but give interview the attention it deserves. For the formal judges interview, the best advice is simply to be you! If you win, you will be sharing conversations about your platform, the pageant system, your family, where you live, etc…everyday with people from all walks of life! These judges will want to know who you are, because you will become the face of the International Pageant System.
- That said, do not under estimate the importance of the value for On-Stage Interview, both the prepared speech and the Q & A. In this case, it is not as much the point value, as the placement in the competition and the effect your performance will have on you as the competitor, the judges decisions, and your connection with the audience. A tip I love to share…I added my 30 second speech to my daily cardio workout for several months. When the treadmill timer hit the top of a minute, I would rehearse my speech and time it, massage it, and the result was a feeling so comfortable on stage, that I honestly felt as though I was talking to my best friend in an intimate setting. Even if you add it to your travel toward Chicago it will make you more confident! As for answering the question, the best advice is to be in the moment, listen, and answer the question with the confidence that you know your platform.
- It is critical to pace yourself throughout the week; rest whenever possible, bring items that ground you (I had two framed photos of my wedding day and Tonka, and an Aveda candle), make certain to drink water and consume healthy calories, I needed a wrap during rehearsals because I hate being cold, give your feet a break as much as possible, because you will be asking a lot of them during the pageant itself, and breath!
- Competition is really a journey, not simply an end result. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to meet incredible women from different cultures and each with unique experiences. Do yourself a favor and get to know each other…I promise you will treasure the memories!
- A classy competitor believes in good sportsmanship – win or lose. One of my most revered moments happened in my own home, by myself, curled up in a chair, when I put in the DVD of last year and watched the final moments of the pageant. When I saw the reaction of the amazing women in the Class of 2012 as my name was called, I burst into tears…of overwhelming joy…and was filled with a deep sense of humility. I had no idea the women behind me in their gorgeous gowns had cheered, high-fived, and hugged in a moment when many could feel less than joyful. Believe me when I say I have lost more pageants than I have won…and I know…how beautiful inside and out these women truly are!
- If you have made it to Chicago, you are already blessed and you are already a WINNER! Just remember there are so many women throughout the world who have thought about competing in a pageant, but for a variety of reasons never take the first step. You had the guts to do it, and that is a WIN in life…and if you believe…God has a plan for each and every one of us.
My very best wishes to each of you, and I want to share with you one of my favorite quotes of all time by Henry David Thoreau, “Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you’ve imagined.”
Sarah Bazey
Mrs. International 2012
Sunday, 7 July 2013
Countdown to Nationals!
Ok ladies, nationals is coming up quickly. In two weeks you will be in the beginning phases of what, for one lucky lady, will be a life opening opportunity. I am sure you are full of emotions and your head is probably spinning with all the constant advice and constructive criticism as your prepare. At this time last year I was a complete mess. I was questioning everything from platform to wardrobe. So, for those of you who are feeling the nerves, my best advice for you is keep things in perspective!
You are already a state titleholder. That is a huge honor that I bet, many girls in your state would have quickly stepped into. And in that state, I am sure there are more people you can count who are supporting you. Not because they don’t think a state title is enough, but because they already see you in the perfect form that you naturally are. You have already done things that the average young women would never have the courage or confidence to do. The time, focus, and work that you have done leading up to this week is more than most would be willing to do. We are a unique breed us International gals. So give yourself a bit of credit for the outstanding woman you already are. In the next two weeks, it is a good time to stop practicing and being perfect, relax and just be you. You have learned everything you need to know, now say goodbye to robot and let your true self, shine.
When the pressure is building or you are starting to doubt yourself because of all the beautiful impressive women you are surrounded by during orientation, just remember, you are living a life so many girls dream of. We are real life princesses! I don’t know about you but most of my best girlfriends are crazy jealous of my tiara, shoe collection, and appearance opportunities.
How lucky are we to get to dress up in fantastical gowns and sequin covered clothing, with hair and make up done up like Barbie, for a whole week?! While meeting young woman from all over the world that share similar passions and interests to promote causes like you! If you take nothing else away from this pageant, please take the opportunity to network and get to know these women who are doing BIG things in their states. The network of young professionals I have met this year is truly priceless and I have no doubts I will call on their advice and assistance in my professional future.
This is a week only 60-some girls in the world get to experience each year! Take advantage of every moment no matter how tired, cranky, or hungry you may be. It will be an intense week and you will be pushed to your limits some days by take your eyes and focus off the crown and enjoy the journey.
I am looking forward to meeting each and every one of you but please keep in mind, as the national titleholder I have to keep a bit of distance between the current contestants and myself. Please don’t take it personally if I keep our interactions short and sweet!
Best of luck to you all!
Krista Wanous
Miss International 2012
P.S. If you haven’t already, now is a great time to start collecting inspiring music, quotes or images that keep your mind focused and uplifted. Surround yourself with happiness and motivation and channel Gods calming spirit through your heart and mind.
You are already a state titleholder. That is a huge honor that I bet, many girls in your state would have quickly stepped into. And in that state, I am sure there are more people you can count who are supporting you. Not because they don’t think a state title is enough, but because they already see you in the perfect form that you naturally are. You have already done things that the average young women would never have the courage or confidence to do. The time, focus, and work that you have done leading up to this week is more than most would be willing to do. We are a unique breed us International gals. So give yourself a bit of credit for the outstanding woman you already are. In the next two weeks, it is a good time to stop practicing and being perfect, relax and just be you. You have learned everything you need to know, now say goodbye to robot and let your true self, shine.
When the pressure is building or you are starting to doubt yourself because of all the beautiful impressive women you are surrounded by during orientation, just remember, you are living a life so many girls dream of. We are real life princesses! I don’t know about you but most of my best girlfriends are crazy jealous of my tiara, shoe collection, and appearance opportunities.
How lucky are we to get to dress up in fantastical gowns and sequin covered clothing, with hair and make up done up like Barbie, for a whole week?! While meeting young woman from all over the world that share similar passions and interests to promote causes like you! If you take nothing else away from this pageant, please take the opportunity to network and get to know these women who are doing BIG things in their states. The network of young professionals I have met this year is truly priceless and I have no doubts I will call on their advice and assistance in my professional future.
This is a week only 60-some girls in the world get to experience each year! Take advantage of every moment no matter how tired, cranky, or hungry you may be. It will be an intense week and you will be pushed to your limits some days by take your eyes and focus off the crown and enjoy the journey.
I am looking forward to meeting each and every one of you but please keep in mind, as the national titleholder I have to keep a bit of distance between the current contestants and myself. Please don’t take it personally if I keep our interactions short and sweet!
Best of luck to you all!
Krista Wanous
Miss International 2012
P.S. If you haven’t already, now is a great time to start collecting inspiring music, quotes or images that keep your mind focused and uplifted. Surround yourself with happiness and motivation and channel Gods calming spirit through your heart and mind.
Tuesday, 2 July 2013
Writing Your Onstage Speech
I cannot believe that the 2013 Miss Teen International pageant is only three weeks away!! Time has really flown by for me, and I know that with all of the things you have had to do in preparation for competition, you are probably really beginning to feel the pressure!
As you know, during the competition you will receive a panel interview score and an onstage interview score, which is comprised of a 30 second speech and a platform-based question. I noticed that a lot of contestants focused more on being prepared for the question than their speech. However, your speech is very important!
As Miss Teen International 2012, I have used the information in my speech on many occasions because it provides a brief yet powerful overview of my platform. As a contestant, your speech is important to you because it determines your level of confidence and calmness going into your onstage question. If you nail your speech, you are sure to be able to deliver a confident and powerful answer onstage.
A great speech has two major components: content and delivery. You should include a brief summary of what your chosen platform is and why it is an important idea or organization. In other words, look at your platform page and choose the most important information. You are allotted a 30 second time period to deliver your speech. About 3 seconds before your time is up, you will hear the faint sound of wind chimes. The audience probably does not even hear this sound, but as a contestant, the wind chimes are an extremely stressful sound. Most girls tend to speed the last line (which was probably intended to be the most powerful) up. Make sure that you do not make your speech exactly 30 seconds, so you have adequate time to clearly deliver your speech.
This brings me to the second, and most important, component of the speech: your delivery. Because you have to memorize the speech, it is very difficult to sound passionate about what you are speaking about. My mom told me that I needed to speak in such a passionate way that every member of the audience would want to take part in the Miracle League and Shane's Inspiration because even if I did not win the crown, I had the perfect opportunity to teach hundreds of people about the organizations that are so close to my heart. In my opinion, it is more important to speak clearly and from your heart than to pack in tons of information! I hope this information is helpful as you write a speech of your very own!
I am looking forward to seeing you all very, very soon!
Caroline
As you know, during the competition you will receive a panel interview score and an onstage interview score, which is comprised of a 30 second speech and a platform-based question. I noticed that a lot of contestants focused more on being prepared for the question than their speech. However, your speech is very important!
As Miss Teen International 2012, I have used the information in my speech on many occasions because it provides a brief yet powerful overview of my platform. As a contestant, your speech is important to you because it determines your level of confidence and calmness going into your onstage question. If you nail your speech, you are sure to be able to deliver a confident and powerful answer onstage.
A great speech has two major components: content and delivery. You should include a brief summary of what your chosen platform is and why it is an important idea or organization. In other words, look at your platform page and choose the most important information. You are allotted a 30 second time period to deliver your speech. About 3 seconds before your time is up, you will hear the faint sound of wind chimes. The audience probably does not even hear this sound, but as a contestant, the wind chimes are an extremely stressful sound. Most girls tend to speed the last line (which was probably intended to be the most powerful) up. Make sure that you do not make your speech exactly 30 seconds, so you have adequate time to clearly deliver your speech.
This brings me to the second, and most important, component of the speech: your delivery. Because you have to memorize the speech, it is very difficult to sound passionate about what you are speaking about. My mom told me that I needed to speak in such a passionate way that every member of the audience would want to take part in the Miracle League and Shane's Inspiration because even if I did not win the crown, I had the perfect opportunity to teach hundreds of people about the organizations that are so close to my heart. In my opinion, it is more important to speak clearly and from your heart than to pack in tons of information! I hope this information is helpful as you write a speech of your very own!
I am looking forward to seeing you all very, very soon!
Caroline
Friday, 31 May 2013
“FAQ’s” with Miss Teen International
Since the crowning of the 2013 State, Country, and Regional Titleholders, I have received so much feedback from you all! I am so glad that I am able to answer your questions and help you through this process. I have compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions that I have received to hopefully answer any further questions you may have! As always, feel free to contact me via Facebook, Twitter, or E-mail if you have any more questions.
Who is the best wardrobe designer?
I don’t really think there is an adequate answer to this question. So many different designers specialize in different aspects of the fashion world. Sherri Hill’s custom evening gowns will always be a favorite of mine. However, during competition week, I wore designs by Jovani, Fernando Wong, and even a BCBG dress I got at Lord and Taylor the day before we toured the Boys and Girls Club! The important thing is that you feel beautiful, classy, and comfortable in whatever you wear!
Do former contestants have a better chance of winning a title over a first-time contender because they have competed before?
Absolutely not! I won Miss Teen International as a first time contestant with an at-large title. Although it may be helpful to have a director or know how competition week works, all contestants are judges equally. However, I do recommend pairing up with a girl who has competed before! One of my very best friends last year had competed before, and she was a tremendous help to us all because she could prepare us for each phase of competition!
Are autograph cards really that important?
YES!!! Any item that is on your list to bring is an absolute MUST! Not only do you look unprepared if you do not bring the requested items, but you also take the chance of disappointing one of your many fans in Chicago. I have never seen children AND adults so excited to receive my autograph. It really makes their day, so PLEASE, PLEASE do not forget these!
What was the hardest phase of competition for you?
Fitness competition! I have always been very self-conscious about my body. I can’t tell you how many times I tried on my fitness outfit before competition to convince myself that I would not look completely awkward. I don’t think that any amount of crunches, early morning work-outs, or brutal runs can prepare you to flaunt your body in front of thousands of people. Again, it’s all about how YOU feel. There were TONS of girls with way more toned bodies than I had. Focus on being the complete package, rather than stressing over one particular event.
What will you miss most about being Miss Teen International 2012?
MY SISTERS! Sarah, Krista, and I have gotten the opportunity to grow extremely close this year, and I will miss seeing them as often as I do. They are both so beautiful—inside and out—and I know God has amazing plans for the rest of their lives!Caroline Crowley
Wednesday, 29 May 2013
Feeling Beautiful
I am so excited about the upcoming Miss Teen International Pageant! The more I learn about each of you and your respective platforms, the more honored I feel to represent such beautiful and accomplished young women. I want to thank you for the work you are doing to make this world a better place. Winning the title of Miss Teen International 2012 is one of the best things that have ever happened to me. I have grown so much as a person this year, because I have been able to meet people from all walks of life. I have learned so many valuable life lessons this year, which I will cherish forever!
One particular lesson, I actually learned right before I left the hotel for finals night at the 2012 pageant. I have always been extremely driven, and I never settle for less than my very best! I am generally not one to get nervous, but believe it or not, I completely fell apart in the hair and make-up chair on Saturday night! I began to question everything I did to prepare for the pageant. I wondered if my dress would impress the judges, if I was adequately knowledgeable about my platforms, if I had done enough crunches, and if I had practiced my walks enough.
Throughout the week, looking at all of the beautiful young women around me, I began to almost feel inferior. I was not sure if I was even good enough to walk across that huge stage! My mom took me into the hall and read me this verse, Psalm 139: 13-14 “For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.”
I quickly realized that no matter if I came home with the crown or not, I am still on this Earth for a purpose and my Savior, Jesus Christ, will always love me. I know that sometimes it is difficult, but try to remember that no Earthly crown or reward is ever as great as the love Christ has for you! Although winning the title of Miss Teen International 2013 would be a dream come true, you will always be a princess no matter what because you are the daughter of a merciful, forgiving, and loving King!
All my love,
Caroline
One particular lesson, I actually learned right before I left the hotel for finals night at the 2012 pageant. I have always been extremely driven, and I never settle for less than my very best! I am generally not one to get nervous, but believe it or not, I completely fell apart in the hair and make-up chair on Saturday night! I began to question everything I did to prepare for the pageant. I wondered if my dress would impress the judges, if I was adequately knowledgeable about my platforms, if I had done enough crunches, and if I had practiced my walks enough.
Throughout the week, looking at all of the beautiful young women around me, I began to almost feel inferior. I was not sure if I was even good enough to walk across that huge stage! My mom took me into the hall and read me this verse, Psalm 139: 13-14 “For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.”
I quickly realized that no matter if I came home with the crown or not, I am still on this Earth for a purpose and my Savior, Jesus Christ, will always love me. I know that sometimes it is difficult, but try to remember that no Earthly crown or reward is ever as great as the love Christ has for you! Although winning the title of Miss Teen International 2013 would be a dream come true, you will always be a princess no matter what because you are the daughter of a merciful, forgiving, and loving King!
All my love,
Caroline
Wednesday, 10 April 2013
SHINE
Having recently judged several state pageants, I had the difficult job to trying to select someone who was authentic, confident and driven. The interview portion of the process offered an opportunity to probe a bit deeper into each person, so I had more information to help me make a decision. The evening gown and fun fashion sections were difficult because there is less interaction. The audience may imagine that the judges are looking for the prettiest dress, but I was looking for someone who SHINED!
It sounds easy to walk around in pretty clothes, but the details including facial expressions, head, shoulders, arms and hands should be practiced so that during the actual performance your mind can bask in the moment. Advice, walk in your performance shoes until they feel nature. Nothing is worse than having a wobbly moment in new shoes to kill your confidence.
I can’t speak for every judge, but I looked for the basics first:
Fit:
- Does the dress fit correctly?
- Are the shoulder straps drooping or cutting in?
- Is the waist too big, too tight?
- Is the contestant stepping on the dress because it is too long?
- Is the contestant adjusting the dress as she walks?
- Is the dress too tight -pulling and creasing across the thighs?
Style:
- Every figure is different - does the style flatter the contestant’s figure?
- Is a chesty girl falling out of her gown?
- Did the petite girl choose a large print that overwhelms her?
- Is the full figured girl showing too much skin?
- Is the dress wearing the girl?
- Does the dress bring attention to her best feature?
- Can the contestant walk in the shoes with a normal gait and grace?
Then I look for the “Shine” factor:
Personality:
- Is the contestant wearing a plastered on smile that never changes with a blank look in her eyes
OR is the contestant looking at everyone in the audience, moving her head, and her body naturally?
- Does her expression change, brighten and look as though she is enjoying herself?
- Does she flirt with the audience?
- Does she model the dress and pose in a fluid fashion or does she walk, stop, and pose robotically?
- Does she look like she is scared or having the time of her life?
It sounds easy to walk around in pretty clothes, but the details including facial expressions, head, shoulders, arms and hands should be practiced so that during the actual performance your mind can bask in the moment. Advice, walk in your performance shoes until they feel nature. Nothing is worse than having a wobbly moment in new shoes to kill your confidence.
Shine on,
Krista Wanous
Miss International 2012
Tuesday, 9 April 2013
Just Be Yourself
“Just Be Yourself.” These were the words of advice that I heard as I prepared for Nationals. This message confused me, partly because I was caught between the place where I was still trying to define who I was and also trying to fit into a mold of who people wanted me to be.
Looking back I see that I didn’t understand the advice I was given initially. Knowing the judges would only have 5 minutes to discover who I was, my first thought was to try and figure out who a perfect queen would be. As I have mentioned in other blogs, I thought there was a “perfect mold”. While practicing interview questions I realized very quickly that judges are real people and they would quickly see through an empty shallow shell. That was when I had to do some real soul searching.
To discover who I really was, I needed to think beyond the next hour and the next week. I needed to stop living in only the day-to-day activities of life. I had to think about how I wanted to be perceived. Were my daily actions and decisions leading me to the kind of life I wanted or was I living minute to minute without much thought? Through honest feedback and some self-reflection, I slowly became aware of how my history had shaped me and how I could shape my future. My goals changed from vague dreams of the future, to more specific decisions with clear actions.
After I had a better idea of who I was and what I wanted, I knew that being myself was exactly the right advice. Of course, I did need to present the most polished version of myself. With the help of a video camera and watching myself speak, I quickly learned to drop the “ums..likes…and ahhs.” I realized that I didn’t always complete my thoughts and just let a sentence trail off into a “you know what I mean?” I worked on developing mental bullet points of information. Rather than focusing on specific speeches, I worked on putting my passion into my responses. Communicating my thoughts with clarity required took some work, but definitely paid off.
When you are sitting across from the judges you should be able to articulate who you really are and what’s truly important to you in a few sentences. Don’t worry about where your hands are or if you shoes are just the right shade of nude to match your tan. Focus on connecting to the person across from you, not by reciting some pre-determined message, but by sharing your truth. Relax and let the warmth of your personality come out.
My hope is that sharing my personal journey of growth will help you to enjoy yours!
XOXO
Krista Wanous
Miss International 2012
Looking back I see that I didn’t understand the advice I was given initially. Knowing the judges would only have 5 minutes to discover who I was, my first thought was to try and figure out who a perfect queen would be. As I have mentioned in other blogs, I thought there was a “perfect mold”. While practicing interview questions I realized very quickly that judges are real people and they would quickly see through an empty shallow shell. That was when I had to do some real soul searching.
To discover who I really was, I needed to think beyond the next hour and the next week. I needed to stop living in only the day-to-day activities of life. I had to think about how I wanted to be perceived. Were my daily actions and decisions leading me to the kind of life I wanted or was I living minute to minute without much thought? Through honest feedback and some self-reflection, I slowly became aware of how my history had shaped me and how I could shape my future. My goals changed from vague dreams of the future, to more specific decisions with clear actions.
After I had a better idea of who I was and what I wanted, I knew that being myself was exactly the right advice. Of course, I did need to present the most polished version of myself. With the help of a video camera and watching myself speak, I quickly learned to drop the “ums..likes…and ahhs.” I realized that I didn’t always complete my thoughts and just let a sentence trail off into a “you know what I mean?” I worked on developing mental bullet points of information. Rather than focusing on specific speeches, I worked on putting my passion into my responses. Communicating my thoughts with clarity required took some work, but definitely paid off.
When you are sitting across from the judges you should be able to articulate who you really are and what’s truly important to you in a few sentences. Don’t worry about where your hands are or if you shoes are just the right shade of nude to match your tan. Focus on connecting to the person across from you, not by reciting some pre-determined message, but by sharing your truth. Relax and let the warmth of your personality come out.
My hope is that sharing my personal journey of growth will help you to enjoy yours!
XOXO
Krista Wanous
Miss International 2012
Wednesday, 23 January 2013
Photo Shoot Tips
So far, along with Miss International 2012, Krista Wanous, and Mrs. International 2012, Sarah Bazey, we have covered several aspects of the Miss International pageant. Hopefully, we are able to use our experiences to help you better understand competition week and feel more prepared when you arrive!
One aspect we have not covered is photography! As a titleholder, you are required to submit head shots for various pages both online and in the program book.
One aspect we have not covered is photography! As a titleholder, you are required to submit head shots for various pages both online and in the program book.
If you are selected as one the 2013 International queens, you will be granted the wonderful opportunity to shoot with renowned photographer, Clay Spann! Although the concept seems simple, a great photo requires preparation. Below are some helpful tips to make the most of your future photo shoots.
- Choose a top or dress with an interesting neckline. An interesting neckline is aesthetically pleasing; it also helps focus the viewers on the most important aspect of a head shot…your face!
- Bring fun jewelry! A great way to express your personality is through accessories. I have participated in pageantry since I was a toddler. Looking back on my photos, some of my favorite included a fun headband or flashy neck piece.
- Prepare your skin, teeth, and hair several weeks before your photo shoot. Whether your hair needs a trim, you need a facial, or maybe you like to whiten your teeth, make sure you do not wait until the last minute. Sometimes, my skin reacts oddly to products I have used my whole life. Preparing in time helps ease your stress and allows you to enjoy your experience!
- Be comfortable with yourself! I often wonder if I look awkward during a photo shoot. However, I always remind myself that a great photo often involves going outside of my “comfort zone”. A unique photo requires a unique approach.
I was able to catch a glimpse of Miss Teen West Coast International’s photo shoot with Clay Spann recently.
Love,
Caroline Crowley
Love,
Caroline Crowley
Wednesday, 16 January 2013
Fun Fashion Advice
I didn’t realize how much I have learned about pageantry until I started sharing my thoughts with all of you! As I re-read my “Pre-Pageant Prep” blog I thought, oh I forgot about this or that! There are many aspects of pageantry and I would not have understood how to balance then if not for the experienced team guiding me. I hope they don’t mind that I am passing on some of their wisdom.
One of the hardest decisions for me was figuring out what to wear for the Fun Fashion portion of the competition. I was told it was “a mix between a showgirl costume and Dancing with the Stars.” Well of course, my mind started racing with ideas! Feathers, pearls, rhinestones, long skirt, short skirt, or both! The possibilities are endless.
I tried on a few interesting dresses, but nothing I found was quite giving me the look I wanted. Two months before the pageant my mom said, “Either we start making it ourselves or we buy one of the dresses we’ve tried on...” It was crunch time! We hesitantly decided to start making it ourselves. Keep in mind we have no experience making dresses especially for stage. My mom has made a few Halloween costumes throughout the years but nothing very complicated. Using the internet I picked out the fabric and color scheme and went diligently to work every night attempting to create the perfect shape and fit for my body. We covered a Victoria’s Secret Bombshell Bra with fabric so the top gave me lots of lift and the bottom was literally sewn while wrapped onto my body to get it to fit perfectly. Once we had the basic structure created I went to a local store called Crystal Couture, aka heaven, where they sell bulk Swarovski crystals. I bought as many as I could carry out of the store, went straight home and began the rhinestoning process. If you plan on rhinestoning anything, you MUST HAVE U6000 glue and long tweezers or else you will go insane. Also, I used white chalk to lightly draw out the design I wanted and wiped it away when I was finished. Using rhinestones in a mix of size and shapes creates a more appealing finished product than merely covering every square inch in the same size stones.
When I brought the barely-tacked-together costume to my pageant coach she looked at me like…”are you crazy?” I don’t think she has ever had someone compete at a national pageant with a homemade outfit. But, I was positive this was the best choice for me. Here is why…
The Fit – We designed it to make me look tall and slim. As a short girl with thick thighs, that is a difficult task to do. After working out every day and developing a decent six pack we decided I could pull off a mid-drift revealing design of some kind. We also made sure that the front of the skirt had a V-shape so it would elongate my torso and show off my abs, we curved the hem of the skirt to make my legs appear longer, and made sure we kept a sweetheart shape around the bust to make it appear shapely.
Attention short girls, I highly suggest emphasizing your natural waistline or “high waist”. The hip hugger look is not flattering on us! By raising the waistline, you give the illusion that your legs are much longer than they may actually be. The fit is so important. Even though this portion of the competition isn’t judged exactly on how your body looks, it is still going to affect the judge’s scores. So, no matter what category you are competing in, always consider how your body looks. The better your body looks, the better your scores will be overall because hey, it is still a beauty pageant.
Color is also important! Make sure you are choosing colors that flatter your skin and hair color. I chose pastel colors that made my tan pop, but still looked feminine and soft.
The Presentation – I have a flare for the dramatic and I wanted something I could play with on stage. We chose the high-low skirt design because it was really trendy in the summer of 2012. I wanted each piece of my wardrobe to be current with the season’s styles. One day while trying on my Fun Fashion, I grabbed the bottom of my train, wrapped it across my body, tucked it into my bra strap and twirled into the kitchen goofily saying, “Hey mom, should I do this on stage?” laughing and making myself look ridiculous. But then she started clapping and saying, “Yes, yes you should do that!!” I thought she was kidding but after a few trial runs and adjustments, we found out it looked really cool when I whipped the train out of my strap and “revealed” the rest of my outfit. It was like I had a little secret and then when it was my turn to perform on stage; it added excitement and definitely drama! I loved it!
Don’t be afraid to experiment a bit with the presentation of your outfit. Be creative and try a move you haven’t seen done before. This is your one and only time to be over the top, have tons of energy and spunk, and show off your personality. Do spins, turns, fancy footwork, whatever! Just make sure you are having a lot of fun because that’s what it is, Fun Fashion! Even if you don’t have the most spectacular outfit, the way your present it separates the competition, so you need to sell it, baby! Scope out Star magazine or the red carpet trends for inspiration. Put pieces you like of one dress, with pieces you like from another dress combining to make your own design. But keep in mind; it should be something flattering to your body!
The Cost – If you don’t feel comfortable making your Fun Fashion, you can hire a seamstress to make a custom outfit. Luckily, my mom was patient enough to take on the task. We saved a whole heck of a lot by making it ourselves. Some of the outfits I was thinking about buying were $1,000 - $3,000, which was more then my evening gown! I just couldn’t get myself to spend that much money on something I would only wear onstage for 3 minutes.
In total with the cost of shipping, fabric, and Swarovski rhinestones, we spent less than $500. And to top it all off, I ended up winning the award for Best Fun Fashion! I could not believe when they called me for that award. Out of all the incredible, extravagant outfits on stage, my little homemade design experiment won. I immediately gave the award to my mom and now she has it hanging in her sewing and craft room. We are so proud of her! I refer to her as Sherri Hill now, because yea, she’s that good haha.
I highly suggest getting your hands on videos of previous years to get ideas and inspiration for your own signature moves and a killer outfit!
I will be posting photos of all my competition pieces in a few weeks! Stay tuned!
Check out www.PaulaPreston.com to see pictures from the national pageant and my fun fashion outfit!
XoXo and the best of luck to you!
Krista Wanous
Miss International 2012
One of the hardest decisions for me was figuring out what to wear for the Fun Fashion portion of the competition. I was told it was “a mix between a showgirl costume and Dancing with the Stars.” Well of course, my mind started racing with ideas! Feathers, pearls, rhinestones, long skirt, short skirt, or both! The possibilities are endless.
I tried on a few interesting dresses, but nothing I found was quite giving me the look I wanted. Two months before the pageant my mom said, “Either we start making it ourselves or we buy one of the dresses we’ve tried on...” It was crunch time! We hesitantly decided to start making it ourselves. Keep in mind we have no experience making dresses especially for stage. My mom has made a few Halloween costumes throughout the years but nothing very complicated. Using the internet I picked out the fabric and color scheme and went diligently to work every night attempting to create the perfect shape and fit for my body. We covered a Victoria’s Secret Bombshell Bra with fabric so the top gave me lots of lift and the bottom was literally sewn while wrapped onto my body to get it to fit perfectly. Once we had the basic structure created I went to a local store called Crystal Couture, aka heaven, where they sell bulk Swarovski crystals. I bought as many as I could carry out of the store, went straight home and began the rhinestoning process. If you plan on rhinestoning anything, you MUST HAVE U6000 glue and long tweezers or else you will go insane. Also, I used white chalk to lightly draw out the design I wanted and wiped it away when I was finished. Using rhinestones in a mix of size and shapes creates a more appealing finished product than merely covering every square inch in the same size stones.
When I brought the barely-tacked-together costume to my pageant coach she looked at me like…”are you crazy?” I don’t think she has ever had someone compete at a national pageant with a homemade outfit. But, I was positive this was the best choice for me. Here is why…
The Fit – We designed it to make me look tall and slim. As a short girl with thick thighs, that is a difficult task to do. After working out every day and developing a decent six pack we decided I could pull off a mid-drift revealing design of some kind. We also made sure that the front of the skirt had a V-shape so it would elongate my torso and show off my abs, we curved the hem of the skirt to make my legs appear longer, and made sure we kept a sweetheart shape around the bust to make it appear shapely.
Attention short girls, I highly suggest emphasizing your natural waistline or “high waist”. The hip hugger look is not flattering on us! By raising the waistline, you give the illusion that your legs are much longer than they may actually be. The fit is so important. Even though this portion of the competition isn’t judged exactly on how your body looks, it is still going to affect the judge’s scores. So, no matter what category you are competing in, always consider how your body looks. The better your body looks, the better your scores will be overall because hey, it is still a beauty pageant.
Color is also important! Make sure you are choosing colors that flatter your skin and hair color. I chose pastel colors that made my tan pop, but still looked feminine and soft.
The Presentation – I have a flare for the dramatic and I wanted something I could play with on stage. We chose the high-low skirt design because it was really trendy in the summer of 2012. I wanted each piece of my wardrobe to be current with the season’s styles. One day while trying on my Fun Fashion, I grabbed the bottom of my train, wrapped it across my body, tucked it into my bra strap and twirled into the kitchen goofily saying, “Hey mom, should I do this on stage?” laughing and making myself look ridiculous. But then she started clapping and saying, “Yes, yes you should do that!!” I thought she was kidding but after a few trial runs and adjustments, we found out it looked really cool when I whipped the train out of my strap and “revealed” the rest of my outfit. It was like I had a little secret and then when it was my turn to perform on stage; it added excitement and definitely drama! I loved it!
Don’t be afraid to experiment a bit with the presentation of your outfit. Be creative and try a move you haven’t seen done before. This is your one and only time to be over the top, have tons of energy and spunk, and show off your personality. Do spins, turns, fancy footwork, whatever! Just make sure you are having a lot of fun because that’s what it is, Fun Fashion! Even if you don’t have the most spectacular outfit, the way your present it separates the competition, so you need to sell it, baby! Scope out Star magazine or the red carpet trends for inspiration. Put pieces you like of one dress, with pieces you like from another dress combining to make your own design. But keep in mind; it should be something flattering to your body!
The Cost – If you don’t feel comfortable making your Fun Fashion, you can hire a seamstress to make a custom outfit. Luckily, my mom was patient enough to take on the task. We saved a whole heck of a lot by making it ourselves. Some of the outfits I was thinking about buying were $1,000 - $3,000, which was more then my evening gown! I just couldn’t get myself to spend that much money on something I would only wear onstage for 3 minutes.
In total with the cost of shipping, fabric, and Swarovski rhinestones, we spent less than $500. And to top it all off, I ended up winning the award for Best Fun Fashion! I could not believe when they called me for that award. Out of all the incredible, extravagant outfits on stage, my little homemade design experiment won. I immediately gave the award to my mom and now she has it hanging in her sewing and craft room. We are so proud of her! I refer to her as Sherri Hill now, because yea, she’s that good haha.
I highly suggest getting your hands on videos of previous years to get ideas and inspiration for your own signature moves and a killer outfit!
I will be posting photos of all my competition pieces in a few weeks! Stay tuned!
Check out www.PaulaPreston.com to see pictures from the national pageant and my fun fashion outfit!
XoXo and the best of luck to you!
Krista Wanous
Miss International 2012
Wednesday, 9 January 2013
Pre- Pageant- Prep!
I have received many emails and Facebook messages from potential International titleholders asking for advice, tips, and tricks when preparing to compete in a pageant.
“Friendly Completion” is there really such a thing?
Personally, I love sharing the knowledge I have gained through competing. I didn’t hesitate to share a few posing strategies, and backcombing techniques with my fellow competition at both the state and national level. I think it is so much more rewarding to share your advice and knowledge and help the girl next to you perform at her best, than compete against someone who may not be performing at her best. For example, one of my favorite new pageant friends, Miss Haiti International 2012, did not expect to make it to the top 10 on finals night. She was so thrilled and thankful; tears were streaming down her face when she was called. However, as we lined up backstage to compete in onstage interview, she realized hadn’t prepared anything because she didn’t think she would even make it that far in the competition! When she told me she wasn’t prepared I started panicking for her. I wanted her to do well because she was such a wonderful titleholder and would certainly make an excellent Miss International. Literally, 30 seconds before she went on stage I helped her figure out a few specific speaking points that would impress the judges and she totally nailed it and the crowd went wild! I was so excited for her and the competitive edge of pageantry was completely absent from my mind. I was simply proud of my fellow pageant sister and wanted the best for her. I think that is what defines a queen; looking out for others, helping and giving with no concern for yourself, making sure you are a person of integrity and true character, always putting others needs before your own. I easily could have said, “your didn’t prepare? Too bad for you…” but that just would not have rested comfortably on my heart. Miss Haiti thanked me over and over for helping her and she was equally supportive of me during the rest of the competition. Being nasty, sizing up the completion or deliberately leaving a fellow pageant sister out to dry, is just not what pageantry should be. Pageantry is a place for women to unite and be rewarded and recognized for their intelligence, accomplishments, and beauty. We need to stick together and support one another instead of tearing each other down and constantly comparing. If you act his way, you will be missing out on creating sincerely loving friendships you could never find anywhere else than a pageant. Pageant girls are a breed of their own and making friends with women who are passionate about volunteerism, education, rhinestones, and stilettos, is just plain fabulous! If most of you are like me, my non-pageant friends are like, “…Ummm why are you so dressed up...?” Pageant girls, NEED pageant friends. Trust me. So, be nice, make friends, and sincerely care about the success of your competition. It makes it that much sweeter when it is your time to shine.
Perfecting Preparations
1 year – 6 months before:
Make a website! It is so important and one of the first things you should do when entering the international system. By having a website (that is kept up to date) you can open doors you never expected. I like www.weebly.com and www.wix.com . both of these sites make is easy and user friendly to create and edit your personal website. Make sure you set the settings to “google searchable”. If you can afford it, pay a little extra for the memberships that allow you to make your own domain name for example, www.KristaWanous.com or http://kristawanous.wix.com/missstcloud that way, when your name or title is googled by judges, sponsors or appearance coordinators, they will find you! I have had so many appearances randomly pop up because people found my website. My Teen MN Gabby Taylor's website was found by WCCO News when they googled “cheerleading injuries” and she ended up getting to do an interview on the news. Way cool! It might seem like a pain in the butt and time consuming but it is so worth it. I also suggest linking a blog to your personal website so judges can see what you have been doing and hopefully you can impresses them with all of your involvement in the community or platform. When I wanted to be Miss MN Intl, I copied everything the current Miss MN Intl was doing. I wanted to show the judges I capable of doing her job, and was already doing it! Choose to act today, for the job you want tomorrow. Watch videos of past International pageants. I went to the International pageant when Jurnee Carr and Ciji Dodds were crowned to figure out what exactly the International system was looking for in a queen. I watched past videos of the state Intl competition constantly, like seriously, all the time, everyday. I knew the video so well, that when I got to the actual competition, it felt familiar. I already knew the walking routines and the way the show was set up so when I actually performed my mind wasn’t distracted with, “where am I supposed to stand?? Which way do I exit the stage? Do your homework ladies, study past queens as much as possible.
Clean up your Facebook. I know many girls don’t think about their Facebook but anything can be found on the Internet. If you have any inappropriate or un-queenly photos, quotes, or comments, delete them. When you become a titleholder, you are always a titleholder, on stage, off stage, at home, out with friends, even at the grocery store. You represent and will create an image that reflects on all titleholders, all pageants, and most of all, you. By creating a positive and neutral persona online, will help your chances with the judges because they do look for websites and Facebooks. In the past, I have judged pageants and looked up every contestants Facebook pages, twitters, instagrams... pretty much anything I could find on the internet about them. Boy was I surprised! Some girls had underage drinking photos, and other very inappropriate things I probably shouldn’t mention here.. but the point is, it completely turned me off from some of the contestants that I felt would make great titleholders based on their paperwork, bios, and platform work. Because I found some bad pics and status updates, I ended up not giving them high scores because I felt they were irresponsible in their “real life”. The point is, be the queen, all day, every day, in all aspect of your life.
6 months – 3 months before: Appearances appearances, appearances. If you haven’t already, which I hope you have, you should be obsessed with finding new and creative ways to promote your platform. It is crunch time. Make sure you have or will be involved in three big deal events or campaigns related to your platform. The judges will want to know what you have been doing and being able to list three things you are proud of is necessary to keep in your interview rolodex. Continue updating your website and blog! And start shopping for the perfect wardrobe and competition pieces. If you can, attend a trunk show and speak to fashion reps about upcoming trends and styles. Order your dresses with enough time to alter. Some gowns can take up to 10 weeks to arrive plus you might need alterations so start at least 11 weeks before for wardrobe. Start a great work out and diet plan. Follow my blog in the next upcoming weeks for details about wardrobe and fitness.
3 months -1 month before: Finalize wardrobe and work on alterations. If you are like me and you have an uncommon body shape, mine being short and stubby, get your clothing fitted by an alterations or seamstress. Even a quarter of an inch can make a huge difference when on stage. Make sure the hem of your gown and long dresses actually touch the ground. There is nothing I hate more than an evening gown that is too short and shows your shoes when you are standing still. Your shoes should only be visible when you are walking. To keep from stepping on the hem, practice walking before with your competition shoes on. Lightly flick your foot out as you step to keep the gown from creeping under your feet. More information about evening gowns next week. Keep working out and sticking to your diet! Set fitness and diet goals to keep you motivated. I had a goal to be able to bench press my own body weight by the time I got to nationals because I though it would be a cool fun fact. It really kept me excited to get in the gym every day and even though I didn’t quite reach that goal, at least I got close. (90-pound bench press, woop woop!) At this point you should be living and breathing pageant. I highly suggest mock interviewing. I started working on my interview and public speaking skills about 9 months before my pageant and it paid off! Even if you think you are well versed on your platform and a confident speaker, you still need to practice. Also you should be making final edits to your paperwork, bio and platform sheets. Make sure there are no typos!! And remember, the judges will critique how orderly, comprehensive, and well written you paperwork is. I even give extra points for paperwork printed on high quality paper. Its just another chance to show the judges how dedicated, prepared, and qualified for the title. Make you paperwork reflect who you are as a professional.
1 month- 2 weeks before: Make a list of all the events going on during the week of the pageant. Make an excel spreadsheet of all the different events matched up with the dress, undergarments, jewelry and shoes you will need. This seems excessive but trust me, when you only have 10 mins to change and be ready for the next event, it s important to be organized. I even had separate garment bags associated with each day of competition with everything I needed in them that day. Tuesday, I grabbed the garment bag labeled Tuesday, laid everything in it on the bed, and then referred to my spreadsheet between each event to make sure I had the right dress, and accessories. It made everything move quickly and without stress. If you aren’t familiar with pageant hair and makeup, meet with a professional. I know I tend to like trendy make up rather than flattering stage make up so learning how to do my make up differently was difficult. With the help of a professional to point out why a thin eye liner instead of a thick liner for example, was better for my face, helped me create a new and more polished look.
1 week before - a few days before: Get really strict with diet and working out. This is the time to make sure everything is in order, you are prepared in every aspect and you are ready for a crown! Practice interview questions like a crazy person. As silly as it sounds, I interviewed myself in the car constantly. Talking to myself seems silly but it helped me keep my thoughts and bullet points organized. I also made sure that I could answer the same question multiple ways while still getting the same information out. In the past, a judge has literally asked me the same question twice in a row just to make sure I wasn’t memorizing my answers. Make sure you are keeping your skin moisturized and clean. I have terrible oily skin and constantly break out so I was doing face masks and deep exfoliations every night to make sure my skin was flawless during completion. What you do to you face, now, is how it will look next week.
The day before: Get a spray tan, drink tons of water, and get a solid night of rest. Pack up your wardrobe in the car and keep your social networks, sponsors and supporters updated with your progress. Take pictures of yourself getting ready and preparing. I have a picture of myself in front of my thousands of bags of luggage before leaving for nationals, and a picture of my tiny car jammed with all those bags as I drove out of the driveway. It is one of my favorite memories. Live in the moment and be thankful for where you are in your life. Cherish every second of this incredible journey.
For the next few weeks I will be getting more in depth with all areas of pageant competition such as evening gown, fun fashion, fitness, and interview. Keep following to get Miss Internationals best tips and tricks! :)
XO,
Krista Wanous
Miss International 2012
“Friendly Completion” is there really such a thing?
Personally, I love sharing the knowledge I have gained through competing. I didn’t hesitate to share a few posing strategies, and backcombing techniques with my fellow competition at both the state and national level. I think it is so much more rewarding to share your advice and knowledge and help the girl next to you perform at her best, than compete against someone who may not be performing at her best. For example, one of my favorite new pageant friends, Miss Haiti International 2012, did not expect to make it to the top 10 on finals night. She was so thrilled and thankful; tears were streaming down her face when she was called. However, as we lined up backstage to compete in onstage interview, she realized hadn’t prepared anything because she didn’t think she would even make it that far in the competition! When she told me she wasn’t prepared I started panicking for her. I wanted her to do well because she was such a wonderful titleholder and would certainly make an excellent Miss International. Literally, 30 seconds before she went on stage I helped her figure out a few specific speaking points that would impress the judges and she totally nailed it and the crowd went wild! I was so excited for her and the competitive edge of pageantry was completely absent from my mind. I was simply proud of my fellow pageant sister and wanted the best for her. I think that is what defines a queen; looking out for others, helping and giving with no concern for yourself, making sure you are a person of integrity and true character, always putting others needs before your own. I easily could have said, “your didn’t prepare? Too bad for you…” but that just would not have rested comfortably on my heart. Miss Haiti thanked me over and over for helping her and she was equally supportive of me during the rest of the competition. Being nasty, sizing up the completion or deliberately leaving a fellow pageant sister out to dry, is just not what pageantry should be. Pageantry is a place for women to unite and be rewarded and recognized for their intelligence, accomplishments, and beauty. We need to stick together and support one another instead of tearing each other down and constantly comparing. If you act his way, you will be missing out on creating sincerely loving friendships you could never find anywhere else than a pageant. Pageant girls are a breed of their own and making friends with women who are passionate about volunteerism, education, rhinestones, and stilettos, is just plain fabulous! If most of you are like me, my non-pageant friends are like, “…Ummm why are you so dressed up...?” Pageant girls, NEED pageant friends. Trust me. So, be nice, make friends, and sincerely care about the success of your competition. It makes it that much sweeter when it is your time to shine.
Perfecting Preparations
1 year – 6 months before:
Make a website! It is so important and one of the first things you should do when entering the international system. By having a website (that is kept up to date) you can open doors you never expected. I like www.weebly.com and www.wix.com . both of these sites make is easy and user friendly to create and edit your personal website. Make sure you set the settings to “google searchable”. If you can afford it, pay a little extra for the memberships that allow you to make your own domain name for example, www.KristaWanous.com or http://kristawanous.wix.com/missstcloud that way, when your name or title is googled by judges, sponsors or appearance coordinators, they will find you! I have had so many appearances randomly pop up because people found my website. My Teen MN Gabby Taylor's website was found by WCCO News when they googled “cheerleading injuries” and she ended up getting to do an interview on the news. Way cool! It might seem like a pain in the butt and time consuming but it is so worth it. I also suggest linking a blog to your personal website so judges can see what you have been doing and hopefully you can impresses them with all of your involvement in the community or platform. When I wanted to be Miss MN Intl, I copied everything the current Miss MN Intl was doing. I wanted to show the judges I capable of doing her job, and was already doing it! Choose to act today, for the job you want tomorrow. Watch videos of past International pageants. I went to the International pageant when Jurnee Carr and Ciji Dodds were crowned to figure out what exactly the International system was looking for in a queen. I watched past videos of the state Intl competition constantly, like seriously, all the time, everyday. I knew the video so well, that when I got to the actual competition, it felt familiar. I already knew the walking routines and the way the show was set up so when I actually performed my mind wasn’t distracted with, “where am I supposed to stand?? Which way do I exit the stage? Do your homework ladies, study past queens as much as possible.
Clean up your Facebook. I know many girls don’t think about their Facebook but anything can be found on the Internet. If you have any inappropriate or un-queenly photos, quotes, or comments, delete them. When you become a titleholder, you are always a titleholder, on stage, off stage, at home, out with friends, even at the grocery store. You represent and will create an image that reflects on all titleholders, all pageants, and most of all, you. By creating a positive and neutral persona online, will help your chances with the judges because they do look for websites and Facebooks. In the past, I have judged pageants and looked up every contestants Facebook pages, twitters, instagrams... pretty much anything I could find on the internet about them. Boy was I surprised! Some girls had underage drinking photos, and other very inappropriate things I probably shouldn’t mention here.. but the point is, it completely turned me off from some of the contestants that I felt would make great titleholders based on their paperwork, bios, and platform work. Because I found some bad pics and status updates, I ended up not giving them high scores because I felt they were irresponsible in their “real life”. The point is, be the queen, all day, every day, in all aspect of your life.
6 months – 3 months before: Appearances appearances, appearances. If you haven’t already, which I hope you have, you should be obsessed with finding new and creative ways to promote your platform. It is crunch time. Make sure you have or will be involved in three big deal events or campaigns related to your platform. The judges will want to know what you have been doing and being able to list three things you are proud of is necessary to keep in your interview rolodex. Continue updating your website and blog! And start shopping for the perfect wardrobe and competition pieces. If you can, attend a trunk show and speak to fashion reps about upcoming trends and styles. Order your dresses with enough time to alter. Some gowns can take up to 10 weeks to arrive plus you might need alterations so start at least 11 weeks before for wardrobe. Start a great work out and diet plan. Follow my blog in the next upcoming weeks for details about wardrobe and fitness.
3 months -1 month before: Finalize wardrobe and work on alterations. If you are like me and you have an uncommon body shape, mine being short and stubby, get your clothing fitted by an alterations or seamstress. Even a quarter of an inch can make a huge difference when on stage. Make sure the hem of your gown and long dresses actually touch the ground. There is nothing I hate more than an evening gown that is too short and shows your shoes when you are standing still. Your shoes should only be visible when you are walking. To keep from stepping on the hem, practice walking before with your competition shoes on. Lightly flick your foot out as you step to keep the gown from creeping under your feet. More information about evening gowns next week. Keep working out and sticking to your diet! Set fitness and diet goals to keep you motivated. I had a goal to be able to bench press my own body weight by the time I got to nationals because I though it would be a cool fun fact. It really kept me excited to get in the gym every day and even though I didn’t quite reach that goal, at least I got close. (90-pound bench press, woop woop!) At this point you should be living and breathing pageant. I highly suggest mock interviewing. I started working on my interview and public speaking skills about 9 months before my pageant and it paid off! Even if you think you are well versed on your platform and a confident speaker, you still need to practice. Also you should be making final edits to your paperwork, bio and platform sheets. Make sure there are no typos!! And remember, the judges will critique how orderly, comprehensive, and well written you paperwork is. I even give extra points for paperwork printed on high quality paper. Its just another chance to show the judges how dedicated, prepared, and qualified for the title. Make you paperwork reflect who you are as a professional.
1 month- 2 weeks before: Make a list of all the events going on during the week of the pageant. Make an excel spreadsheet of all the different events matched up with the dress, undergarments, jewelry and shoes you will need. This seems excessive but trust me, when you only have 10 mins to change and be ready for the next event, it s important to be organized. I even had separate garment bags associated with each day of competition with everything I needed in them that day. Tuesday, I grabbed the garment bag labeled Tuesday, laid everything in it on the bed, and then referred to my spreadsheet between each event to make sure I had the right dress, and accessories. It made everything move quickly and without stress. If you aren’t familiar with pageant hair and makeup, meet with a professional. I know I tend to like trendy make up rather than flattering stage make up so learning how to do my make up differently was difficult. With the help of a professional to point out why a thin eye liner instead of a thick liner for example, was better for my face, helped me create a new and more polished look.
1 week before - a few days before: Get really strict with diet and working out. This is the time to make sure everything is in order, you are prepared in every aspect and you are ready for a crown! Practice interview questions like a crazy person. As silly as it sounds, I interviewed myself in the car constantly. Talking to myself seems silly but it helped me keep my thoughts and bullet points organized. I also made sure that I could answer the same question multiple ways while still getting the same information out. In the past, a judge has literally asked me the same question twice in a row just to make sure I wasn’t memorizing my answers. Make sure you are keeping your skin moisturized and clean. I have terrible oily skin and constantly break out so I was doing face masks and deep exfoliations every night to make sure my skin was flawless during completion. What you do to you face, now, is how it will look next week.
The day before: Get a spray tan, drink tons of water, and get a solid night of rest. Pack up your wardrobe in the car and keep your social networks, sponsors and supporters updated with your progress. Take pictures of yourself getting ready and preparing. I have a picture of myself in front of my thousands of bags of luggage before leaving for nationals, and a picture of my tiny car jammed with all those bags as I drove out of the driveway. It is one of my favorite memories. Live in the moment and be thankful for where you are in your life. Cherish every second of this incredible journey.
For the next few weeks I will be getting more in depth with all areas of pageant competition such as evening gown, fun fashion, fitness, and interview. Keep following to get Miss Internationals best tips and tricks! :)
XO,
Krista Wanous
Miss International 2012
Tuesday, 26 June 2012
The Biggest Lesson That I've Learned
Everyone’s pageantry journey is different. I’ve had my fair share of highs and lows but the one thing that has remained constant is that I’ve had a set of cheerleaders who have encouraged me every step of the way. I often joke that they are Team Ciji. We have a team bus. Either you are on the bus or you are off the bus, but no matter what, the bus keeps going and will reach its destination. I have seen my fair share of criticism, some deserved and some undeserved, but the biggest lesson that I’ve learned is best articulated by Joel Osteen in his book Every Day A Friday. That lesson is to Stay the High Road.
He said it best. “Don’t be distracted. God has already lined up the right people to celebrate you, the right people who will cheer you on and help you fulfill your destiny. If you want to live in victory, you have to be very careful with your time and attention.” The older I get and the more I encounter peaks and valleys, the more I realize that this statement is true. I felt compelled to share this with you all because I know what it feels like to compete. I know what it feels like to give your all and constantly strive to be and give your best, only to be criticized. No matter what, don’t be disheartened. As long as you are kind and work hard, you will be blessed.
All the Best,
Ciji Dodds
Miss International 2011
He said it best. “Don’t be distracted. God has already lined up the right people to celebrate you, the right people who will cheer you on and help you fulfill your destiny. If you want to live in victory, you have to be very careful with your time and attention.” The older I get and the more I encounter peaks and valleys, the more I realize that this statement is true. I felt compelled to share this with you all because I know what it feels like to compete. I know what it feels like to give your all and constantly strive to be and give your best, only to be criticized. No matter what, don’t be disheartened. As long as you are kind and work hard, you will be blessed.
All the Best,
Ciji Dodds
Miss International 2011
Tuesday, 29 May 2012
My Top 5 Pageant Tips and Tricks
You would think that by now I would be accustomed to people asking me for advice. I’m not, at all. I still feel weird giving it, but at the same time I realize that if someone is asking me it’s because they trust my opinion. As national’s nears my inbox is getting fuller and fuller. Some questions are recurring and I’ve decided to answer them below.
1. How do you manage appearances while preparing for Nationals?
Do not over exert yourself or else by the time you get to Chicago, you will be wiped out. Make sure your schedule is manageable and affords you plenty of time to do the necessary prep work and keep appearances. The month before Nationals I didn’t make any appearances after July 10, if I remember correctly. I did this to give me time to decompress and to take care of tasks such as alterations, cosmetic appointments, and shopping for last minute wardrobe items. Small tasks such as running to your seamstress takes time, my advice, take as many pieces as possible at one time. You will cut down on gas and headaches. Things can get crazy, but above all else make sure you get enough rest. If you don’t slow down, your body will do it for you, and you don’t want that.
2. What advice do you have regarding interview questions?
Answer the questions. I don’t know how else to say it.
3. I’m having trouble with wardrobe, any tips on how to manage it?
Wardrobe is the never-ending nightmare. My number 1 tip, wear what makes you feel BEAUTIFUL. Pack as few shoes as possible. I love shoes and when I was told to do this I thought I would pass out. However, shoes take up precious space and they make your luggage heavy. Find a couple versatile pairs and make it happen.
As far as organization, make a wardrobe chart, complete with everything from the type of event to accessories and undergarments. You will thank me when you are packing! Also, as a general rule I always pack a couple extra cocktail dresses and an extra evening gown just in case.
4. How do I work on stage presence?
Video tape yourself and have someone who is brutally honest critique you, whether it is your coach, director or friend. Watching yourself is eye opening. So many things can be fixed just by watching yourself on video.
5. I heard that contestants are really busy during Nationals, how do you stay on top of everything?
Organization, organization, organization. When I got to my hotel room, the first thing I did was unpack and hang all my items on a travel clothes bar in accordance with my wardrobe sheet. I steamed and ironed everything at one time. You won’t have the time or energy to steam and iron on a daily basis. If you take care of it first thing, you will save time and frustration. Being on time is extremely important, so it is imperative that you can make quick changes with little fuss. Also, after every event, I immediately prepped for the next one before I did anything else. It’s been my experience that preparation and organization calms the nerves.
Best,
Ciji Dodds
Miss International 2011
1. How do you manage appearances while preparing for Nationals?
Do not over exert yourself or else by the time you get to Chicago, you will be wiped out. Make sure your schedule is manageable and affords you plenty of time to do the necessary prep work and keep appearances. The month before Nationals I didn’t make any appearances after July 10, if I remember correctly. I did this to give me time to decompress and to take care of tasks such as alterations, cosmetic appointments, and shopping for last minute wardrobe items. Small tasks such as running to your seamstress takes time, my advice, take as many pieces as possible at one time. You will cut down on gas and headaches. Things can get crazy, but above all else make sure you get enough rest. If you don’t slow down, your body will do it for you, and you don’t want that.
2. What advice do you have regarding interview questions?
Answer the questions. I don’t know how else to say it.
3. I’m having trouble with wardrobe, any tips on how to manage it?
Wardrobe is the never-ending nightmare. My number 1 tip, wear what makes you feel BEAUTIFUL. Pack as few shoes as possible. I love shoes and when I was told to do this I thought I would pass out. However, shoes take up precious space and they make your luggage heavy. Find a couple versatile pairs and make it happen.
As far as organization, make a wardrobe chart, complete with everything from the type of event to accessories and undergarments. You will thank me when you are packing! Also, as a general rule I always pack a couple extra cocktail dresses and an extra evening gown just in case.
4. How do I work on stage presence?
Video tape yourself and have someone who is brutally honest critique you, whether it is your coach, director or friend. Watching yourself is eye opening. So many things can be fixed just by watching yourself on video.
5. I heard that contestants are really busy during Nationals, how do you stay on top of everything?
Organization, organization, organization. When I got to my hotel room, the first thing I did was unpack and hang all my items on a travel clothes bar in accordance with my wardrobe sheet. I steamed and ironed everything at one time. You won’t have the time or energy to steam and iron on a daily basis. If you take care of it first thing, you will save time and frustration. Being on time is extremely important, so it is imperative that you can make quick changes with little fuss. Also, after every event, I immediately prepped for the next one before I did anything else. It’s been my experience that preparation and organization calms the nerves.
Best,
Ciji Dodds
Miss International 2011
Friday, 25 May 2012
Fit Fitness Into Your Schedule
The countdown has begun! For many of you, wedging a workout into your daily schedule may be a little stressful. My advice is to take a deep breath and have an Oreo.
I’ll share with you a life-changing hurdle I ran into while training for the Mrs. International Pageant. I had progressively altered the time of day when I ingested good carbs. So, this time last year, I would eat all my carbs for the day before 10am. I had significantly reduced my dairy intake, and increased my intake of protein and vegetables. So what happened? I started to lose too much cushion in my joints to the point they were aching. Not good. Luckily, my trainers were in sync with my conditioning and we revised my nutrition plan, by adding one day of enjoying junk food. (‘Junkfood Janet’ was a nickname my husband gave me on these days.)
My other hurdle was time. Being me, I had scheduled all my workouts, and of course, life had a different plan. Some days, I only had enough time to do a 5-minute warm-up and 10-minutes of weight training. Was that enough? Yes. Every workout, counts. And, on days when I was dealing with soreness, I took the day off from training. My trainers reinforced the need for me to “stay positive.” Stressing about “not” working out can do more harm than actually, not working out.
On Saturday, July 21, we will have crowned the new Mrs. International. You want to be that woman sporting the crown, so don’t give up – but also make sure to take care of yourself.
Janet Bolin
I’ll share with you a life-changing hurdle I ran into while training for the Mrs. International Pageant. I had progressively altered the time of day when I ingested good carbs. So, this time last year, I would eat all my carbs for the day before 10am. I had significantly reduced my dairy intake, and increased my intake of protein and vegetables. So what happened? I started to lose too much cushion in my joints to the point they were aching. Not good. Luckily, my trainers were in sync with my conditioning and we revised my nutrition plan, by adding one day of enjoying junk food. (‘Junkfood Janet’ was a nickname my husband gave me on these days.)
My other hurdle was time. Being me, I had scheduled all my workouts, and of course, life had a different plan. Some days, I only had enough time to do a 5-minute warm-up and 10-minutes of weight training. Was that enough? Yes. Every workout, counts. And, on days when I was dealing with soreness, I took the day off from training. My trainers reinforced the need for me to “stay positive.” Stressing about “not” working out can do more harm than actually, not working out.
On Saturday, July 21, we will have crowned the new Mrs. International. You want to be that woman sporting the crown, so don’t give up – but also make sure to take care of yourself.
Janet Bolin
Saturday, 19 May 2012
Focus on Winning
Less than two months left before Mrs. International 2012 is crowned! I took a look back at my binder of notes from this time, last year, and thought I'd share a few notes with you all. If you are reading this, and you are a contestant, parent or husband, hopefully this helps with any butterflies you may have about the upcoming competition.
I had an extensive checklist and timeline as to when I anticipated completing this list. Needless to say, life "re-organized" this schedule I had laid out for myself. Not to worry, it all worked out.
If there are tasks you need to accomplish, or something on your personal checklist is not working out - its ok. Take a deep breath, maybe sleep on it, or jump on the StairMaster. (Sometimes I think better when I am on the StairMaster. It's just my thing.)
Every time I started to feel anxious about the competition, I did one of 3 things: (1) Re-read chapters of the book, The Psychology Of Winning, (2) Re-focused myself to write down my thoughts on current issues in my binder, or (3) jumped on the StairMaster. I found it was much healthier for me to focus on things I could control, instead if stressing about the unknown. (My husband, being an engineer, was a big supporter of this mindset.)
Remember to surround yourself with positive people, and positive things will happen for you. Negative influences are all around us. While we can't control those people, we can control how we react to them. By focusing on yourself, your goals and your mission, you won't be bothered by negativity. (And, you probably won't notice it is going on around you.)
I wish you all the best in your quest for the crown. You're almost there You can do it!
Janet Bolin
I had an extensive checklist and timeline as to when I anticipated completing this list. Needless to say, life "re-organized" this schedule I had laid out for myself. Not to worry, it all worked out.
If there are tasks you need to accomplish, or something on your personal checklist is not working out - its ok. Take a deep breath, maybe sleep on it, or jump on the StairMaster. (Sometimes I think better when I am on the StairMaster. It's just my thing.)
Every time I started to feel anxious about the competition, I did one of 3 things: (1) Re-read chapters of the book, The Psychology Of Winning, (2) Re-focused myself to write down my thoughts on current issues in my binder, or (3) jumped on the StairMaster. I found it was much healthier for me to focus on things I could control, instead if stressing about the unknown. (My husband, being an engineer, was a big supporter of this mindset.)
Remember to surround yourself with positive people, and positive things will happen for you. Negative influences are all around us. While we can't control those people, we can control how we react to them. By focusing on yourself, your goals and your mission, you won't be bothered by negativity. (And, you probably won't notice it is going on around you.)
I wish you all the best in your quest for the crown. You're almost there You can do it!
Janet Bolin
Friday, 11 May 2012
Mother's Day Weekend
I have a fabulous Mother. She’s a high school art teacher who loves teaching and inspiring the creativity in each student who participates in her class. She also continues to be one of the most kind, caring, considerate, trustworthy and motivational people in my life.
Cheryl (Corder) Risner when she competed in pageants.
As we head into Mother’s Day Weekend, I share with you a little piece of inspiration I received from my mother as I was preparing for the Mrs. International Pageant. She reminded that just like in my younger years competing in pageants and dance competitions, I should treasure the friendships I develop in my journey. She couldn’t have been more right. She also said to be the same person on-stage as you are off-stage and don’t hold back from sharing your enthusiasm and passion for your platform. Right again. Thanks, Mom.
Happy Mother’s Day to you all.
Janet Bolin
Tuesday, 24 April 2012
Competing is a Privilege- Winning is an Honor
Throughout the past year, you can only imagine the amount of time that I have spent speaking with titleholders and contestants. As someone who has competed, won, and now as a titleholder and frequent judge, I know what it feels like to be caught up in competition mode. Or, as I like to call it, Pageant Land. Pageant Land is a place where reason takes a back seat and insecurities take the wheel.
You overanalyze your clothes, which tends to make you spend beyond your means. You overanalyze your hair. You start looking at the other contestants’ headshots. You drill yourself on interview questions and beg your coach for more tips. You watch past pageants over and over again. You second guess your platform. You psych yourself out and practice envisioning yourself being crowned. You don’t think about the day after and what it will feel like if you don’t. And Pageant Land is made all the crazier by the fact that 9 times out of 10, you’re hungry J ALL OF THE TIME!
The problem is, you get so caught up in doing whatever it takes to win that you forget that the act of competing, in and of itself, is a privilege- winning is an honor. There are so many girls and women who would love to compete in a pageant but, due to circumstances beyond their control, they can’t. All they want is a shot. What many don’t realize is that by merely showing up, they are living out someone’s dreams…
As you all prepare for Nationals and your state pageants, please remember to keep all of this in perspective. It’s not about whether you win or lose. It’s about whether you made an impact with your platform & whether you challenged yourself to grow as a person. Your biggest competition is staring at you in the mirror.
Best,
Ciji Dodds
Miss International 2011
Thursday, 5 April 2012
BLT (Butt, Legs & Thighs)
As a certified fitness instructor for almost 20 years, I can attest that no two people will react the same way with a workout. It is always recommended to see your doctor before starting any fitness regimen. After you’ve checked that off the list, please continue reading.
Gravity and time are not on our side. For me, lunges and squats are a daily requirement. After designing and teaching a variety of lower body fitness classes, or BLT (Butt-Legs-Thighs) Classes as we like to call them, I believe lunges and squats are truly magnificent for your backside. My suggestion is to pick out two (2) songs you like and then proceed: Lunges for the duration of the first song, Squats throughout the second song.
How do you not get bored? Easy. You can change up the timing. For example: 2-counts down, 2-counts up. Then, 3-counts down, 1-count up. The “killer” is 4-counts down, hold for 8-counts, and 4-counts up. You can also opt to do these standing on, or lunging off of the BOSU Balance Trainer. And, you can always add weights. After a 3-4 minute song, you should feel magnificent!
Do you need a mirror? No. Just make sure to keep these three things in mind: (1) knees in line with your ankles (or behind your toes), (2) chest lifted, (3) torso long and tall. Please avoid what I call “the duck,” which as you can imagine is when someone mistakenly leans their chest forward on the down movement and then swings it back on the upward movement. (Not pretty, or flattering and you could seriously injure yourself.)
I hope this helps you in your preparation. Remember, you’ve got to ‘work it’ to improve it. You’ll be great!
Janet Bolin
Gravity and time are not on our side. For me, lunges and squats are a daily requirement. After designing and teaching a variety of lower body fitness classes, or BLT (Butt-Legs-Thighs) Classes as we like to call them, I believe lunges and squats are truly magnificent for your backside. My suggestion is to pick out two (2) songs you like and then proceed: Lunges for the duration of the first song, Squats throughout the second song.
How do you not get bored? Easy. You can change up the timing. For example: 2-counts down, 2-counts up. Then, 3-counts down, 1-count up. The “killer” is 4-counts down, hold for 8-counts, and 4-counts up. You can also opt to do these standing on, or lunging off of the BOSU Balance Trainer. And, you can always add weights. After a 3-4 minute song, you should feel magnificent!
Do you need a mirror? No. Just make sure to keep these three things in mind: (1) knees in line with your ankles (or behind your toes), (2) chest lifted, (3) torso long and tall. Please avoid what I call “the duck,” which as you can imagine is when someone mistakenly leans their chest forward on the down movement and then swings it back on the upward movement. (Not pretty, or flattering and you could seriously injure yourself.)
I hope this helps you in your preparation. Remember, you’ve got to ‘work it’ to improve it. You’ll be great!
Janet Bolin
Wednesday, 4 April 2012
Fitness Hurdles
With 15 weeks remaining until we crown Mrs. International 2012, I thought I’d share a few motivational fitness tips. If you are like me, and were crowned early in the year, you probably dove right into preparing, physically, for the National Pageant. With that said, you may have already achieved your fitness goals, but realize there are still 15 weeks until the competition starts. So what do you do? Here are my suggestions.
First, ask yourself (or your trainer) if you’ve tried all the variations of training methods for your muscle groups. Chances are you may just want to spice up your training schedule and/or try a couple different variations or fitness toys such as the BOSU Balance Trainer. Second, research fitness classes that peak your interest. For me, I added yoga and pilates classes into my workout and I really enjoyed it – both physically and mentally. Next, look at your nutrition plan. You may want to try new forms of protein, grains or veggies.
My last piece of advice is to take a vacation – mental or physical. You may want to just take a week off from training and spend each day stretching. By giving yourself time to reflect, may offer you that extra jolt to be able to jump back into your routine.
Janet Bolin
First, ask yourself (or your trainer) if you’ve tried all the variations of training methods for your muscle groups. Chances are you may just want to spice up your training schedule and/or try a couple different variations or fitness toys such as the BOSU Balance Trainer. Second, research fitness classes that peak your interest. For me, I added yoga and pilates classes into my workout and I really enjoyed it – both physically and mentally. Next, look at your nutrition plan. You may want to try new forms of protein, grains or veggies.
My last piece of advice is to take a vacation – mental or physical. You may want to just take a week off from training and spend each day stretching. By giving yourself time to reflect, may offer you that extra jolt to be able to jump back into your routine.
Janet Bolin
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