Contestant's Corner: What should a contestant consider when selecting a pageant???

The new year is almost here !!! This is the time where pageant systems are start recruiting contestants for their 2007 events. Pageant magazines and calendars provide a wealth of all the possible pageants that one might participate in. With so many pageants to chose from, how does select the proper pageant to compete in? In this article I plan to take a look at what criteria contestants should look at before selecting a pageant.

1) Select a pageant that best caters to you. Today one can find a variety of diverse pageants to choose from. Today you can choose from Ms, Miss, Mrs, Senior, Teen, Ethnic, Plus Size, International and World Pageants just to name a few. Also these pageants may also focus to difference aspects of a competition. Meaning. One pageant may focus more on physical fitness where as another may focus more the interview and public speaking. For those who have extraordinary talent, choose a pageant that offers a talent competition. By selecting the right pageant competiton, you are insuring that the time spent preparing, practicing, and participating will be a stress free experience.

2) Consider the location of the pageant competition. Let’s say for a moment that you reside in Denver, Colorado and the Pageant is in Tampa, Florida or better yet Japan. After you initial excitement of traveling a beautiful destination, consider this question? How long will I need to be away? Most state and local pageants may require that you stay for a day up to weekend for competitions. National, International or World Pageants may have you stay up to a week or more. Most of us have obligations that may hinder us from staying for and extended period of time. Find out as soon as possible what the pageant itinerary is so you can make the proper arrangement with work, or school.

3) Consider the amount of time that you have to prepare for the pageant. Many people have different opinons as to how much time is needed to prepare for a pageant. This is what I say. To properly prepare for a pageant one should give them selves no less that six months. This holds even truer for first time pageant contestants. There are so many areas that need developing. Among these are platform, talent, interviewing skills, etiquette, public speaking, physical talent, pageant attire selection, proper walk and stance, fundraising among other factors. Give yourself enough time to prepare for each aspect of the pageant. Enilist the help of family and friends or even consider hiring a pageant coach You will thank yourself in the end.

4) Create a detailed budget. There can be a lot of expenses that come about from participating in a pageant. Primarily these consists registration and sponsorship fees. However, you can incur other pageant expenses such as hotel, food, transportation, clothing, coaching, gifts souvenirs, etc. To help you create an exact budget, contact the pageant system and find out what expenses will be automatically covered by your sponsorship fee. Once the budget has been made. Create a payment schedule and stick to it

5) Choose a pageant that will enlighten and inspire you to be the best you can be. A good pageant should not be simply a beauty contest. It should inspire them and leave each woman that participates wanting to make a difference in their community. They should want to strive to be a proper role model and encourage other young women to do the same. What is the pageant system’s mission. How does the pageant system encourage for young women to excel and make a difference. By researching the pageant system and talking to past contestants helps to insure that your time and efforts are indeed beneficial.

I hope this set of criteria help you in selecting the proper pageant for you. Participating in a pageant should be a enjoyable exiciting and rewarding experience.