Can Plain Jane Win Mrs. California Pageant?

March 6, 2008 by Marenda
Filed under Goals Hopes Plans

498Comments2008-03-07+01%3A30%3A19Marenda

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The history of pageants in the United States date as far back as the 1920’s. The first Miss America was crowned in 1921. Pageants have been around ever since. Some of the most famous and successful women in the world competed in pageants. While some scoff and dismiss pageants as mere “beauty contests” the truth of the matter is women participating in pageants are usually at the top of their game. They are undeniably beautiful, poised, articulate, and extremely smart… I know some may disagree, considering the Miss Teen South Carolina 2007 debacle (I think it was her nerves, that’s exactly what scares me about entering a pageant).

Women that participate in pageants seem to have certain traits in common. They are goal oriented, self motivated, and determined. It takes confidence, self awareness, and a great attitude to compete in a pageant. The preparation and personal development that women go through for a pageant, often helps them in other areas of their lives.Check out this list of noteworthy pageant winners:

Oprah Winfrey Miss Black Tennessee
Diane Sawyer America’s Junior Miss
Halle Berry Miss Ohio, Miss USA first runner up, and Miss World sixth runner up
Mary Hart Miss South Dakota, reached top ten in Miss America
Phyllis George Miss Texas, Miss America

I notice that women that compete in pageants seem to have no problems with public speaking (I don’t think Oprah gets nervous when someone hands her mic). I consider myself an effective communicator but the thought of public speaking frightens me. The fact that I am afraid of anything bothers me even more because I know “there’s nothing to fear but fear itself.” I am also aware that fear = False Expectation Appearing Real. With all of this knowledge why is public speaking such an issue? Perhaps it’s time I face and get over my fears

I’m thinking about participating in the Mrs. California Pageant. Do you think a no make-up, sweats, and t-shirt wearing, non public speaking, plain jane blogger like me can win a pageant? I only have days to decide and only 3 months to prepare to answer those tough questions like “how would you resolve the middle east crisis?” in front of a live audience. Scary! Can you say I need a sponsor(s) and a pageant coach?

If I decide to participate I’ll document the journey via a separate blog (I’m already thinking about things I can do to make it financially worthwhile to my sponsors lol). Living Life Abundantly means facing your fears and being committed to life long personal growth and development. I’m dedicated to living life abundantly.

I look forward to your feedback. I don’t have the sponsorship details available yet but email me if its of interest and I’ll get it to you asap

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Tags: fear, life, Living Life Abundantly, miss south carolina 2007, Mrs. California, Pageant, public speaking, sponsors

CommentsComments to “Can Plain Jane Win Mrs. California Pageant?”

Tom Roompot says:

March 7, 2008 at 6:42 am

Well, to be honest … don’t bother. Only a certain sort of women can be successful at this and to become one you’d need several tonnes of make up, plus you’d probably have to watch paris hilton tv shows not to stand out in that crowd.
Don’t do it, keep your soul

online gift shop says:

March 7, 2008 at 9:00 am

I never knew that Oprah Winfrey got the Miss Black Tennessee in the past. Excellent!

Cynthia says:

March 9, 2008 at 6:05 pm

U can do it AND keep your soul! So let it be written, so let it be done. U no longer need a pageant coach!!!!!! Let’s talk…. :>)

Amber says:

March 20, 2008 at 9:34 am

There are plenty of women with no experience, who go on to win. . . and at the very least it’s a fun an exciting experience. I went in with no expectations and came out on the other side having had a ton of fun. . .sure some of the “pros” are intimidating, but for the most part you should have a good time.

Petra says:

April 1, 2008 at 11:52 am

Of course you can do it! It is anyone’s game out there, and if you believe in yourself, it will show through. It is a great growing experience and an opportunity to meet some wonderful people! Go for it!

Giselle says:

April 7, 2008 at 1:09 pm

Did you enter the pageant? I have entered and would love to connect to someone who, as me, has no expierence with this type of event. =)

Living Life Abundantly says:

April 22, 2008 at 7:06 pm

I haven’t entered my schedule has been crazy lol but I’m told its not too late….

Fergus Mayhew says:

July 5, 2008 at 12:44 pm

Of course, women should be free to do whatever they wish … but I’ve never really understood beauty pageants.

I know that they offer a great deal of scholarship money, and other benefits, and that participants feel empowered by entering.

But to me they seem to be more about emphasizing external beauty over intelligence, kindness, or talents … and that doesn’t seem so empowering to me.

Gloria says:

July 8, 2008 at 7:42 am

I would definately do it! Good luck to you.

Lisa Talarigo says:

July 14, 2008 at 9:15 am

Today I came across this article concerning the Mrs. California, so-called “plain Jane” participant. I have a comment of my own. I have been a successful competitor for approximately 32 years. I have never had plastic surgery in any shape or form. I have never had a pageant trainer/coach. I do not wear a “ton of makeup.” You do not have to study or mimic Paris Hilton, nor do you want to. Not all pageants emphasize external beauty over intelligence or talents. My secret to success has been: HONESTY. When competing in a pageant, many contestants have the misconception that the will win if they invent someone who they are not, particularly on their Bio. All a contestant needs to do, is BE YOUR TRUE SELF. Remember, God has created each of us different for a reason. If we were all the same size, color, personality, and success status, life would be completely, BORING! We are judged on our INDIVIDUALITY, our PERSONAL ACHIEVEMENTS, and most of all, HONESTY. If a contestant possesses such as I’ve just described, that contestant will be successful and a true winner. I hope this has helped you understand what pageantry is truly about, all summed up in three words: Honesty, Grace, and Enthusiasm.
Mrs. California American Queen

Living Life Abundantly says:

July 14, 2008 at 11:51 am

Thanks for your insight Lisa perhaps I’ll do it next year

Valerie says:

July 16, 2008 at 1:59 pm

Hello LLA,
As a pageant naysayer turned pageant judge, who then competed in her first state pageant and won, and then competed in and won her first national pageant, and is now a pageant executive director and coach, I have spent plenty of time pondering the many aspects of pageant-related questions. In my experience, most people who’ve poo poo’d pageants (like me before 2001) haven’t ever done one and are influenced by what is popularized or denegrated about them in the press. They see the events themselves as demeaning or exploitative, and the participants as shallow narcissists. As with all things, there are good and bad variations on the same theme and SOME pageants and SOME participants may contribute to those beliefs. But many more are totally positive experiences for the participants involved, and the commuities those participants serve.

Importantly, pageant audiences, whether live or TV, never see an integral and critical part of the competition that typically accounts for 25-50% of the final score: the private interview with the judges. In my experience, this is where the winners take the first step forward. In that interaction, there are no bathing suits or beautiful gowns. There are questions and answers about strengths, weaknesses, accomplishments, goals, and community service. As a judge, I’ve interacted with hundreds of pageant competitors across the globe, and more often than not, I have found these girls and women to have substance, goals that have nothing to do with their beauty, intelligence, passion, drive, integrity and grit. By the time my intereviews are over, there are front runners who either keep my attention in the onstage portions of the competition, or who are outshined by someone else who did. But there is never a “what-she-looks-like” winner who hasn’t already won me over with that glimpse into “what-she’s-made of.”

As for your question ‘Can a plain-Jane win?’ I’d say anyone can win — I did. And remember, it’s a vote at a single point in time — change one judge or one delegate, and you have a completely different top 10. But in the end, it’s a beauty pageant. There aren’t supposed to be consolation votes. Judges should be picking the one person who outshines the field in terms of being the total package of inner and outer beauty. In most cases, that doesn’t require tons of make-up and a black belt in public speaking. It does require poise, presence, personality, and passion.

So I say, if you want to give yourself a chance to conquer your fears, experience something about which you’re intrigued, and in the end, you’d feel good about doing, then do it. Decide in advance why you want to do it, and then ensure you create that opportunity as you participate.
Blessings,
Ms. American Queen 2004
Executive Director, CA American Queen Pageant

Jenny says:

August 4, 2008 at 2:51 pm

Dear Marenda,
From your photos you are obviously a beautiful lady and from your blog that beauty extends even deeper. As a previous Mrs. California- America winner, I can honestly tellyou that the answer to your question is yes. I had never entered any pageants before and thought it would be fun to do. It was a blast! But the funniest thing was when they crowned me as the winner. I started laughing my head off becasue I found it to be the funniest thing evr- who me a beauty queen? Shoot, I grew up as a tomboy. Anyways if you do decide to enter the Mrs. Caifornia-America pageant, which Mrs. America is televised) my advice then would be to do it knowing who you are and don’t do in hopes of trying to figure out you are. Good luck in all of you endevours!
Jenny
Mrs. California America