fourpoints Magazine

The #1 Resource for Everything Miss America & MAOTeen

Susan Powell's New CD is Just in Time

Monday, 30 January 2012 14:24

Susan_Powell_CD_OriginalNow pageant enthusiasts can enjoy the sweet sounds of a former Miss on Just In Time, a compilation of show tunes and favorites of Miss America 1981, Susan Powell.

"Music gives voice and language to express our souls in ways that words and speech just can't do. it's a language all its own," she says.

Just In Time is "elegant," and will bring listeners into a world of fresh musical translations using only voice and piano–played by Philip Fortenberry. To listen to the music is to be in the same room as the musicians.

Susan plays piano as well, although she says it is a hobby done "when no one is listening." She also went to college on a partial trumpet scholarship, and played it in the September-October performance of Guys and Dolls as Sarah Brown in the Mission Band.

Susan recorded Just In Time at the end of last year, and it is available for purchase on her website

Today, fourpoints sat down with producer Tony Eaton to talk about what we can expect from the 2012 telecast!

 

Are there any changes to the telecast this year? Is it important to make changes to the show every year?

Well, the girls change every year. This year they are a really bright group and they are all dedicated to making this telecast a 21st century production.

Can you tell us what kind of changes we can expect?

 Well, yes and no. I can say that the opening number is different. We shot six different locations in Las Vegas: La Reve, Hoover Damn, Ghost Bar, Fremont Street, Bellagio, Cosmopolitan, and the Wynn. Las Vegas is a photogenic and colorful city.

Are there any surprises during the telecast?

There is one element of the show that is truly live television. It will unfold for everyone at the same time. I hope it works out.

What kind of manpower goes into this telecast?

We have a 6 month start time. We have 50 stage crew members, 60 tv crew members, 13 cameras, tons of trucks plus 100 MAO volunteers behind the scenes.

 

fourpoints sat down with Miss America 2011 Teresa Scanlan to talk about giving up the title and what the future holds for her.

Have a lot of the contestants asked you for advice during pageant week?

The contestants have asked me advice, yes, and a lot of them have been asking me for advice since they were crowned. I always tell them that it is important to prepare before the pageant and have a good mindset during pageant week. But I also stress the importance of imagining what happens after the crowning moment. Your life doesn't end then—it actually begins.

What are you doing with your $50,000 Amway scholarship?

In total, I have earned $62,000 in scholarships from competing in the Miss America system. I have received a full tuition scholarship for my first four years of college, so I will be deferring my Miss America scholarships to pay for 3 years of law school. I knew at the age of 13 that I would have to get scholarships in order to pay for college, so the Miss America system has drastically changed my life in that way.

How do you stay humble when you hold a title like Miss America?

My family does a good job of keeping me humble! I am the middle of 7 children, so a week after I began my year as Miss America, my little sister had moved into my bedroom. When I visit home (not that I get to very often) I sleep on a matress, and I make my own bed.

Have you done anything special for the 2012 Miss America contestants?

I actually took 53 stones ouf of my crown and had them made into necklaces for the contestants. I want them to know that even though only one of them can take the crown on Saturday night, that each of them deserve it. This way, they will always have a piece of the crown. They are incredible women, and they deserve it.

Ask the Expert: Interview

Friday, 30 December 2011 10:22
Jim Robbins, founder of Image Improvement and interview coach to several former Miss Americas, is our resident expert for this issue of fourpoints. Here are the answers to your burning interview questions!

For teens, how much opinion is too much opinion?

If  a person is starting to put in too many and's then they are probably going on too long. It is best to state your opinion and support that view with an example or statement that shows you feel committed to that stance. Then look at another judge for another question. I am more impressed with someone who is not afraid to take a stand.

What is the most common mistake made during an interview ? Focusing on just the judge who asks the question and not sharing your response with the entire panel. The most common mistake made prior to the interview, is not preparing by knowing your resume, platform, current events, and pop culture. When someone other than the interviewee has prepared their information sheets, they are asking and going to get disaster. It's ok to have someone proofread your information.

What makes the interviewee come across as real and not rehearsed?

It's a cliche; but "Be yourself"! Don't try to be something you are not. Have a natural smile, good eye contact, speak up, don't be afraid to take a stand on controversial issues, look at all of the judges when responding to a question, and don't try to say what you think the judges want to hear because someone has told you something about one or all of them. Don't be afraid to be self-effacing, i.e., laugh or make fun of yourself.

Judges say that girls come across fake or scripted but what makes them say that ?  If a girl has over-rehearsed her answers this often occurs. If she has planned, canned responses that can also be a downer.  How do you avoid that ?  If you have prepared but not over-prepared, answer with the first thing that comes into your mind. If, however, it is a controversial question, you might want to "pause for the cause and you'll get the applause", i.e., pause briefly before responding.

What is the best way to personally connect with a judge and stand out when you are up against so many incredible young women?

Have energy, good eye contact, speak up, slow down and don't talk so fast, be self-effacing, don't be afraid to use gestures, look at all of your judges when responding to a question, and have a genuine smile. Also, "people don't care how much you know until they know how much you care. "

Just how important is the outfit versus the interview?

"The outfit will get you to town; but the interview will make you profound." Your interview outfit should compliment you, not distract from you. Too much jewelery can also be a distraction. There are several very good consignment shops and there are also reputable front-line dress and gown shop owners that will work with you if you are upfront with them and tell them what you can spend and are able to spend. Try to avoid getting caught up in the glitz and glamor of it all.

 

A Guide to Getting Your Picture in fourpoints

Thursday, 01 December 2011 12:43
As a regular reader of fourpoints magazine and www.fourpointsmagazine.com, you know that we love to feature local/state/national titleholders from both the OT and Miss levels of competition. Here is a handy guide on how you can submit your information to us and see yourself in the pages of our magazine or Website!

Our Miss America 2011 Teresa Scanlan recently spent some time in the great state of Kansas promoting literacy. Check it out!

Check out what Miss America 2011 Teresa Scanlan has to say to students considering dropping out of high school.

 

Fall Beauty Tips from Artistry

Wednesday, 21 September 2011 15:15

Artistry, the official skincare and cosmetics sponsor of the Miss America Organization, just debuted their fall line. Here are some tips and inspiration!

Embrace your natural beauty
• Use subtle colours and a light hand to accentuate your best features.
• Invest in quality makeup brushes—like the ARTISTRY® Lavish Brush Set.
Sculpt with neutrals
• Use light, luminous neutrals to highlight your brow bone, the middle of your eyelid, your cheekbone.
• Use dark, intense neutrals to create dimension and drama along the lash line and in the crease.
Accent with colour
• Use touches of pink—on eyes, cheeks and lips—for a youthful glow.
• Prime your lips for rich colour with a lip pencil one shade darker than your lipstick. Fill in lips entirely with pencil, then apply top color.

Check out the new fall collection from Artistry here.

We are pleased to announce that fourpoints was the first recipient of the newly minted Footprints Award at the Miss America’s Outstanding Teen pageant this month. DYE_8244

Kim Parrish, President of MAOTeen, presented the award to Jennifer Reeves and Julie Anne Long at the Evening of Stars event during pageant week.

“We have enjoyed watching our relationship with fourpoints grow over the years,” said Kim. “Whenever we go to fourpoints with an idea, they are ready and willing to help us make it happen.”

In addition to sponsoring the tradeshow at the pageant, fourpoints presented at the Teens in Training Camp seminar. Serendipity Publishing also designed the 2012 program book for Miss America’s Outstanding Teen.

“We are extremely honored to have received this award,” said Kasie Smith, president and publisher of Serendipity Publishing. “Our relationship with MAOTeen has only improved over the last seven years, and we look forward to working with them in the future.”

 

A Chat With Lacey

Wednesday, 17 August 2011 14:16

This morning, our reigning Miss America's Outstanding Teen 2011 Lacey Russ took some time to sign autographs at our tradeshow booth. I also had a few moments to chat with her about her year of service and her advice to the next MAOTeen.

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