fourpoints Magazine

The #1 Resource for Everything Miss America & MAOTeen

Welcome, Welcome!

Wednesday, 31 August 2011 16:38

Welcome to our new MAOTeen Elizabeth Fechtel! And welcome home to me! Now that I'm back in the office and have my desk cleaned off (that's no small task, trust me) , let's talk about MAOTeen. What a great week! I hope that you guys stayed in touch with the pageant happenings through our Twitter, Facebook, and all the articles/videos on the web. In case you couldn't tell, fourpoints had a total blast during pageant week! Every year, it's so inspiring to see our relationship with MAOTeen grow. And each class of contestants is just as wonderful as the last.

Another of of the best things about MAOTeen is that I get a "sneak peek" at the 2012 Miss America contestants. I had the pleasure of chatting with our Miss America 2011 Teresa Scanlan while she signed autographs at our booth during pageant week. She was as lovely as ever. It's so impressive to me to see a Miss America about halfway through her year of service, and she is as fresh and cheerful as the day she was crowned. Every reigning Miss America I have ever met has been that way, and - well, let's just say that I don't think I would be so pleasant!  It was nice to have a moment to talk with Teresa.

I also got to do one of my favorite things, which is have my makeup done by an Aristrty professional. I am seriously in love with their products - and I'm not just saying that! He even managed to make me look believably tan - a true artist!

Of course, the most exciting part of the week is seeing our new MAOTeen crowned. Elizabeth is going to do a great job and I can't wait for you guys to see her on the cover of the October/November issue.

As a final note, though, I want to extend my congratulations and affection to the entire MAOTeen class. Time and time again, I find myself thinking that every contestant who competes really wins. As Donna Bozarth mentioned during pageant week, MAOTeen has already written half a million dollars in scholarship checks. And those didn't go to just the winners of the national pageant. So many young women are stepping into their future with scholarship money, a great skill set, and an unforgettable experience.

During pageant week, I had the chance to speak to some of the contestants. They all had wonderful things to say, but one thing has stuck with me. Miss New Hampshire's Outstanding Teen Lauren Percy gave MAOTeen the highest accolades it could ever receive. She said, "This organization has give me the confidence to take my make-up off and just be who I am."

I hope that every young lady had the same experience that Lauren did.

 

Waiting for Finals

Thursday, 18 August 2011 23:42

Whew! I cannot believe that the three nights of preliminary competition are over! The three nights were incredible, for so many different reasons. And now, of course, I am anxiously awaiting the final night to meet our new Miss America's Outstanding Teen 2012. We did not have a double preliminary award winner this year, so the Top 10 is wide open. And, we will find out the People's Choice winners tomorrow, which is SO EXCITING.

Tomorrow morning, Jennifer and I will be talking with the Teens in Training about the four points of the crown (they are dear to our hearts, after all) and I am so looking forward to that. What advice would YOU guys give the Teens in Training?


MAOTeen, How I Love Thee

Wednesday, 17 August 2011 14:10

Oh my gosh, you guys! Am I ever having a good time here in Orlando! There is so much going on. Teens in Training and Princess Camp have both gotten off to a great start. Jennifer and I will be speaking to the Teens in Training this Friday, and I am so excited! Tawni has done a really great job with this program.

This morning, the Princesses rehearsed their production number for the first time and from what I can tell, they did a great job! Speaking of princesses, I finally met OUR National Princess Emily Kinsey. It was great to meet Emily and her mother Stephanie, and we are proud to have Emily as our fourpoints princess. I shot a little video so you can meet Emily, too! 

The prelims were great last night, too! There was a tie in evening wear which may be an MAOTeen first. I am looking forward to seeing more of the competition tongiht and catching up with the rest of my pageant family!

From OT to Miss

Wednesday, 20 July 2011 15:50

I don't know if you've heard, but so far 9 former Outstanding Teens have been crowned as Misses and will be vying for the title of Miss America in 2012. The titleholders in thsese states are double crown winners: Idaho, Nebraska, North Dakota, Georgia, Minnesota, Montana, New Jersey, Texas and Kentucky. I cannot imagine how exciting it is for these young women, and for MAOT, to be succesful in the next level of competition. I have hoped that we would see more and more OTs becoming Misses and now that a "generation" has passed, we are seeing it happen!

Do you suppose that competing at the OT level prepared these young ladies for the state level, or are the two competitions so different that it wouldn't make a difference? What are your thoughts?

Setting A Limit

Wednesday, 06 July 2011 15:51

What do you think about the age limits set by MAO? Thanks to the Princess program and the OT program, girls can get involved with our system when they are very young. On the other end of the spectrum, a Miss America contestant ages out when she is 24. I wonder what would happen if the age limit were increased to, say, 28?

I'm 28 and while I have never competed in a pageant, in many ways I feel like now would be the optimal time to do it. I am out of school and I would feel comfortable taking time off from my job because I am well established in my field. On the other hand, I have NO desire to compete with 18 year olds for anything - that 10 year age gap would be hard to ignore. And it might make the judging that much more difficult. Can you compare an 18 year old and a 28 year old? Should Miss America be that close to 30?

 

What do you guys think?

Teens in Training Camp Promotion

Tuesday, 28 June 2011 10:34

TNTTwo weeks ago, I had the pleasure of attending the 2011 Miss Pennsylvania pageant in Pittsburgh, PA.  It was such a joy to see the enormous amount of talent in my home state!  It seems like each year the talent gets better, the gowns get more dazzling, and the girls get more poised.  It is so much fun to watch these girls grow into such beautiful and poised young women!  While at Miss PA this year, I had the opportunity to meet two very special teens who will be joining me at Teens in Training Camp this August.   Outstanding Teen contestants (and Top 5 finalists!) Kaitlyn and Maria were awarded scholarships to attend Teens in Training Camp after competing in all categories of the pageant.  Each contestant competing for the title of Miss Pennsylvania’s Outstanding Teen was eligible to receive the TNT Camp award and the judges were to choose the top two girls who they felt held the most potential as future titleholders.  After seeing the girls they chose, I think they got it right!  I am sure Kaitlyn and Maria will have a blast at TNT Camp and will learn so many valuable skills that will not only help them when they compete in Miss PA’s Outstanding Teen next year, but will also help them in so many ways outside of “pageant world.”

So now you may be wondering how to send girls from YOUR state to Teens in Training Camp this year.  Well fortunately for you, it’s easy!  Miss America’s Outstanding Teen is running a promotion for girls who have competed in an Outstanding Teen state pageant this year.  If you have competed in any state’s Outstanding Teen pageant, you can register for Camp using promo code TNTROCKS to receive a $250 discount!  If you were a Top 5 finalist in your state Outstanding Teen pageant, you can go to TNT Camp for even less!   Trust me, you don’t want to miss out on these deals!  Teens in Training Camp will help prepare you for your next pageant and will give you the confidence to become an even better titleholder!  If you want more information on these great discounts, send me an email… Tawni@MAOTeen.org!

Remember… confident, poised and prepared is the way to be and Teens in Training Camp will get you there!

Yours truly,

Tawni

Still Making History

Monday, 27 June 2011 13:11

This past weekend, a young lady named Dina Dreman was crowned Miss Colorado 2011. What makes her coronation even MORE special is that her mother was Miss America 1974 Rebecca Ann King. As 264592_10150296994494460_156966149459_9020191_3626883_n far as I can tell, this is the first time that the daughter of a Miss America has won a state title! I am excited for the Dreman family and to see all of theamerica1974 2011 contestants crowned. You have to admit - it is pretty neat than an organization of this age is still making history and having "first times." Just think - we may have our first mother - daughter Miss America wins! 

My Village

Wednesday, 22 June 2011 15:11

I talk a lot about the "village" concept in fourpoints magazine - bet you a nickel I mention it in the upcoming and awesome August issue - because I truly believe in the concept. I think in most areas of life, we do actually need a village to accomplish something. Pageantry is no exception and perhaps one of the best examples of how a grass roots village structure can make incredible things happen.

Today, I want to talk about my village - something I don't do often enough. My name is on fourpoints magazine, but there are so many hands and hearts that touch each issue. My art director and designer Courtney (who recently moved to California) spends a lot of time and considerable patience making every issue look beautiful and fresh. 

All of you who send in Crown Watch pictures are part of my village, too! I couldn't do that without you and you are an integral part of getting our state and local titleholders the recognition they deserve. Every issue, I can count on Chelle Hyde from California to send me photos and I love that. 

Bonnie at Miss America and Kim, Dianne, Nicole, and Kristin at MAOT are always willing to help me with a photo, info, or my millionth question.

I have a local village filled with people like Noddea Skidmore, who always has an idea for me when my own mental well is dry. 

What I am trying to say, I suppose, is thank you. Thank you for helping me make this magazine happen! 

Who/what are you thankful for today? 

Sticking With It

Tuesday, 14 June 2011 10:26

This past weekend, 9 state titleholders were crowned! Talk about an exciting weekend for a ton of people. I wish I could have been at all of those pageants, but unfortunately I just waited for the results at home. I am thrilled for all of the young ladies, both Miss and OT, who now wear state crowns and you can find out more about them on our news page. But I have to admit that I was particularly excited to see that Sydney Friar is Miss Missouri 2011. As you may know, Missouri is the first state pageant I ever judged and I just love them to bits. And as fate would have it, Sydney Friar competed the year that I judged. She didn't win that year but she really stuck out to me and I hoped fervently that she would keep competing - because I knew that if she did, she would win. And she did! I mean, clearly - Sydney did all the heavy lifting on this one and the judges saw the light in her. But I'm just so inspired when I see someone stick with it and pull through and make their dreams happen. 

Do you have an inspiring "stick with it" story you want to share? 

 

Be a Confident Young Woman!

Wednesday, 08 June 2011 09:54

Teens today face many issues – peer pressure, stress at school, trying to fit in and find their place, and learning how to love themselves.  It may seem like these issues have quick fixes, but as someone who was a teen not long ago, I understand how challenging it can be to battle these bumps in the road.  In today’s society, teenage girls are fed this constant image of what a teen “should be.”  So how do we change this?  We don’t.  How do we fight it?  Let me tell you… with confidence in our own uniqueness!  Nothing fights peer pressure, stress, and the feeling of being an outsider better than confidence.  With confidence and a lot of respect for ourselves, we can overcome issues we face no matter how challenging they may be.

Now the question is, how do we become confident young women?  Well, it takes time, but in order to do so, you must have the right tools.  I’m a firm believer that pageantry, more specifically the Miss America system, gives you those tools and presents you with the opportunity to put them to work.  Now I’m not saying that you have to compete in a thousand pageants in order to fine-tune your confidence building skills.  I, myself, have only ever competed in three pageants – a local pageant, Miss Pennsylvania’s Outstanding Teen, and Miss America’s Outstanding Teen – but what I learned from those three pageants and the six years I’ve been involved in pageantry has helped me get to where I am today.  Not only did I learn how not to fall down stairs in five inch heels, but I also learned what it takes to be a poised and confident young women.  All of my interview training, pageant prep, and onstage experience has help me realize that whatever issues I face, whether it be nerves before a college interview or not feeling sure that I fit in with a group of people, I know that I have the tools, the skills, and the confidence to face those challenges head-on and be successful.

Now for those of you teens who may not be in to competing in pageants or for those of you who are but want even more, Teens in Training Camp is the place for you.  Teens in Training Camp will give you those same confidence-building tools to use in a fun, stress-free environment.  Teens in Training Camp will provide you with advice and training from the most experienced professionals in the pageant and performing arts world.  Teens in Training Camp bridges the gap between the pageant world and your world and gives you everything you need to be a confident teen today and a successful leader tomorrow.

So instead of a tip this time, I’m going to give you a quote from Liev Lazarow that I believe fits perfectly with this post.  “She who has confidence in herself will gain the confidence of others.”  I’ve learned to live my life by these words and I highly encourage you to do the same!

I hope to see you in Orlando for Camp this summer!

Sincerely,
Tawni