The Miss America program teaches its contestants and titleholders many lessons. For Miss Oregon 2004 Brooke Roberts, the most important one was how to be a true saleswoman. Brooke was able to develop her skills in sales which in turn allows her to flourish in her career and life in general.

As a contestant in the Miss Oregon and then Miss America pageants, Brooke had to convince judges and strangers that she was cut out for the role of a titleholder. During her year of service, her job was to sell the program, sell her platform, and convince others that she was the right woman for the job.

When her year was finished, she took on a new role as news anchor for a local CBS affiliate. She became an entertainment reporter, traveled the world, and hosted and produced documentaries. She found her true calling as a home shopping host.

After Brooke was crowned, several doors opened up for her, and through networking, she was able to brand and market herself in order to make good use of each opportunity and create more.

"At every corner I found ways to get the Miss America program exposure while putting my own personality on the airwaves. Through experience and hard work, I became one of the best-selling hosts at a nationally televised home shopping network," Brooke says.

Brooke has been featured on shows like The Amazing Race, and she is getting ready to host and star in her own reality TV series. She has an online magazine, store, and her own show.

"I'm acutely aware that the Miss America Organization gave me the knowledge, experience, and confidence to go after what I want," Brooke says.

Taking full advantage of the lessons she learned as a contestant, Brooke has launched her career forward and is already obtaining her life-goals by networking and marketing her skills and herself.

Johnathan Kayne is an expert designer who can put to rest your burning questions about pageant attire. Check out what he has to say about making the big walk across the stage!

How can I find shoes that look good on stage, but are also comfortable?

Look at the construction of high hells and find something with more padding in the instep of the heel. I currently use three times the industry standard and don't stop there. We use a German embossed sole that absorbs the stress of every step and offers more traction and support.

I'm having a hard time finding the right gown. What should I do?

The best thing to do first is your research. A whole world of information is at your fingertips with the Internet. Print the dresses that catch your eye and find out what retailers carry those designs or similar. Visit that store and communicate what you want and show them the pictures that you like, but also let them make suggestions to you. They may have the perfect dress for you that you have not seen yet. Trust the professionals.

I like to be a bit trendy when I compete. What's going to be hot the rest of this year?

There are two major trends I am seeing everywhere right now and they are:

• Bling is in! Big, chunky stones are everywhere. Show your personality and be bold with this sparkly trend. Even if a more simple gown is your style, make a fashion statement with your jewelry and accessories.
• Bright neon colors are everywhere! Now, I am not saying wear a fluorescent highlighter yellow evening gown, but think outside the box with your accessories. A beaded champagne gown would be gorgeous with an unexpected pop of neon color. Feathers are also a huge trend right now in accessories, so maybe incorporate those.

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If you have ever had the privilege of judging a Miss America preliminary pageant, you know that it is a wonderful opportunity and a huge responsibility. When you are asked to join a panel of judges, you are being asked to choose a titleholder who will represent a community for an entire year and go on to the next level of competition. It's not an easy job, or one that should be taken lightly. Be an able, competent judge by using this guide.

Know the Scoring System

The Miss America Organization has its own unique scoring system, like all pageant systems. Before the day your pageant begins, familiarize yourself with the scoring rubric so you give thoughtful scores to each contestant.

For preliminary competitions, each contestant is judged in all phases of competition (interview, talent, onstage question, swimsuit, and evening wear) and given a score ranging from one to ten. There is no hard and fast rule on what kind of performance deserves a certain score–that is up to your discretion. It is a subjective scoring system, but McNeil Chestnut, a volunteer in North Carolina who often teaches judging seminars, suggests that you start with a five. Before a contestant steps on the stage or in the interview room, is is at a five–average. From there, her score can go up or down. Very low scores (one to three) or very high scores (eight to ten) should be reserved for extreme performances. A good way to avoid comparative scoring is to act as if each contestant is the only contestant in the pageant.

Know What You Are Looking For

Each titleholder within the Miss America system has the same basic job–represent her community during her year of service, work on her platform, and compete at the next level. However, each local or state title has unique responsibilities and requirements. During your judging prep at the pageant, ask pointed questions to the judges chairperson or executive director on exactly what kind of contestant they are searching out. For example, some titleholders do intensive school tours during their year. You will need to find a contestant who is willing and able to travel constantly, can speak to large, diverse groups, and thinks quickly on her feet. You are always searching for the next Miss State or Miss America, but the reality is this: only one contestant goes on to hold that title.

Know the End Game

When you judge a pageant and see your titleholder crowned, it can feel like an ending. In actuality, it's all just beginning for the newly crowned titleholder and the pageant that will support her. In the moment that crown is placed on her head, her entire life has changed. It is imperative that you take your job of judging very seriously. You are giving a pageant system a titleholder that will help further their message and forever be a part of their history. You are making a difference.

To learn more tips for judging preliminary pageants, subscribe to fourpoints!

As a pageant contestant, you know how difficult it is to find the “perfect” gown to wear during competition. You’ve probably tried on hundreds of dresses, and maybe you’re a bit frustrated in the search. You’re not alone. It isn’t easy picking out the perfect dress, and the right look for a pageant contestant is based on several factors.

As a storeowner, when I am consulting a new girl for the first time, I always want to talk to them and see what their personality is like. I ask them, “What type of look are you going for? What did you envision yourself in? What kind of fit do you like? Do you have an inspiration of a titleholder? What looks make you feel beautiful when trying on gowns? What is your budget?”

From there, the fun begins. I start pulling dresses and have them start trying them on. Determining the contestant’s personality is important because the dress has to reflect the personality of the contestant (e.g., fun, playful, outgoing, elegant). She should be wearing the dress–not the dress wearing her.

Beyond that, some top key elements of finding the perfect dress would be the fit of the gown. It definitely needs to highlight the best parts of their body. Color is also a factor; it needs to be complimentary to her skin tone. And make use of the opinions of others. The opinion of directors can help guide a contestant to make the appropriate choice based on color, fit, style, and budget.

The biggest factor in finding the perfect dress is how the contestant ultimately feels in her gown because the right look will only help her exude confidence and her true beauty will shine through. The winning choice is the gown that brings the biggest smile to the contestant’s face, makes her feel beautiful, and if she does not want to take it off.

To read more tips on finding the perfect pageant look, subscribe to fourpoints!

Source: Larissa Maner owns Shimmer Boutique in Carrollton, Texas Photo: David Jones/stock.xchng