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How to Plan Pageant Training Sessions
Wednesday, 29 February 2012 08:59
Pageant training sessions go by many names: pageant boot camp, pageant prep, and pageant school, among others. Recently, a local pageant in Iowa held their own session called “Pageant School: Road to the Crown.” Ashley Brown, director of the Miss Pearl Pageant, and Kindra Plett, director of the Miss Muscatine Pageant, teamed up to create this event. From their experience, you can learn hot to organize your own pageant training session to benefit contestants in your area.
Learn how to organize your own pageant training session to benefit contestants in your area.
Recruiting keynote speakers is first on the to-do list. The Iowa pageant school formed a panel of speakers. Your speakers should have experience of their own in different aspects of pageant life. You may even want to include contestants or former contestants on your panel. Hold a Q&A session as well as a direct audience address.
“It was a great session, and it gave the audience a chance to interact with the panelists," says Ashley of the Iowa panel and Q&A session.
Putting on a pageant school is a lot of work. Ask other pageants in surrounding counties to join you in your efforts. In Iowa, two local boards coordinated the pageant school, but Ashley and Kindra were fortunate to receive support from the entire state in setting up the pageant school.
“We reached out to all the locals and the Miss Iowa state board for their help with marketing and really spreading the word across the state,” says Ashley. “The reception and support from everyone was wonderful.”
Choose a venue that will fit your budget and the size of your guest list. The venue for the pageant school was Geneva Golf and Country Club, who worked closely with Ashley and Kindra to keep overhead costs very low.
Pageant schools are an excellent resource for contestants and volunteers, and a wonderful way to introduce the community to the Miss America Organization. In its first year, Ashley and Kindra were thrilled to see the event take shape. In the future, they have hopes that it may become both educational and lucrative.
With a little advance planning and the help of your pageant family, you can have your very own pageant school event–a benefit to everyone involved.
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A Short Stack Goes a Long Way: National Pancake Day Tomorrow!
Monday, 27 February 2012 16:05
Tuesday is IHOP'S National Pancake Day! Visit any International House of Pancakes Tuesday from 7 a.m.-10 p.m. to get a free short stack and support the Children's Miracle Network.
Guests attending the pancake smorgasbord will be asked to provide a donation to Children's Miracle Network Hospitals, the official platform of the Miss America Organization.
Pageant winners including Miss America Laura Kaeppeler will be in attendance to help serve and to promote the platform. Laura will visit a Hollywood, California IHOP tomorrow.
IHOP National Pancake Day has raised approximately $8 since its first year, 2006. Proceeds support local charities, including the Children's Miracle Network.
Sources: Dine Equity and MAO Photo D. Sharon Pruitt
Picking the Perfect Talent Attire
Friday, 24 February 2012 12:28
Every contestant knows that special feeling of finding the "right" gown–you look in the mirror, and stand a little taller, you smile a little brighter, you feel invincible in it. And you are wearing that gown, not the gown wearing you.
Your talent costume should be the same, you should feel great in it, and it should complement your talent, not overshadow it. There are elements to a great performance that are important to bringing together a "winning" talent piece, and it's important to look at your performance from others' viewpoints.
Fit Your Talent
These are the questions that I ask before I start designing, because the most important things for me are that the costume will not only look great, but also be functional and complement your talent.
- What style of dance will you be performing (jazz, ballet en pointe, baton twirling, etc.)?
- What song will you be performing to?
- Do you have anything particular in mind (for example: two-piece, halter, long skirt, pants, etc.)?
- What color(s) do you lie? Any colors you don't like?
- Do you have any design limitations (for example: large chested–need support/built-in bra)?
Fit Your Budget
With the economy, I think budget has been a concern for most contestants. I think it's always important to determine what your budget is before you go shopping, whether it's for your interview outfit, gown, or talent costume. Figure out what you're comfortable spending, and then work within that budget. If your budget is limited, there are always options, and working with a professional can help point you in the direction.
Above all, love your talent costume. It should be functional and comfortable so that you can perform to your absolute best in it. The right costume can elevate your talent, and add to the entertainment value of your performance.
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Source: Trisha Tidd
Super Bowl Brings National Attention to Miss America
Wednesday, 08 February 2012 11:13
Miss America Laura Kaeppeler wowed football fans and the media on Sunday when she spent the day in Indianapolis, Indiana, for the Super Bowl. She took part in game-day events, and even took a seat for the big game. Laura participated in a sandwich judging contest that benefited Taste of the NFL, a charity that raises money for food banks across America. To donate, visit Kick Hunger Challenge online.
Laura brought attention to the Miss America Organization while being interviewed on "Radio Row" by reporters from NFL.com, Sirius/XM Radio and Yahoo! Sports.
Source and Photo: MAO
Kristin Black Gets Engaged on HSN!
Wednesday, 08 February 2012 11:00
There's nothing like a very sweet, very public display of Valentine's Day affection, and for Kristin Black, the holiday came a little early. The Home Shopping Network was the scene for Kristin's proposal to her long-time boyfriend, Mike, who works for HSN. See the proposal here!
Kristin is the Miss America Organization Outstanding Teen Director of Operations.
Miss America Makes First Hospital Visit
Thursday, 02 February 2012 09:31
The Phoenix Children's Hospital got a royal visit on Monday from Miss America, Laura Kaeppeler. It was her first hospital visit this year.
The Children's Miracle Network Hospital patients got to spend time talking and doing crafts with Miss America. At the end of her visit, Laura presented the hospital with a check for more than $360,000 that will be used in the learning center, "One Darn Cool School," at the hospital.
"It's been a great morning, and full of lots of laughs from the kids. They are so much fun. I hoped to brighten their day but, they brightened my day just as much," Laura said.
Click here to see a video of Miss America at the Phoenix Children's Hospital.
The Children's Miracle Network is the official platform of the Miss America Organization.
Source and Photos: Miss America Organization
Miss America to be Interviewed on E! News Tonight
Friday, 27 January 2012 14:21
Miss America Laura Kaeppeler continues her media tour tonight at the E! Entertainment studios where she will be interviewed and featured on E! News tonight. The Midwestern queen will spend time making appearances in sunny California to promote the Miss America Organization, its scholarship program and her platform.
Watch E! News tonight at 7 p.m. and 11:30 p.m. Eastern Time.
Source: MAO
Ratings for Pageant Highest in Eight Years
Thursday, 19 January 2012 10:01The 2012 Miss America Pageant received its highest ratings in eight years Saturday. The ABC broadcast of the pageant was the number one non-sports network program Saturday from 9-11 p.m.
The viewing audience increased 47 percent, 2.8 million viewers from the time the pageant began at 9 p.m. through the first half hour. During the final half hour, 10:30-11 p.m., the telecast totaled 8.0 million viewers and earned a 2.2 rating. Aside from the 2011 New Year's Even programming, ABC scored the pageant as the best non-sports Adult 18-49 rating in the time the pageant aired since December 2010.
Although the pageant aired at the same time as an NFL playoff game, The Miss America Pageant increased its overall audience in adults 18-49 more than 13 percent from last year's broadcast. The 2012 pageant scores were the best it has received since 2004.
Source: MAO
Miss America Appears in T.V. Interviews
Wednesday, 18 January 2012 15:27
The newly crowned Laura Kaeppeler performed her first duty as Miss America by appearing on Good Morning America Tuesday. The former Miss Wisconsin flew directly from the pageant in Las Vegas, three suit cases in tow, to appear on the show.
"I couldn't be more thrilled," she says.
Laura also appeared on Fox & Friends Wednesday morning, and discussed her plans for the $50,000 scholarship awarded by Amway.
"I'm actually looking forward to going to law school after this year to really carry out the work of my platform of mentoring and advocating for children who have parents in prison...I hope to use it...to be a legal voice for children who don't have one," Laura says.
Laura rang the opening bell of NASDAQ this morning.
Photo: MAO
Preliminary Competition Concludes at 2012 Miss America Pageant
Friday, 13 January 2012 02:48
The final night of preliminary competition in the 2012 Miss America pageant was hosted by Dena Blizzard. The Mu, Alpha, and Sigma groups competed in their final phases of the pageant.
Miss Hawaii Lauren Cheape received a $2,000 scholarship from Amway for her energetic jump rope routine.
Miss New York Kaitlin Monte received a $1,000 scholarship from Amway in the lifestye and fitness in swimsuit competition.
Congratulations!