Local Michigan pageant director and business owner Noddea Skidmore is calling for support. Her business, Stiletto Sweets, is located in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and it's in the running for local financial support, but Noddea needs your endorsement. Interested in helping out a fellow pageant enthusiast? Read what she has to say:

"...My cake and cupcake business called Stiletto Sweets is pursuing a venture capital investment opportunity through an organization called 'Start Garden.' It's awesome, and innovative–they give weekly start-up funds to new ideas and budding businesses each week. Last week, I gave it a whirl, and my gut says I came close. Of the two "winners" each week (they don't call them winners, but please, it's winning) the Start Garden team chooses an idea and the public chooses an idea through online endorsements. The ideas that get $5K investments come back and present what they did with their $5K between sixty to ninety days later, and then the Start Garden team decides which ideas should get $20K. This repeats. The team will invest up to half a million dollars in a single idea. Therefore, I think you probably can tell why I am not ready to give up yet. Even though things didn't work in my favor last time, I think we CAN make it happen.

It's a numbers game for that public endorsement... so it comes down to endorsing, sharing, and encouraging others to do the same. However, my time is limited. You can only re-submit an idea so many times. ...For those that are willing to help, I promise that I won't forget about you. This business isn't just about me. Stiletto Sweets is about everyone who gets to enjoy it."

Here's how to participate: 

• Click here to go to the Stiletto Sweets endorsement page
• Click "ENDORSE" then leave a reply (Noddea's goal is one hundred replies by Wednesday)
• Share this link via Twitter and Facebook, and encourage people to endorse too
• Deadline: 11:59 a.m. on Thursday of this week

Source: Noddea Skidmore

Okay ladies we all know that if you want to compete in the Miss America Organization you have to wear a swimsuit on stage and it is not always the most comfortable phase of competition for young ladies. So here are a few tips to make it as easy as possible.

Make sure you put the time in to become physically fit. You do not have to be a size zero to fit in with all the girls but make sure you take the time to tone your body. Run a few miles don’t worry about the time or pace just go and set a goal for yourself. Work on other things as well, one hundred crunches a day can do a lot for your body. In the end, you will feel better about yourself.

Picking out a swimsuit you feel comfortable in is a must! If you feel like a million dollars in your suit it will show on stage. Your swimsuit does not have to be the most expensive suit either, it’s what you feel best in and look good in. You are judged on your confidence, not how much your swimsuit cost.

Lastly, butt glue. This is KEY in competing in swimsuit and you would be shocked at how many women do not use this. Butt glue is used to make sure your cheeks don’t make any surprise appearances. Nobody wants that! Knowing everything is locked into place will make you feel much more confident and you won’t have that awkward moment of having to debate whether to pick that wedgie or not.

Hope these were helpful in making swimsuit less scary and more fun!

Written by: Alexandra Kramer is a Michigan MAO contestant. She won her first title, Miss Sunrise Side Teen 2009, when she was 14 years old. She won the Miss Shoreline's Outstanding Teen 2011 title, and competed in the Miss Michigan's Outstanding Teen pageant. At 17 years old, Alexandra was the youngest miss contestant competing at the state level. She writes a pageant blog called 741 Austrian Rhinestones.

Elizabeth McGlynn at Professional Pageant Preparation, LLC, answers your questions about choosing your platform!

Q: What is your advice to a contestant new to MAO/MAOTeen about choosing and establishing a platform? Does my platform have to be marketable or just be something I am interested in?

Selecting a platform can be intimidating. Think about your personal reason(s) as to why you volunteer in your community. Perhaps it relates to a family member or friend. Choose something you are passionate about–and yet, has to matter and be marketable to the general population! For example, being passionate about keeping the arts program in your school system is definitely important to your High school, give it a broader base. How is it important to all students across the state or the country to keep these programs in schools? 

Q: What is the most common mistake you see when it comes to platforms? What are the judges and directors looking for in a platform?

The most common mistake: Having a great idea and doing nothing toward implementing it. Think of creating your platform in three steps:

First: Determine the cause you want to become involved with and why it is important to you. Judges want to know why you selected your particular platform issue, and having a personal reason tells the judges you just didn’t come up with this three weeks ago in order to have a ‘platform’ for a pageant.

Second: You MUST have done something for your platform. Look back at the community service you have already done. Most girls find they have a ‘platform’ because of the amount of community service already completed. Schedule speaking engagements at every opportunity before schools, church or civic groups wherever your message might be best received and develop your own materials, literature, or programs to support your platform. Even if you have only done one thing, this shows judges and directors you are taking definitive steps to get your platform started.

Third: Have a plan of action for the future like events to take place. Create a website showcasing your events and plans with links to national organizations related to your particular platform. Have a clear idea of  how to involve others and look ahead to see what you could accomplish in the broader picture if you go on to the state or national level working in partnership with the backing of your local or state board behind you.

Get more advice from pageant experts when you subscribe to fourpoints!

Every Miss America local, state, and national titleholder needs to know how to network and work a room. From fundraising events and cocktail parties, to pancake breakfasts and Rotary club meetings, you will make dozens, if not hundreds of appearances. Having strong networking skills will help you build relationships in the world of pageantry, in your community, and in your field of expertise. Here are some tips for successful networking during your year of service.

Enter with a positive attitude: Approach social events with an air of excitement that tells people you want to be present and engaged. If you appear disinterested, no one will be compelled to talk to you.

Take risks: Be willing to take risks and introduce yourself to people you don’t know. People will appreciate that you took the first step and will be impressed with your self-awareness and confidence. By engaging with others in an active way, you show that you genuinely care about the community you seek to represent. If you don’t get the response you hoped for, that’s ok. Don’t take it personally and graciously move on to someone else.

Be a good listener: As pageant competitors, you are taught to constantly sell who you are and what you have to offer. Don’t forget to be humble and listen up from time to time. Make sure the conversation has a good give and take. Ask questions and listen to the answers. Be vibrant with your facial expressions and make good eye contact.

Learn names: As a titleholder, you live in the spotlight. Therefore, you will meet hundreds of people who will likely already know your name. You have the difficult task of remembering the names of hundreds of volunteers and community leaders. Addressing people by name when you speak to them shows that you have taken a genuine interest in them. As you develop a rapport, learn the names of their children, parents, or spouse. Know who the people are behind the scenes, including local and state directors, sponsors, and volunteers.

As a pageant contestant, you need to be “on” all the time. You face a very delicate balance between exuding confidence and projecting arrogance. It’s important to be relatable and approachable at all times. Your success is dependent upon building quality relationships as you strive to be a leader in any community, let alone pageantry. Embrace your pageant community at the state, local and/or national level by becoming an active part of it. Having good networking skills will help you represent yourself and the Miss America Organization in a positive light.

Get more tips on networking when you subscribe to fourpoints!

Written by: Amanda Beagle is a fourpoints magazine contributor.