Envision Your Reign

Delaney Delgado National Cover Miss Pre-Teen With rising costs of everything pageant related, it may be worth it to look into sponsors for your daughter's next pageant. Here are some helpful tips on how to get started. 1. Planning for sponsors . Make a list of businesses that you regularly patronize and make a calendar of when you would like to make your first contact to each of them. In addition to those businesses, contact other small businesses in your area. Usually 'mom and pop' businesses require less red tape and will be more readily available to donate. Create a speech that your daughter can memorize that explains the nature of the pageant, that the expense is tax-deductible and how the sponsorship will be used. 3. Sponsorship levels . Create levels of sponsorship for potential donors to choose from. This will make it simpler for a donor to figure out how much to give. Create a handout or letter of the sponsorship levels and include it in the packet (explai...

Top 5 at NAM Nationals 16 in the Junior Pre Teen division Here are the Top 10 Must Haves for Serious Pageant Competitors: 10. Photographer - Serious pageant girls need headshots for comp cards, program books, photogenic competitions, and social media, too! Selfies and school pictures will not be sufficient to achieve the effect of a serious pageant competitor. Be sure to get a photographer that specializes in pageant headshots rather than a mall studio or another specialty type. They will know just how to capture the contestant so you can submit winning photos. 9. Photo Editor - This may be the photographer or another vendor. Photographers can take excellent shots, but if the shot is marred with fly-aways or bad acne, it just ruins the whole photo. 8. Photo Printer - www.mpix.com is a highly recommended online printer. Images are ordered and they come right to your mailbox. What good is a fabulous shot if its on a bad print? 7. Hairstylist - I can't cou...

1. "Hi, my name is...." You can bet money that at least 30 other contestants will say the same exact phrase. Don't do it. 2. "In my spare time, I like to..." There are a million other ways to convey your hobbies without saying explicitely "In my spare time, I like to...". Be creative! 3. "When I'm not....you can find me...." It's so overused, I'm sick of taking about it. 4. "Once again..." Really? They just heared it 15 seconds ago. Don't waste your seconds by repeating information. Use them to take your intro to the next level...a memorable one. 5. "Thank you, have a nice day." Another time-waster. A sincere smile will convey gratitude. It's all in the delivery, not just the words. Leave that out of your speech. Read Don't Make Theses Mistakes During Personal Introduction and How to Write a KNOCKOUT Personal Introduction Speech  for more tips on how to make your speech S...

I could spend the next year counting the number of times I've heard a speech that sounded like, " Hi, my name is Mary Lou Smith and my favorite color is blue. When I grow up, I want to be a veterinarian. Once again my name is Mary Lou Smith. Have a great day." The key to writing a knockout personal introduction speech is that you have to be original; you have to be creative, you have to be innovative and tap into the contestant's personal strengths that make her unique. An awesome intro will have nuances of imagery sprinkled with figurative language that grabs the audience and judges' attention, makes them laugh and think-- Hmmmm, this is a truly interesting person-- and it draws them in, engaging them to listen through the entirety of the speech. A knockout personal introduction will be so powerful that when the contestant leaves the stage, the judge can still remember exactly what she said. A personal introduction speech that...

When I had my first pageant mom experience, I was green to everything. Even though I had what I thought to be massive amounts of 'pageant-ing' researching under my belt, it didn't prepare me enough for some of the things I encountered once we got there. Looking back at some of those old photos, I chuckle because I would NEVER choose any of the hair, make-up and wardrobe selections we went with at that first pageant in a million years. I will admit, my daughter looked a hot mess. The irony of this is, that we'd spend so many endless hours toiling over what to wear, hair, make-up, shoes, etc., that we neglected the most important part of the competition all together: interview. It's been said that the competition is won in the interview room. I believe this wholeheartedly! From experience, once interview becomes the main focus of your pageant prep, that's when you begin to see higher scores and higher placements. Here are my tips on things to keep in mind wh...

NAM State Finalist Blayne Brown is exciting about winning her optional contests and placing 2nd RU in her first pageant. 1. Get her a coach.  Girls who are winning state and national titles have at least one coach, whether it be her mom, teacher, or a more formal type of coach.  Is it possible to win a title without a hired coach?  Sure!  When the contestant is self-motivated, dedicated by putting hours of time to practice, an above average researcher, and has an amazing platform, it is possible. I have seen this happen on several occasions, but in many more instances, the girls getting crowned happen to be the ones who have a dedicated person or team of individuals facilitating her success. NAM National finalist Damacia Howard poses with her parents at NAM Nationals. 2. Help your daughter create a winning platform . A platform is an issue or cause that the contestant chooses to donate her time in an effort to serve others or bring awareness t...

NAM State Finalist Bria Jones before her winning interview Write out print out a list of interview questions. Cut them up into strips and place them in a container like a shoe box.  Place it next to your bed.  Each night pick out one question.  Read it and answer it aloud as if you were in front of the judges.  Repeat this process every night until your pageant to gain the confidence you need to win! Photo provided by NAM State Finalist Natalia Davalillo Envision your reign.

National American Miss Texas State Finalist, Natalia Davalillo 1. Confidence Booster This is especially true if your daughter is not very actively involved OR if her activities don't have many opportunities for individual recognition/honors.  Pageantry is good for highlighting each and every contestant for their own unique talents and strengths.  It gives each contestant an opportunity to shine alone on stage whether they're performing, speaking, or even just walking. Contrary to what some may think, even if a girl doesn't win it all she can still achieve a great sense of accomplishment from what she did gain while preparing for and competing in a pageant. It makes girls feel good when they're recognized! NAM National Finalist Blayne Brown celebrates with the Spirit Stick She Won 2. Builds Communication Skills There is not one sport that I can think of that lends itself toward speaking with authority, assertion, and eloquence in commun...