Hi queens! In this blog post I’m going to share with you three details that I believe are key in deciding which system or pageant to compete in. These are details that you need to pay close attention to and analyze, because they will give you insight into the operations of the particular pageants that you are looking to compete in. They will also let you know if the pageant aligns with who you are as a person. This information is moreso targeted towards girls who want to compete in the bigger, more popular systems like Earth, Universe, America, etc. but these tips are definitely applicable on the local level as well.
Cost
The number question you should ask yourself is can you afford to compete in this pageant? Pageantry is still a business and the numbers have to make sense. Typically, in the bigger pageants you’re moving up through the ranks. You get your local title, a state title, then your national/international title. So you have to think about what that looks like for you financially in the allotted amount of time. Can you get sponsorships? If not, is this something that you can fund on your own or will you need financial support from friends and family? Do you need to save up for awhile so that you can afford to compete without going into any sort of debt? It is very important for us as pageant girls to consider this and to compete on the levels that we can afford. Pageantry is not going anywhere and is never more important than your housing, food, and everyday expenses. The title that is for you is already set aside for you, you just have to make sure that your journey to it is financially responsible.
Commitment
If you win this dream title can you realistically commit to being an impactful titleholder in the season of life that you are in now, and in the seasons of life that you could possibly enter into during your year of reign? Are you open to traveling? Do you plan to be more impactful with virtual appearances? Is recruitment a more realistic definition of commitment to you? How committed are you going to be as a titleholder for this big system that you plan on winning? It is important that you have a clear definition of what being a committed and present titleholder looks like for you. You also have to make sure that you know what would be required of you as a titleholder beforehand so you won’t be in a position where you win and you have this long list of appearances, commitments, and demands that don’t fit your life.
Culture
Diversity and inclusion aside, you must ask yourself what does this system stand for? What do they advocate for and do they back up their words with actions? Do those actions align with the action that you would take on particular topics of social justice, diversity and inclusion, fairness, kindness, transparency, and national board to titleholder and contestant relationships? You have to look at the systems that you’re thinking about competing in as organizations that you would volunteer with or donate your money to. Do they pull on your heartstrings in that collaborative way where you want to work with them and you want to represent them? You have to do some deep soul searching to ensure that the pageant system that you’re competing in aligns with you morally, ethically, and just in overall values. When you decide to compete in this system you’re representing them. Anything that happens in the system, positive or negative, is also going to be attached to you because you have that crown on your head and you have that sash across your chest that has that system’s name on it. People will see you and everything that’s happening in the system as a pair, so you want to make sure that the system aligns with your views, morals, and your ethics.
I hope these tips are helpful in your decision-making process! If you would like to watch the corresponding YouTube video to this blog post click the link below! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=22ycg8UyLVI&list=PLdKf_Cakc2U8d23VUxjXfCMuwoO9XOnJ6&index=54
