4. Say Hi!
I am a firm believer in the benefits of pageantry. They give their contestants public speaking skills, interview skills, and most of all: confidence… and it shows! National finalists are some of the most empowered young women in the country (and guess what? You’re one of them)! Get to know the interesting girls around you, and I promise their intelligence will blow your mind each and every time. The pageant community creates uplifting environments for girls just like you, so share your platforms, exchange numbers, and change the world together!
Here’s a challenge: Introduce yourself to and get to know three new people everyday.
3. Make Peace With Reality
Every girl is equally deserving of the crown. Despite this, only one will walk away with it. No matter how hard you work for the title, there is no way to ensure the judges will choose you. The sooner you make peace with this, the more fun Nationals will be. The decision is out of your hands, so why worry about it? This realization makes it easier for you to set goals that you can control (read more about that here). Focus on yourself and the experiences you’ll gain from the pageant, as winning will never be the only thing that matters.
Remember, something that is not yours cannot be taken from you, and something that belongs to you will be given to you.
2. Competition-Mode is for Competitions
I don’t know about you, but I have a serious game face when it comes to pageants. I can’t help it! I put a lot of time, sweat, and energy into preparing for Nationals and nothing is more rewarding than seeing my hard work pay off. However, I can’t let my competitive mindset get the best of me throughout the week. The only time you should be in your competition-mode is during competitions. Rehearsals are not judged. Neither are offsite trips, Thanksgiving dinners, and pajama parties. Because of this, there is no need to keep your guard up during these events. Nationals is supposed to be the best week of your year; don’t be afraid to let loose throughout the week. Laugh as hard as you can, and smile as wide as possible.
1. Live in the Moment
Nationals is full of once in a lifetime experiences that you can never relive, so make sure you’re present throughout the week. Try to minimize the time spent on your phone, especially when surrounded by other finalists. Make new friends, try new things, and don’t forget to take pictures!
I wish you the best of luck at your national pageant, Queen!
Jordan