More Than a Beauty Contest Cities of America Pageant 2009

20 December, 2009 - Blog, Uncategorized

A little over a week ago I had the opportunity to experience first hand the Cities of America Pageant National contest. I was asked to judge this competition along side some incredible judges across the Nation. More importantly I had the chance to take part of a competition I had pre-conceived notions and biased views.

To Contact Cities of America Pageant or to learn about local pageants please call Nationals at: 1-800-454-3420

Like many people out there who have never been around pageants my mind wondered to a pretty girl standing on stage asking for world peace, and that’s about it. When I was asked to judge this competition I had to consider it, then decided that I was being very unfair with my pre-conceived ideas without ever seeing first hand. Basically, I was doing what I tell others not to do, judging without knowing anything, you know the saying, “ignorance is bliss”, and I was ignorant. So, I live my life by the actions I speak of and challenge others to live by. I went into the competition with a open mind, and ready to be impressed.

The Cities of America Pageant is a truly unique pageant. You never hear the staff or directors of the pageant refer to the competition as a “beauty pageant”. There is no swim suit competition, these girls are judged based on their personality, character, confidence, and grace and beauty as they take their stage. I was amazed at the girls, their accomplishments, their dreams and desires. Their actions they take everyday to achieve a personal level of greatness and service to others. Beautiful young ladies of all sizes, nationalities, backgrounds, and circumstances. I met dreamers, kind & charming confident women.

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I heard many different reasons for their participation in the pageants and ultimately the National competition they were at. It was more than the chance at over $25,000 in prizes, cruises, cars, and more. Many of the girls before the city competitions never competed before. They were shy, reserved, never spoke in front of a crowd. They walked away with confidence, they learned the importance of a strong confident walk, and how these seemingly small attributes changes their whole physiology and creates a self power from within. I heard from parents, who started as very skeptical, and say after the local competitions, “I never knew she had that in her”!

The Cities of America Pageant was something, that I now strongly support, I also see a value for girls who want to achieve greatness in their lives. Today, men and women are faced with different challenges they are not prepared for. In my life and career, I have had to play many roles, be a different character depending on the environment and country. I had to learn to become sophisticated, charming, and learn the “small” skills not taught in school. These small skills which make the largest impact I am talking about used to be taught through a finishing school, some fraternities, and sororities. How to walk, sit, eat, manners, personal communication skills with a few, or in front of many. How to adjust your speech and answer questions completely and without all the “ums”, “you know’s”. These are important, very important life skills. The Cities of America Pageant teaches these skills, and does a tremendous job at it.

The hardest part I was faced with was judging and trying to narrow a sea of amazing girls down to only 10. I grew attached to these girls, I new their dreams, family, their life. It was hard, very hard and then being asked to pick One from the top 10, when you wanted them all to win. These pageant girls as the are referred to, are the future leaders, they are brilliant, and special, and they care for others with a true compassion for others. I am proud of all them and very proud to have been involved.