How to win a pageant

From Miss America to your small town beauty queen competition, pageants are an icon of Americana at its finest. Preparing for a pageant is easily one of the most stressful and competitive endeavors you can take part in. Between choosing outfits, rehearsing speeches, practicing for the talent portion and obtaining a rock hard body, there leaves little time for anything else. If you love to compete and wish to win a title, keep the following tips in mind.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Great work-out plan
• <br>Healthy diet
• <br>Mentor or trainer
• <br>Special talent
• <br>Great communication skills
• <br>Unique personality

1. Know all of the logistics of the pageant you plan to compete in. Keep important points in mind, such as cutoff dates, application deadlines and requirements, pageant dates, and rules. Many candidates are eliminated simply because they failed to do their research on the pageant. Make sure you'll be able to get to the pageant location for rehearsals and events.

2. Maintain a wholesome persona. Many beauty queens are ousted from the competition or their titles because of bad behavior. If you like to party and drink with friends, try to stay in more. You can go out, but always maintain an aura of professionalism and elegance. The less you look like an out-of-control party girl, the better your chances of winning the crown.

3. Practice speaking. One of the most essential components of pageantry is the interview process. Practice answering questions you might not be comfortable answering. Know your strengths and your weaknesses in order to improve in trouble areas. Have your pageant coach or a close friend ask you common pageant questions. Know about current events and social issues. The more you know and the calmer you appear, the better you will score.

4. Pick out outfits that match your personality. Simply because you're in a pageant, it doesn't mean you have to sacrifice your sense of style for over the top glitz. Go with a dress or swimsuit that really feels like "you" when you're wearing it. The more true you are to yourself, the more confident you will feel.

5. Be confident in who you are and what you stand for. Twenty-first century pageants are very different than the old school beauty queen competitions you've seen in movies and in pop culture. There is no longer a "standard" beauty queen and many women from many ethnic backgrounds are involved in modern pageants. If you feel you look different, embrace it. It makes you unique.

6. Come up with a fitness plan and hire a trainer. Hit the gym and really work out hard. Though beauty pageants do emphasize brains and personality, beauty is still a huge factor in winning the crown. The more toned and lean you feel, the more confidence you will emit.

7. Go with a talent that makes you stand out from the crowd. Many pageant girls sing or tap dance, but really dig deep in your personality for a unique talent only you hold. Maybe you're great at stand-up comedy or can breakdance better than anyone you know. Don't assume that judges only want to see "girly" talents. Show 'em what you really have hidden.

Tips & Warnings

• Go tanning, but don't overdo it. The orange glow look of yesterday does not hold well in modern pageants.
• <br>Drink a lot of water and eat lean proteins and vegetables. Your skin and body will thank you for it.
• Never be a sore loser. No one likes a pouty pageant girl. Be a gracious loser even if it hurts.