Monday, February 27, 2017

Social Media: Friend or Foe?


Social media has become such an integral part of our lives. We love to post, tweet, snap and hashtag every moment of our day and share with friends, family and followers. As a titleholder, however, your social media has a greater impact than others. Everything you do is judged by a different standard as you serve as a role model for your outer community. Heres some key tips!

What Should Your Social Media Accounts Look Like as a Titleholder? 
Many pageant titleholders create separate social media accounts for the duration of their reign, or, now, as social media become more prevalent, some titles come with an already established social media page and set of accounts. While having a separate account for your reign can help increase brand awareness of the pageant, this does not mean that your personal account has escaped the judges eye. Your personal social media account should be reflective of you as a titleholder just as much as your titleholder account.

Privacy
Just because your account is private doesn't mean it can't be viewed. The pageant world is small along with the college world. You never know who knows who and how that could impact your pageant future. 
Avoid posting pictures of partying, drinking, extremely controversial issues or behavior that some may find inappropriate. While these are things to avoid, you should stay true to yourself. Social media is not about creating a perfect world and image, its about being you and sharing that with your followers. 
 “Just as we encourage them to be their true selves during their reign, we encourage them to have their own voice on social media,” said Josh Randle, Chief operating officer for the Miss America Organization, in an interview with the Press of Atlantic City in 2016. 

Keep it Clean
 Coming back to the idea of keeping your social media clean. Let's do some Spring Cleaning!
Go back to the beginning of all of your social media accounts and comb through them.  Even they re from your pre pageant era, it is still important to go and take a look at them. Ask yourself: is the appropriate, is this how I want to be viewed?
"Clean” your social media accounts before taking on the position of a titleholder so you don't run into any problems. It's always better to be safe than sorry. Think: what would Miss America do? 
Although you may only be a local titleholder, or even just considering pageantry, there is no time like the present to make sure your social media is sending the right message. 

Build a Brand People Can stand Behind 
 Social media is a tool used to promote the system and beliefs of the pageant that you represent. Most importantly, it is brand recognition for yourself as well as the pageant. Your social media accounts should reflect the brand you have been chosen to represent. As a titleholder, you have to be conscious of the items you post and how they represent the system as a whole. Make sure that your personal brand, the pageant’s brand and the brand messages you convey via social media are consistent. 

Going Forward 
 Social media has become a huge part of pageantry and sometimes is even mentioned in the titleholder contract. As a titleholder or a potential titleholder, it is important that your social media look accordingly. As you move forward in your reign, be sure that your social media align with who you are. Monitor your social media closely and make sure they portray a positive image at all time. Although you may not always be a titleholder, it is likely that society will always view you as one, so make sure your social media accounts are a reflection of that!

Wednesday, February 22, 2017

Top 5 Interview Outfit Trends

 5. The Jumpsuit- This is the hottest trend in Miss America style Interview wear. In more conservative state like Georgia, Alabama, and Mississippi this might not be acceptable just yet, but in state like Florida, California, and New York- Go for it!! Miss America is rebranding, they are looking for a modern classy woman. Jumpsuits are stylish and so in. I love this jumsuit worn by Miss Tennessee 2016 for her Miss America interview.
 
 4. Now this is not my favorite choice for an interview dress, but this smart look could work for some girls. This is a more conservative dress with a structured neck. I would have paired this dress with a differnt pari of shoes. I do like her choice to wear her hair up in a coiffed ponytail.           
 3. Peplum Stuctured Dress This is a classic example of a great Mao interview, but the peplum adds a modern flare. A peplum dress is universally flatering. Go with a color that compliments your hair color and skin tone. Just be careful becuase there might be quite a few other girls rocking this style. But it classic, it fits, and it wins.
   
 2. An A-line dress with a flare A-line is another one of those universally flattering dresses. I love this tiered dress worn by Miss New Jersey 2016. I love that she chose a white dress in stark contrast to her dark hair. Pair this with a pair of spicy heels and you are set!
 
 1. I am in love with Miss South Carolina 2016 Rachel Wyatt's interview look. While I am usually a fan of bright colors, this jumsuit coordinated perfectly with her reddish- blonde hair. This jupsuit was crisp and classic. I loved how she paired it with a simly show and classic curls.

Monday, February 20, 2017

Miss Daytona Beach in Photos

Photo from the recent Miss Daytona Beach/St. Augustine/Ponte Vedra Pageant. This pageant serves as a prelim to the Miss Florida pageant in the Miss America system.

The Pageant kicked off with Miss Florida's Outstanding Teen Angelica Jones reading opening remarks and wishing the girsl good luck!


After completing the Swimsuit phase of competition, the girls moved on to compete in the Talent portion. Talents are one minute thirty seconds long and are worth 35% of the judges scores. Above Lexie George is picked playing her rendition of White Water Chopped Sticks.


Before competing in the Evening Gown segment, the girls took to the stage for a parade of contestants! Lexie George stood out in white alongside Arianna Genovese in a Gold see through gown.


And the Crowning has began! Pictured above is Lexie Geogre, crowned as Miss Daytona Beach!

And thats a wrap! The competition crowned three lovely ladies with Lindsey Bettis taking the top title of Miss St. Augustine, Lexie George as Miss Daytona Beach, and Arianna Genovese as Miss Ponte Vedra. All three will move on to compete at the Miss Florida competition in June!

Wednesday, February 15, 2017

Miss Universe Iris Mitteneare facing backlash in France

Monday, February 6, 2017

Top Five Reasons to Compete in a Pageant

I can say with complete certainty that my time as a Miss America Titleholder has been the most memorable nad impactful time of my life. I will always remember the first time I stepped foot on a Miss America local stage, the joy, the anticipation, and the confidence. I encourage everyone to give it a try, even if its only once. Here are my top five reasons for entering a pageant. 1. Pageant are Fun!! Let's face it, most women love to dress up! When you compete in a pageant you get to wear beautiful dresses and sparkly jewelery. You basically get to be a princess! What little girl doesn't dream of that growing up? Its a dream come true! 2. Friendships Another big piece of the fun are the friendships you make behind the scenes. When you enter a MAO local, you ahve lots of down time during the day. This is time where you get to interact with the other competiors. Picture 12 to 20 girls running around in curlers and singing at the top of their lungs to Justin Beiber. Most people think that pageants are full of caddy backstabbing girls. This could not be further from the truth! While you will always have a few bad seeds, you are ost likely going to be surrounded by sweet, geniune, and smart girls. 3. Memories that last forever Those memories that your making behind the scenes will stay with you forever. When you compete at the state level, you will have a whole different experience! This is the time that these girls will become your sisters! You spend nearly 24 hours a day for 7 days with you state queens, and emotions are running high. There is nothing to describe the sisterhood that forms during this week. By the time of finals night, everyone will be cheering the finalist just as if they were up there on stage competing. 4. Boosts Confidence What better way to boost confidence that have 50 other girls cheering you on? Your Miss State sisters will be with you cheering you on well past the state pageant. Having so many strong, smart and beautiful grisl cheering you on is empowering! But also just getting up on stage and putting yourself is the best way to figure out who you are unlock your inner diva. There something about getting on stage dowsed in Sally hansen spray tanner, tippy top heels, and a sparkly swimsuit that can make anyone a victoria secret model. That confidence will bleed into your every activity. You will bring a newfound confidence in your school, work and social life. 5. It Opens Doors Speaking of newfound confidence. Beauty pageants are so much more than just a pretty face! The skills, confidence, and connections that you develop while ocmpeting in pageant are vital to future. Many former MAO competitiors go on to have successful careers. Look at Gretchen Carlson, former Television host at Fox News, actress Vanessa Williams and Miss Florida 2007 Laura Rutledge who seres as host for ESPN.