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Subject: Mrs. Contestant Author: Interested participant [ Next Thread | Previous Thread | Next Message | Previous Message ] Date Posted: 10:33:19 12/23/08 Tue Hello all! I was married a few years back. And I competed in pageants up till then. I always thought that once I got married, I would hang up my high-heels and concentrate on another aspect of pageantry other than competing. However, as most of you know, competing is ADDICTIVE and I miss it so terribly bad. However, when I mentioned to my husband about maybe competing in the Mrs. America state pageant ... he laughed and thought that I was joking. He could not believe that there are pageants for married women. Some of my friends also thought that the idea of an older woman beauty queen is "silly". I am not saying that my hubby or my friends would not support me if I did go for one of the big 3 titles, b/c I think they would. But they had never heard of older women (28 +) competing and I have to say, I am a little worried about the perceptions of others. (I know, I shouldn't be ... but admittedly I am) Do any of you face this or have faced this? It has discouraged me a little bit, but I still want to compete. Any advice/thoughts/comments? [ Next Thread | Previous Thread | Next Message | Previous Message ]

Replies:

[> Subject: Mrs. State at 28... Author: c/i [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: 10:58:46 12/23/08 Tue I competed for the first time at age 26, and won my state title at age 28 (27?? I don't remember if I had turned 28 yet)... I did feel weird telling people when I first started, and I especially kept it out of my professional life. I mainly did because I was a high school teacher, I definitely did not look 28 at the time so I tended to blend with students, and I always felt I had a hard time being treated professionally and with respect by my colleagues. I thought the fact that I was now a "pageant girl" would make them think even less of me. Well, I realized that it was ALL in my head! Once I won my state title, I invited some of my closer colleagues to my celebration as a way to test the water, and it spread like wildfire. I was met with a lot of congratulations and acceptance!! A lot more than I thought!! My mom was so proud of me, my sister (also a teacher) proudly put a picture of me in my crown and sash in her classroom, and the athletic director where I coach will still sometime greet me with a very loud and jovial, "Well if it isn't the former Mrs. North Dakota!" So, I think you will meet the nay-sayers out there--they're there, trust me! But, those who matter will be proud and will stand with you every step of the way--win or lose! I would just like to say to the people who would look at me with judging eyes--I would like to see YOU up on stage in a swimsuit or evening gown and walk in high heels without falling, all while answering a spur of the moment question without saying "um"!! :) Good luck to you, and I say, spread the word! [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> Subject: I did my first pageant after I was married and there were many people who asked why? Author: Click in [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: 12:55:05 12/23/08 Tue Many people asked why I would want to do something like this. I had a lot of people who made fun of what I was doing. This made me want to even get out in the community and state more to show people that I have a reason for doing what I am doing. I competed in the International system so my platform played a large part of getting me out into the community. After people saw the good things I was doing with my platform in the community they changed what they were saying and saw that I was doing a good thing. As a Mrs. we have to set good examples and be real life role models for others in our state and community. I would say look at it as being a role model for others and not just as competing in a pageant. There should always be more to a beauty queen than just her crown! [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> Subject: Beauty queens don't enjoy the level of prestige they used to decades ago, so pageantry doesn't have as many fans, obviously. There are always those who look down on it, but there are still many more who appreciate the status of their queen and the doors that can be opened. I was surprised that my non-girly boss thought my competing was so great. However, she saw my drive as healthy, the experience as great practice for my work life, and the opportunities available to the company in a title, should I win one. You never know. The bottom line is that pursuing what you enjoy most helps to create a more well-rounded, confident individual. Author: pa [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: 18:22:25 12/30/08 Tue [ Post a Reply to This Message ]