Upcoming Pageant Teaches Beauty Isn’t Only Skin Deep

To those who believe that beauty is only skin deep, Laura DiDonato would have to disagree. For the past the past 30 years, she has run the , something she designed to help “inspire creativity, confidence and positive self-expression in today’s youth.”

“Myself and my daughter, Gina, have competed in pageants our whole lives, and we wanted to change the negatives to a positive experience for everyone,” said DiDonato, owner and artistic director of the Academy of World Dance N Arts.

For the past five years, she’s hosted the pageant in Poway, where every participant receives professional instruction in acting, singing, dancing and general pageantry. DiDonato says the top winners have the chance to participate in September’s Poway Days Parade.

But aside from training, each participant receives something DiDonato feels is much more important— recognition of their individual qualities.

“From each pageant we watch contestants’ self-esteem and confidence rise up before our eyes,” DiDonato said, who noted that this year’s pageant is not only the biggest to date, but will also have the most male participants.

She added the most rewarding part for her is “seeing young ladies and gentlemen learn to be contributing members of society, and see them motivated to find purpose in their lives.”

The pageant is open to children ages 4 to 17, with a week of training Aug. 6 to 10. The official pageant will take place Sunday, Aug. 19. For more information including cost or to register, visit worldancenarts.com or call 858-679-8277.