I had planned to blog about my pageant preparation for the past few weeks leading up to the pageant to give people some insight into the real preparation, dedication, and sophistication that goes into pageantry.
It is not just about looking good and being a pretty face, especially the International Pageant, which I am competing in. This pageant is scored 20% on physical fitness in aerobic wear, 20% on fun fashion wear of your choice, 20% in evening gown-posture, confidence, and grace, and 40% on personal and on-stage interview.
This pageant supports community involvement and volunteerism. They expect you to be an intelligent, articulate, and approachable role model for the entire state of Minnesota, and that is what I set out to do each and every day of my life.
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So here is what life has been like for me while trying to prepare: I wake up to a protein shake and take my vitamins, rush off to work or internship for 6-9 hours, go to the gym for an hour, and then do homework for approximately 4 hours. When I am able to crunch in the time I am running errands to get dresses tailored, eyebrows waxed, sewing supplies to craft my own earrings, practicing walking in my shoes, and oh yeah....my family and friends.
I also managed to rally about 15 amazing sponsors that either gave financially or donated for my fundraiser that raised $585.PS, all this while going to graduate school at the University of Minnesota School of Social Work full-time. I have been a busy bee, but it is all worth it and for a good cause; suicide prevention and awareness. Minnetonka knows all to well the painful loss of a loved one to suicide, as do I, and when I step my shiny shoes on stage Saturday evening it will all be in honor of Angeline Stadler whom I lost to suicide in August of 2010 and will be promoting suicide prevention and awareness to help others from feeling the loss that we have.
