The Impact.

One thing I always have to remember is the impact these pageants have on some people. Sometimes more on one person than others. Like pageant mom's, are most of the time the most supportive mom's alive. No I'm kidding, but they do put a great deal into working with their child. They do the makeup the hair buy the supplies, work on routines, all that stuff. And when they win, they feel so proud. It's more of a bonding thing than anything. I've heard mom's say that nothing matters when their daughter is on stage, because she looks so beautiful, and nothing can touch her. If that's not love, I don't know what is.

To know that you have someone supporting you makes it a lot easier almost. Because when you are on stage you have people out in the crowd you know that love you.



The only bad thing about pageants I think...is all the insecurities it brings along with it. More than likely, all the girls your competing against, are in shape. And it seems like there may be no flaws on them, but flaws on you. And every time you get dressed, or put makeup on for that certain competition, it leaves you feeling, like you could have done more. You constantly compare yourself to others, and it seems like there is one common goal; to lose weight before the pageant starts.

Or to make sure your hair is long enough, or to be perfect. When in reality- you know you will never be perfect. As sad as that is, sometimes it's hard to remember who you are, when the world around you is... fake. And my only problem is knowing that those little girls may be different than who they are then, by growing up too fast I guess.



But there are so many things you can gain from them as well;

Confidence- I've never been afraid of a crowd, ever.

Beauty- You can always bring out the beauty in others, and not to mention yourself.

Persuasion- telling other people about things, promting, basicially never backing down from a challenge.



And last an ablity to challenge yourself in whatever you do, because after all, it is a competition. And it may not affect you at all in the long run. Some people say it's a waste of time, and yeah it has it's complications, but it's not all that bad.



I remember who I am, and they remember who they are too.

Facts

Did you knowwwwwwww, pageants are considered, a "sport"?

There is at least 700,000 beauty contests held each year, only in the United States. And that 3-4 MILLION people enter them each year.

All lot of people think that pageants are just spinning around in a dress but really there are a lot of catergories, like ;

Talent; like singing, dancing, playing the piano, whatever floats your boat.

Swim wear; is a scary thing, sparkly bikin's is usually what it consists of.

Sports wear; anything you could do a sport in, although I wouldnt be able to do a sport in it.

Western wear; Big hats, brands, and cowboy boots, oh not to mention lots of beads, and sparkles.

Casual wear; likeee school wear, something you would wear out, but cuter.

Formal wear; The main event, and usually what your being judged on, so this ones important, have a good dress and a nice smile I say.

Those are basic ones but I have heard of some crazy catergories. But i guess it depends on the peageant, and the circumstances.

I want to also let you in on a little secret, everything that those girls are wearing, is most likely fake. Like, their eyelashes, hair, teeth, and probably almost a lot of other body parts.

But what's really fun is when you are 5 years old, and your pageant coach tells you that your going to work out... work out! At five ! So yes, I would say people do some crazzzy things. Don't always be afriad of girls like this. Because it's always so sterotypical. I think that doing it acts almost as exposure. Every time you do a pageant you become known to SOMEBODY. so the more you do- the better it is. The prizes can range from scholarships, lots of money, a little money, to a bike, and candy. But hey; a prize is a prize.

Pageants

Many girls from the ages of 5-27, do pageants all over the United states. Going into a pageant you never know what to expect, I've had personal experience. When you walk into the hotel, or ballroom, that it's taking place in. You look at all the girls, and not one of them are smiling at you, It's a competition, so until they talk to you, your nothing but a girl they have to beat. They look you up and down, to see what kind of :

Dress you have.

Clothes your wearing.

makeup you have on.

events your in.

smile you have.

Face you have.



And I'm sure many more, but that's the basics. The feeling you get when you arrive there is a mix between nerves, and excitement. There really are SO many things to think about when your doing one of these, and no one really knows how hard it is, unless your actually doing one. The positive things about doing a pageant, is the way you feel when your on stage. Now many people believe it can take anything to stand on stage, and smile, and twirl. But really there are 6 lights on you, cameras flashing, music playing, and 200-500 eyes staring at you. So if you have stage fright, you would probably not make it up the stairs. But when your up there, it takes a great deal of confidence to stand up there, and say okay hey, I'm beautiful.



My mom got me into pageants when i was 8 months old. Verrrrrrrrrry young. And to be honest, I'm glad I was so young because it made me the person I am today. It gives you a drive, because i know some girls who go and don't eat anything at all for the whole weekend, until the last competition, and then they pig out. Some girls say it's worth it, and then people say oh well that's crazy. But when really, they are making sacrifices for what they love to do. Okay I'm not encouraging it - but still.



I think more people should give it a chance, pageants have been around for over 60 years, and are a great way to earn scholarships. and money. And now more girls than ever have been competing, actually, all over the world.