Capturing the pageant crown is not a one gal show. Success in pageantry requires a squad to cheer a contestant onto victory. If your new to pageantry, chances are you have seen one too many catty pageant movies, therefore you perception of pageantry might be scued. Once you let your guard down you will find that competing is a family affair and tons of fun.

How to Support Your Pageant Queen

Setting up your pageant girl up for success is simple. With a little creativity, you can be very helpful and encouraging supporters. Here are some activities that will point you in the right direction when supporting your girl:

1. Know Her Goals: There’s a huge difference between aiming to win Miss Strawberry Festival and wanting to be Miss USA. No offense to the Miss Strawberry’s everywhere! There is a marked difference in both financial and time commitment.
2. Sweet Stuff Helps: This is the fun part! Find interesting ways to encourage your PG (pageant girl). For example: a mix tape of upbeat songs for backstage, a monogrammed dress bag, or maybe a trip to the MAC store. These activities will tell your girl you love her win, lose, or draw.
3. Her Biggest Cheerleader: It’s you! You are her greatest asset. No one wants her to win more. When you are at church, work, or school, keep in mind how the people around you can help. Do you know groups needing community service, potential donors, or pageant contacts? Cheer her on by networking on her behalf!

As her pageant family you need to understand the courage required to compete and then bend over backwards to help make her victory possible. Pageant systems are set up to encourage the young woman that give their all to compete and the people who love them an opportunity to encourage them!

This article was written by Kristen Darden, a pageant coach out of Tennessee. To contact Kristen for a consultation, email Kristen.Darden@gmail.com.

Community Service is a pillar of all pageant systems both large and small. We use our titles to be a positive impact to the people around us. Choosing a cause to champion can be a tough choice. Here are ten pageant platform ideas that might speak to your passions and why I think they are worth a double take:

Pageant Platform Ideas

1. The Boys and Girls Clubs of America

This organization has a great national presence as well as a local impact with a variety of character building programs.

2. The Children’s Miracle Network

As the official Miss America Platform, this network is supported heavily throughout our nation and abroad.

3. Girls Scouts of America

This group is tried and true. You can have a lot of fun with the girls, plus you can’t beat the cookies!

4. Read Across America

Literacy is a pageant platform that can have a high impact for its participants. This organization sets people up for lifetime success.

5. Girls Inc.

This is a favorite pageant platform idea of mine. Their mission statement is to inspire girls to be strong, smart, and bold. This modern girls group has a more activist feeling than a traditional non-profit organization.

6. Second Harvest Food Bank

Nationwide banks provide food to 37 million low-income families. Following dreams is hard when you are hungry so this practical platform helps people truly in need today.

7. Dress for Success

For the fashionista in you, this worthy cause gives a dress and a new energy for employment fight.

8. Susan G. Komen Foundation

Breast Cancer awareness is one of the most important causes of our lifetime.

9. The 50 Million Pound Challenge

This cause is one that gets people talking about their health and challenging themselves to live and love better.

10. Make Your Own

With an open mind and an open heart, you can be an active problem solver in your local community. Find an issue that means something to you personally and go after bettering the world nearest to you!

This article was written by Kristen Darden, a pageant coach out of Tennessee. To contact Kristen for a consultation, email Kristen.Darden@gmail.com.