Random Tips

Okay so this post, random topics, mostly I'm really mad and just want to write, because I like writing, and I already published a post on my other blog, and I think people would freak out if I published to posts in one day.
  If any of you care, which obviously you don't (which may not be true) I do plan on posting more about NAM when open call starts up, or whatever. Plus I am signed up for Natianols so I might actually know more.
  Okay, so something I think is really important for first time girls is to have a reason you want to win. Especially the older girls. The judges do not know how much if any community service you have done, except for what's on your resume, but they want someone who at leasts wants to do it.
  Darlings, if you really hate community service, don't go out. You would have a really bad year.  But I'm assuming you don't hate it. I'm assuming you might be interested in trying it out, or maybe you already do that. Let the judges know about that when you can.
  Interveiw is hard to be serious in, because of what they ask you, but try and keep the goal in mind.
 
  Okay so my next tip is on clothes, there were 172 other girls in the Iowa Jr. Teen. You're gonna have a hard time being remembered. THAT DOESN'T MEAN BUY A HUGE DRESS! If you win because of a dress NAM isn't NAM. Sometimes plain dresses win, actually, a lot of the time. Love you're dress, but you don't necessarily want that to be how the judges remember you..
  A good way to be remembered by them is to have almost the same hairdo every time they see you, don't switch from a bun to down, curls to straight, have one hair do, it can change a little in interveiw and formal wear, but again keep it as close to the same as possible.
 
  Let's say you've done all 3 required parts, and you're ready for the pageant, you don't know it yet, but you're in the top twenty (five, ten, whatever number the judges replace)., when you walk on that stage you are being re scoured. They are watching you in dance, they are watching you in formal, as you receive your prizes,and they are saying is this girl who we want. So when you are doing you're finale pageant, look your best. So many girls were like, either I won or I didn't, why should I curl my hair. 3 answers, you might be rejudged if you scoured high enough, people are filming, and watching, and if you win, you'll want to look ah-mazing for the crowning.
 
  Okay so now you lost. Keep practicing for next year! So few girls ever go back. They think it dosen't matter. Learn, try, win. I hope to be queen someday, and see one of you go to nationals with me, but neither one of us will if we don't try, if we don't think about it, if we don't care.
  Good luck!
                                Love Shadow.

More on Interveiw

Why, if NAM scores equally on all three categories is interview such a big deal? I think it's because they score the most drastically on it.
  So here are even more tips on interview, well one really.
  Start looking at questions (you'll get examples at some point, and if anything strays to far far from those then they probably won't be asked) and start thinking about things in your personal life that you want them to know. Fireflies, your dreams, chocolate cake, anything you love, start thinking of ways to put those in simple questions. Also start thinking about ways to make the most out of their questions. Make them want to get to know you.

  I still need the $. Thanks.

What do you want to know

 I understand that it is helpful to ask questions, and have them be answered specifically so if you have a question you can email it to me at whispermustang@yahoo.com I'll try to answer it. :)
  You can ask about any of the required competitions, or any optionals besides talent and top model.

Interview

Interview is really easy, although for me it was the most scary, and I' pretty sure I messed up with it. Number one goal is be yourself. I would advise you to practice with someone, that makes me feel weird, so I recorded a bunch of questions on my MP3 player (yes I know, I'm old fashion) and can play them back.
  Someone once told me that the judges want to see

1. Warmth 

2. Intelligence 

3. Charisma 

4. Humor

  In the questions they ask, that's pretty hard, but keep it in mind. Relax, and don't stop smiling. Be fun!!! They have to talk to a lot of boring girls, and get all the same anwsers, who's your role model? Mom.

  If she is your role model, yeah, tell them that, just realize you need to spruce it up. She's already listen to a million (7 in my case) other people give her that answer, so add a touch of personality.

   Smile, and try not to stutter. Always recite the question. "Who's your role model?" "My role model is..."

  They are probably going to ask you a few questions about yourself and some simply for fun. They probably won't ask about your resume, but know it well just in case. 

  I am trying to raise the money to go to California this year to compete in spokes model, the link to my go fund me account is in the about me box, please help me make my dreams come true. Thank you!

This has nothing to do with NAM

I promise I'll post more NAM later, but right now I'm trying to win a book. If you're a fan of Rachelle Rea, or if you just like to read you should check it out. Go to Inspiring Daring

The Christmas Bracelet by Sherry Schumann ~ A Book Review and Giveaway!   

Ha! There's the link right there!!!! Yeah, all the info is in that blog post.

Personal Intro

Hey guys, I don't know how many of you who view my page have a blog, or if you are just browsing the internet for tips. If you have a blog, I'd really appreciate if you would follow me. I mean, just to know that I'm not just writing to the air. Or maybe comment, I have another blog, and honestly, if I don't get some feed back I might stop posting tho this one.

  Now, onto the topic.
  Personal intro, are you more scared of it, or one of the others? A lot of people are nervous about this one. I wasn't.
  My tips.
  1) Be yourself no matter what I write down if you aren't comfortable with it don't do it.
  2) Leave a 5-7 sec space. The intro is 30 secs long. Leave a cushion.
 3) Don't go over the time.
  4)Don't go below 20 secs (my personal intro was one of the short ones, 13 secs, I don't know if I got points off, but all the girls in the top five had longer intros.)
  5) Have a fun start. Everyone says Hi, my name is... Be like, 16 and ready to drive... (actually don't, because it's not original) (trust me it's not) I 'm still going to start mine out that way, like I said, be yourself.
6) Follow the requirements. Hometown, name, ambition. YOU HAVE TO STATE ALL THREE
 7) Smile and make eye contact, be confident, even if you aren't
 8) Know what you will say before you go on stage. This is a big deal a lot of girl's don't.
 9) Have fun
10) Talk loud.

 The suit- look at NAM on pinterest they have suits.

  If you have any questions about anything, ask. Or any more tips, I'd love to know them.

  Again if you'd like to donate so I can go to Nationals the link is in the about me box, or on a different post. Thank you :)

Resorcues

www.youtube.com/user/niellish94/videos
 This is a most watch (all her tip videos) this girl won her first year, and won the Coed pageant as well in her state.  I loved watching he NAM vlogs, and her tips are really good (that and she's actually very entertaining not to mention gorgeous). As far as I can tell this is the best you tube advice channel for NAM. Also watch Miss Kendell's perfect score formal Wear and the Perfect score for personal intro (remember you now have only thirty seconds.)
  Note- posture is very important in everything pageant.
  www.thepageantplanet.com
  Okay I don't think this link is going to work for you, but it's still the address, so copy and paste. (I know I know, I'm making you work harder. The girl who did the above videos recomended this place, and although it's good, I think other things are better, but it has a lot of tips.
 Seriously, follow NAM on pinterest!!! 
http://www.pageantperfectionsbyandrea.com/elite-pageant-journey
  I love this one! I get her emails, and although a lot is her just telling people she wants to coach you, she is very... educational! Subscribe to her, like her on FB and check out her blog.
  Just remember, no matter what, be yourself in your walk, in your intro, in you interview!

  I'm trying to raise money for nationals, please help by donating, for more info click on the link in the about me section. Thanks.

Formal Wear

Hi everyone!!!
  This post doesn't include anything about the dress, see below for that.
  Okay so if you're like me, the thing you'll be most nervous about is formal wear. But you probably aren't like me, and are just excited about it and traumatized about personal introduction.
  Its very simple, to win you most look like you won the stage. The end goodnight.
  Seriously, the girl who won looked like she had all the time in the world. But you know what most defined her to me? She stood in the door way (stage way) and looked at the judges, with an amazing smile then glanced at her escort before walking. Don't ignore him. She looked like she was always in the spotlight, She looked so in control, and yes confident.
  Practice makes perfect, but when you practice, don't always use a mirror (now you're all, YES that's an awesome idea!) you won't have a mirror on stage, and you should just practice loving your dress. Walk in it, in heels, and just love the feel. Love everything, so you'll love it when you go on stage.
  Also, always wear you're imaginary crown. Seriously, this helps you when you feel stupid with anything.
  Formal wear the most common mistake- people play with their dress. It looks, well horrible, and its distracting, you always want people to look at your eyes, not your dress. Also, if the dress is too long you need it altered, but do not, I repeat, do not lift it up on stage as you walk. That is fatal flaw, don't do it.
  Do stand in pretty feet whenever you stop, even (and they shouldn't) if your feet can't be seen.
  Warning! Its very hard to make eye contact with the judges, which is why you should try to do it as you first come out. FIRST IMPRESSION is vital. They don't have the time to judge you after you leave, by the time you're walking they could already be writing down scores.
  It is dark in the audience and blinding when you first come on. Keep smiling!
  You need to walk naturally. Which is hard. It looks good if you can swing your arms without looking forced, at the shoulder more than the elbow. Don't look stiff. WALK LIKE YOU ALREADY DO. There are so many tips on how to walk well, try them, but if it's not you big deal. Its better to lose as yourself than to win as someone you aren't.
  Finally, as you leave the stage, look at the judges one last time THIS IS YOUR LAST CHANCE, look like you don't want to leave the stage. This is the one thing I did well.
  Above all else, have fun. Walking on stage. It's amazing if you let it be!

  Hi my name is Alicia, and for the first time I competed with National American Miss!!! And while my results were far from perfect, I am proud to say that I have won 2cd runner up in Spokes model and am trying to raise the money and go to California this November to give a speech. If you would like to help me you can donate at,
http://www.gofundme.com/34138o

The Dress :)

Okay so you've done the open call, the prep session and now you're really excited, and totally ready to get a dress!
  Number one thing you will learn in NAM, the dress isn't really what matters. Don't think I'm saying it shouldn't look good, it should, in fact it should look killer. You need to feel perfect in it. Let me repeat that you need to feel perfect in it. 
  If you're like me you are closer to flat broke, not rich, and can't really afford a dress. If you're like me you'll end up with a dress you shouldn't have worn. I actually have four "formals" all fifty and under, one free. I should have worn the one I was given, but I didn't because it was a bridesmaid dress, and I had read somewhere you shouldn't wear a bridesmaid dress.
  Don't believe everything you read.
  One thing I learned is you need a long dress. This is so true! They say you can wear any length, but you should wear a long that covers your shoes.
  Why? Number one, no one can see you're legs, which are going to do everything you don't want people to see (shake, trip, catch) a dress hides that. Two it's way more elegant. Two and a half, I think the judges take points off for short dresses.
  One of the top five had her shoes showing, but other than that there was no one in the top thirty with short dresses.
  Another thing I learned is you need to feel beautiful.
  Look, I knew I didn't look horrible, but I stood there, in my little red dress feeling awkward because number ten had THE PRETTIEST DRESS in the pageant. Number 9 and 7 both had puffy skirts, and mine was really plain. I felt really stupid standing next to them.
  Now, plain dresses are great, someone did win once with a white dress no embellishments (I bet it was a brides maids) The point is, you need to feel extra amazing in your dress. One hundred percent perfect. I cannot stress this enough.
  What do the judges usually like (although the points aren't really scored on it, the judges usually like these dresses) one color with some sort of simple&sophisticated embellishments on it.
   Keep that in mind when you're looking, but seriously, don't thrive on it.  Find a dress you love, a dress you know even if everyone else has a "number ten" dress on you'll feel great in it. LOVE YOUR DRESS above all else.
  A great place to see dress examples is pinterest, follow NAM.
  Different divisions.
  Anything below Jr.Teen. Wear straps, and full skirts (Princess should be fancy (can be more casual), but she needs to be able to walk in it. Make sure she likes it, that's what matters)
  Jr.Teen, depends on how mature you look, like everyday on whether you should go strapless. They can take points off if they think it's immodest.
  Teen doesn't matter, strapless, straps, whatever.
   Love your dress :)
  Any questions? If you want you can email me a pic of you in you're dress and I'll tell you what I think. Outside opinions are good.

Hi my name is Alicia, and for the first time I competed with National American Miss!!! And while my results were far from perfect, I am proud to say that I have won 2cd runner up in Spokes model and am trying to raise the money and go to California this November to give a speech. If you would like to help me you can donate at,
http://www.gofundme.com/34138o
 

Prep Session

I'm actually not sure if that's what it's called but if you qualify for the pageant (once you qualify you're a statee finalist for life, or until you marry, have a kid, or turn 21) you will then get to go to a session that will teach you the basics.
  Now remember this whenever you get any information from NAM, they tell you the bare minimum. From formal wear to interview they tell you very little, enough, but not much.
  What you will learn at the prep session, to walk with your arms lose and head up, those are the two main points they give you. (I'll do a more in depth session about all three categories later)
  You'll get to have a mock interview with other parents. This is nerve racking, but very useful.
  And finally you'll get to say something positive with the rest of the girls as personal intro practice. This is ridiculously not needed.
  By the time prep rolls around you will already need to know everything you want to do for optionals. I did casual wear, spokesmodel, photogenic, and actress. They have you sign up (not pay) for the optionals at prep session.
  What do you want to wear? Well if you want you can get dressed up, but most girls wore jeans and a nice shirt. (Annie Moore, the Jr.Teen queen wore a dress, and so did most of the speakers, but all the kids wore jeans.)
  My advice for everything that day is to just have fun, when you go be ready to meet new people and have fun.  Prep session is really easy

 Hi my name is Alicia, and for the first time I competed with National American Miss!!! And while my results were far from perfect, I am proud to say that I have won 2cd runner up in Spokes model and am trying to raise the money and go to California this November to give a speech. If you would like to help me you can donate at,
http://www.gofundme.com/34138o

Open Call- Info & a note to the parents,

Okay this is for all you girls who just got their letter and are frantically searching the web trying to find information about NAM (Or if you're a parent doing this). Step one is for you who have unconvinced parents. Go get them. I want to talk to them.

  Hi parents, how are you? I know you many have issues with the idea of having your daughter do a pageant. Especially if she's like four. Here is the official website.www.namiss.com I suggest you go to it and read up on it. The stuff is very basic, but will give you info.
  Now from someone who has don this already. They are very against anything immodest, and they are very careful to build you up, not tear you down. Everyone is really nice. If you have doubts or anything, just ask me, because this is something I can answer.
  Finally no one likes the pushy parent, help them, but don't be upset if they lose, and realize the girl who own is just better at what she did. Your daughter is better at somethings, and other people are better at some things. I'm sorry but deal with it, and be ready to let her try next year.

Here's a note for the girls who think they are to ugly/fat:
  I won't lie, being pretty/thin doesn't hurt, and I'm defiantly not perfect in those departments (foundation is  a miracle :) ) But that isn't what these people are looking for, and I think you have to be careful in Intro no to look "too pretty". There are plenty of girls I've seen win who are (my opinion only) less than average in the looks, and plenty of bigger girls as well. Do  it anyway, and even if you don't win it's a good confidence booster.

  So open call basics. Come in, fill out a "resume" which includes your activities and grades, blah blah, easy stuff. You will be brought into an interview room, and talk to one person. She will be looking at your resume and ask questions from that. You leave.
  They say only fifty percent of girls get in, but a lot more than that really do. I think as long as you make eye contact, keep your thoughts together, and don't wear jeans (I sincerely advise a skirt/dress) that you should get in. So relax and have fun.. Its basically practice for interview in the pageant. (Except in the pageant they don't even look twice at your resume.)
  Questions?
 
 Hi my name is Alicia, and for the first time I competed with National American Miss!!! And while my results were far from perfect, I am proud to say that I have won 2cd runner up in Spokes model and am trying to raise the money and go to California this November to give a speech. If you would like to help me you can donate at,
http://www.gofundme.com/34138o

Reasons for this blog

 Hi my name is Alicia, and for the first time I competed with National American Miss!!! And while my results were far from perfect, I am proud to say that I have won 2cd runner up in Spokes model and am trying to raise the money and go to California this November to give a speech. If you would like to help me you can donate at,
http://www.gofundme.com/34138o
 But this blog isn't really a way for me to get money, I want to help other girls who are thinking about competing in NAM.
  Like I said, I didn't do great, but I have learned a lot, and can defiantly help first year girls in formal wear, intro and interview. I can also give information through my experiences with spokesmodel, casual wear, actress, and photogenic.
  So stay tuned for information, and if you have any questions girls, or parents I would love to try and anwser them. I absoultly loved NAM and I know you will as well.