Casual Wear

This is probably one of the hardest optional contests for me to give advice on. Because I love it and I love modeling but I'm not really that great at it. However, I do have some tips.

 Number 1. Smile you may think this is obvious or you may be planning on going out all sexy looking and not smiling at all. Remember one of the things National American miss really looks for is a sincere smiling girls. So put your heart out there and smile

Number 2:  Make sure they see your whole outfit from the front and the back. So add some twirls.

Number 3 listen to the announcer while you're on stage. You don't really want to leave the stage until they say your name and your contestant number. Enjoy it while you're on it.

Number 4: You need to wear something original something that is you, but make sure you add some pizzazz so that you stand out.don't dress too casually but don't be too formal

Number 5: Practice.  Its called freestyle modeling but you really need some practice. make a basic routine but be ready to improvise when you're modeling with the announcer.
Good luck and have fun.

Please subscribe to my blog by following or putting your email in the little box on the upper right side. Thanks.

Optionals Spokesmodel!

Hi everyone!
  Okay so, obviously spokes model is the most hated optional (or at least the most feared) there is, which is obviously why I have to like it the best.

  Tips for spokes model 1)Look the part. Look put together and professional, because although NAM doesn't focus on appearances in anyway, looking professional, not like you just woke up (even though you probably did) is a big key. That means everything from perfect hair (not necessarily curled, but defiantly one hundred percent neat) to wearing heels and nylon.

  2) Be ready. You would be, or at least I am, surprised at how many girls not only don't memorize their script, but don't even look up once while reading it. EYE CONTACT IS CRUCIAL. I know it's scary, but seriously, there will be at least one girl who makes eye contact with the judges, and if she's the only one she'll win.

3) Have a CTA, and a what I am doing. A CTA is a call to action. Whether the topic is about a role model, or your community project, you need to have something to leave them to do, even if it's just, "So challenge yourselves to try to do your best at everything. CTA's are not required, but they add meaning to an otherwise pointless speech. Also you need to have a this is what I am doing. Both the girls who beat me mentioned what they were doing to help their "cause" even though they didn't both have causes. A this is what I am doing can be as simple as, "Every day I make it my goal to share a smile with a hurting person."

4) Perfect your walk. My interview heels are huge, and I made an awkward circle. That means the judges first impression was, she's awkward.  Walking is the easiest part, so practice it.

5) Be bold. In your word choice, in your stance.

6) Even if you aren't confident, pretend you are. Talk about something that matters to you, and make sure to remind yourself it's important so you need to present it as though it is.

  Well I hope you rock the speech contest (I sincerely hope you at least try it), I also hope you follow my blog. Even if you aren't on blogspot you can type your email into the box in the upper right hand corner, and you'll get a notification each time I add some awesome advice to this site (I plan on doing each optional!) You following me would be more radiant than the invention of the light bulb :)

Okay, this girl is probably too young to compete in spokesmodel, but she is so adorable.

 

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