Pageant life is stressful but it can be very rewarding. There are so many things that go into preparing for a pageant. You need to be very committed if you want to participate, considering they take a lot of money and dedication.

Riki Hunter, the pageant director of the Alliance pageant, what it is like being a director she responded, “Like directing most things, it’s a lot of work but very rewarding. Probably meeting contestants and their families is the most rewarding part.  Whether a contestant wins or not, they become part of the Miss America sisterhood. I’ve been a local director since 2007, and several of my local titleholders have placed at the state or become state titleholders.  I also had the privilege of being a director to Teresa Scanlan, Miss Nebraska 2011, who later became Miss America 2011!”

When asked what a pageant day normally looks like Riki responded, “The day of the pageant is filled with rehearsals, rehearsals, and more rehearsals.  We learn the opening number and practice modeling on stage in the morning. Contestants also meet up with their pageant little sister (local girls ages preschool through 5th grade) and have lunch and learn the little sister routine.  Contestant interviews and talent rehearsals are in the afternoon. We usually have about an hour of downtime to just chill and hang out and eat! Pageant is at 6! It’s a long day but when the pageant starts, it’s all worth it!”

Chloe Blumanthal did the Miss Outstanding Teen Alliance pageant last season and she explained the pageant process as a competitor “The first thing is to figure out what the pageant you are competing in entails, all are different, some don’t have certain things others do, so always be ready for any changes, adjustments, or cuts in the competition.”  

This is the process:

• It is always best to prepare for interview everyday. I ask myself questions everyday and come up with answers so I am always ready to answer anything. The judges can throw whatever at you, from politics, wind turbines, the me too movement, transgenders, wasps, Trump, NE history, to the Federal government, I have had them all.
• The next part is talent. I am a singer so it takes me a while to figure out a song and practice it till it is perfect. (Most of the time I do this many weeks in advance.)
• Next is dresses, that’s kind of the best part besides the cost, putting on a big sparkly dress is kind of amazing.
• Physical fitness is more about having fun and being sharp so that is pretty relaxed. Other than that it’s just about fun. Getting to know your fellow contestants and spending time with you little sister.

• Community service is a huge part as well, Children’s Miracle Network is mainly the one we focus on but any are great. I have done over 7,000 hours of community service not only through this program but outside of it as well. Last year at Miss Nebraska’s Outstanding Teen each contestant had to raise 250 dollars to compete in all I ended up raising over 700!!”

I’m participating in my first pageant in January and I, for one, can tell you I’ve dedicated a lot of time to it. I’ve spent hours perfecting my talent and practicing interview questions. I’m very outgoing, so I talk a lot and that is very helpful in the pageant world because you have to give speeches and perform in front of tons of people. The best part about all of this is that you get to put on an amazing dress and talk about something that is important to you.

Pageants aren’t easy or just about a pretty face, it’s working with an organization to help your cause and I can’t think about anything more important than that!