I hope everyone is staying safe during these frigid and icy times.  This winter season has certainly left its mark in the Midwest and east coastal regions.  This month I was scheduled to appear at the World Marriage Day celebration but could not due to inclement weather and the travel advisor restriction that was issued for that area.  World Marriage Day honors husband and wife as head of the family, the basic unit of society. It salutes the beauty of their faithfulness, sacrifice and joy in daily married life. The theme for World Marriage Day has been permanently adopted as "Love One Another". This phrase is the commandment given us by Jesus in John 15:12. It speaks to us in a simple but challenging way of how our Father wishes us to live. Loving one another is a daily decision, simple but challenging.  I have been a supporter of this event for over four years.  In Indiana, this event is sponsored by the Indiana Healthy Marriage and Family Coalition, of which I currently serve as board member, Counsel and Personnel Chairperson.  The mission of the Indiana Community Healthy Marriage & Family Coalition is to identify and promote the value of healthy marriages and vibrant families.  We provide seminars and workshops throughout the state of Indiana that focus on strengthening marriages and families.  As most married women can attest, any undertaking that focuses on strengthening marriages and families is vitally important.  Family was the first institution established by God and the social fabric of our nation begins with the family unit. 

As married women, and especially those of us who are pursuing their passions and platforms through pageantry, know that it is imperative that we strike a balance between work and our families.  So reflect during this month of love and marriage celebration on ways to include your loved ones in your passions and events, as well as ways in which you can always let those closest to you know that they are special and loved.  I feel blessed to have a supportive husband who also has a philanthropic passion that he pursues (feeding the homeless and mission work).  He is committed to monthly volunteer endeavors in this area and I find it so rewarding to support his service passions.  He is very supportive of all of my volunteer endeavors and we work as a team. 

Beauty Tip:

During these cold winter months, don’t forget how important it is to moisturize and protect your skin from the sun! Continue to use a moisturizer with an SPF of at least 15.

Competition Pointer:

I am often asked about various methods to improve in the interview portion of pageant competition. This is the most important aspect of the pageant – those of us who repeatedly interview well have acquired/ mastered a skill that is vital to pageantry success.  It is area in which the crown is won. My advice simple, know your message and invest the time it takes to become a good interviewee.  I approach any title as a job – in essence that is what it is.  You should prepare for your pageant interview in a manner similar to that of any job interview – know what you want to highlight about yourself before you go into to the interview, practice selling yourself for the position and highlight the attributes that you would bring to the position and speak clearly, concisely and honestly.  This approach entails several additional components and steps that require you to really take the time to develop interviewing skills.  Remember, it doesn’t matter if you have 5 minutes, 10 minutes or 45 seconds, a competent contestant/queen can sell not only herself but the system as a whole in any length of time.  After all, you serve as a spokeswoman for your system, at any given time, you may need to impress future sponsors for the system and may only have a short sound-bit moment to do so.  Judges are looking for your ability to be a well-rounded and effective spokeswoman for the system in which you are competing.

I really advise that most contestants utilize some form of pageant coaching – whether that takes the form on a live in-person coach or the use of correspondence materials. I’ve seen women spend more time and money on making multiple local appearances and/or their wardrobe than on developing their interview skills – they may often place but can not obtain a title.  .  This is often due to the under-appreciation of the amount of time and effort it takes to be an effective and winning interviewee.  While promoting your local title and your physical presentation is an important aspect of pursuing a national title, the interview is truly where the crown is won.  What good does it do you as a local titleholder to have a wonderful platform and numerous appearances if you can’t articulate and sell the relevance of those endeavors to the judges?!  Remember, it is not about the length of time you have for an interview, it is about the quality of interview you provide to the judges.  So take a great deal of time to invest in yourself and your interviewing skills!!

Peace, Blessings and Tiara Kisses!!

Juanita