When it comes to pageants, making appearances is one of the most important parts of your title role, as if you were the overall winner you will have to attend events as part of your winning contract. I remember entering Galaxy for the first time and in the information pack there was the saying, “You can either hang your sash on the wall and let it gather dust, or wear it out until the side’s fray”.
There is nothing worse than a beauty queen being crowned and keeping the sash as decoration whilst the runner ups and other contestants are still making appearances after the finals for that pageant.
Different pageant systems accept different appearances that count so make sure you check the handbook as things you may think count might not. I’ve won Miss Publicity a few times because wearing that sash before the finals and using the title to make it count is the reason I started competing, however others aren’t so lucky to have the time or know where to start.
These are my tips on, personally, what counts as an appearance for most pageants-
A picture in your sash does not automatically count as an appearance
If I took my sash on holiday and took a snap on the beach, have I done anything to benefit the system? By wearing the sash you are promoting the pageant but what are you promoting, a holiday? It’s a great profile picture but not an appearance. When you are at an event with your sash, documents with photos, if it is a charity event, networking event, for the younger ones a school visit but NOT a night club shot!
The Press won’t always get your title right, but will always count
The press doesn’t understand pageant titles and the many different systems so may get your title wrong. If you are in your sash that will explain but make sure your press release is as clear as day. Include your title, the overall final, pageants usually send a press template in their welcome pack so feel free to use this. If you have a photographer take your photo, get that sash in! If not get those to credit the pageant otherwise if you aren’t talking about the pageant in the article it won’t go towards your points.
Charity appearances- beauty with a purpose
Charity appearances are the best to include in your pageant portfolio; they show that you are the caring, charitable pageant queen that you say you are. Many pageants have a chosen charity so fundraising for their charity shows to the judges and the director that you have taken on their system spirit. There is so much you can do with different charities so get creative!
From abseiling, jumping out of airplanes, paint runs, sponsored silences, cake stalls and so much more! It’s not just fundraising the money but also donating the time and items. Having a spring clean and donating items to charity shops, collecting items for the homeless (but be tactful with photos when it comes to the homeless), donations to dog homes and volunteering. There are charity social media campaigns which can count in some pageants (YEMI count the likes of the smear for smear campaigning, odd docks and wear it out).
Make sure you have permission for some charities but always get involved locally and at other beauty queens events for various charities, it’s always fun to do appearances with other queens!
NEVER DOUBLE SASH!
Competing in another pageant with a different system sash?!A massive no no in appearances, the same photo but the sash changes each time. The same goes for competing in another pageant and at the interval pose in a sash which is a completely different system. It’s disrespectful to all pageants involved, the judges and directors will see all these photos and see that they are not genuine appearances.
Being a multi title holder is always a taboo subject in pageantry, and some pageants will have clauses to not let this happen. Personally I have been in this situation before, and I will dedicate one title to those appearances, especially if you have been involved as a certain title then you change into another sash it confuses the organizers.
However if you are competing with regional titles, I see no harm if you are competing in other pageants but if you do win the national title then you need to choose one system because after all if every single girl entered just one pageant system until that final (let’s say 9 months until final), other pageants would not get contestants, it truly depends on how much you want to win that certain title (but that’s a blog for another day!)
Also wearing a sash whilst competing in another pageant is not an appearance as you aren’t promoting their pageant and the judges will mark you down.
Overall appearances should mean something, that you are doing something with your title. Pageants like Miss Galaxy and UKPP will only accept appearances where the sash is being used, (, town events). Pageants like Miss Inspiration accept social media appearances as well as fun charity campaigns to encourage others. Some pageants accept an appearance outside a monument or a different country (I know FOTG used to). READ the finalist handbook and it will explain, and if you have any doubt? Ask the director! It’s better to be safe than sorry, thinking you’ve bagged the publicity award when half didn’t count.
Remember use your sash, get out in your community, inspire others and wear it until you can’t see the title anymore (rhinestones always help with that!).
Hannah
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