I wanted to look at another type of "media" and maybe look for some positive aspects in it

Pageants . . . Oh how often we hear the word and oh how often we hear the differing opinions truthfully I'm surprised that they have not yet come up as a topic in class yet, But yall know me always looking for the new and exciting so I thought Id dive into this topic headfirst . . . Or is it feet first ?

Im sure we have all heard some sort of argument on pageants
"They demolish girls self esteem"
"They create confidence and poise"
"They put pressure on girls and families"
"They are a scholarship opportunity"


Well thats all fine and good . . . But what are they really ? And what about the different types of pageants? Where do you draw the line ?

Wikipedia defines pageants as

"a competition based mainly, though not always entirely, on the physical beauty of its contestants. Almost invariably, competitions for men and women are separate events, and those for men are not referred to as beauty contests. Beauty contests for women are more common, and winners are called beauty queens. Beauty contests for men, like Mr. Universe, are more likely to be "body building" contests—quite unlike the traditional "beauty contest" in which women are judged upon many attributes other than physical. However, in the 1990s, male "beauty contests" began to shift focus. Instead of only considering unnatural muscle mass, the competitions began to judge the natural physical attributes of the contestants as well as their physiques. These include Mr. World and Manhunt International."

The Miss.USA pageant website defines its delegates as
"These women are savvy, goal-oriented and aware. The delegates who become part of the Miss Universe Organization display those characteristics in their everyday lives, both as individuals, who compete with hope of advancing their careers, personal and humanitarian goals, and as women who see to improve the lives of others. Currently, Miss USA is experiencing a rebirth, playing a critical role in making the next 100 years "The Century of Women." "

Makes it all seem fairly simple doesn't it ? I mean obviously pageants are the devil and the Miss.USA corporation is lying so that no one suspects them of ruining young girls lives . . . Well maybe not. What about things such as cotillions and debutante balls? Well these as well must certainly be evil because of there premise of teaching young women manners and civility as well as arts such as ettiquitte and ballroom dance oh no seems strangly like the lady phenomenon again. Well maybe not.

My town in Alberta offers an event every year to the grade 11s called "queens ball" 40 years old this year and before that it was Nanteen. The event is institutionalized you dream about this you plan on this. The program starts in September where pairs are made boy girl pairs witht he girl commonly known as the "candidate" and the boy as the "escort" Mostly because the girls are queen candidates. After this the real work begins with 2 hours of ball room dance and 2 hours of ettiquitte a week you learn everything the waltz,vieneese waltz,jive and the rumba as well as how to walk how to talk how to hold a tea cup and how to cross your legs. Lets not forget how to pivot and how to curtsy or if your a boy how to escort and seat a lady. Halfway through the program (towards the end of October) is a fashion show where clothing from local businesses is modeled as well as one outfit of the participants choice this outfit is commonly known as the tea outfit and is what will be worn for the formal tea with the judges on the final day of the program. The fashion show is also important because it is the candidates and escorts first experience of the program when they are formally judged (although at the beginning of the program all participants are required to submit a resume of sorts as well as a casual photo")
After the fashion show the work begins again this time focusing on dance as well as more tea ettiquitte. And then about a month and a half later the big day has arrived. For the girls this involves early morning hair appointments (mine was at 10) then you go home maybe eat something and then get your tea outfit on and get picked up my your escort, You then arrive at the tea and are seated by your escort (girls and guys have separate teas) The tea consists of about an hour or so period of drinking tea munching on little dessert type things and being interviewed by the judges. After this is over its time to go home and change into your formal wear. Then you go to the old age home because the Seniors like to see everyone all dressy, Then you go to the school and begin the one on one interviews thats right an interview with you and your escort and 5 judges these questions usually consist of current events politics,issues etc. After this you get to chill out for a bit and then the ball begins. A dance portion where you display your ballroom skills and then the dance floor is opened to the public. At midnight the crowning begins (queen,best escort,best escort runner up, miss congeniality,mr congeniality, best dancers,most improved dancers, Greg dawson and donna nienaber awards) And then the night is over one final waltz and the culmination of 3 months of work work work.

So where did this leave me ? With a new found respect of pageants and so much else. My biggest gain was the ability to go into any situation and feel completely comfortable, a sense of confidence and yah some poise etc. But more then the personal gains was the community you go from a group of 30 to a single body a single goal and everyone wanting to work towards this goal.
I'm not saying all pageants are good, But I do think that some things that we see as negative can have a positive impact, We need to choose our battles and not be looking for who to blame.



She is everything I need that I never knew I wanted
She is everything I want that I never knew I needed
She is everything I need that I never knew I wanted
She is everything I want that I never knew I needed
The Fray~She is