The American Dream Pageant

It use to be once a woman got married or aged out of the Miss America or Miss USA systems, the pageant door closed in her life. For women who enjoy using pageants as a tool for personal growth and a way to experience the different opportunities they provide, this is a bittersweet moment. Then the pageant door reopened for married women with the creation of the big three married women’s pageants - Mrs. America, Mrs. United States and Mrs. International. Over the years, more and more pageant systems have been created to accommodate the dynamic changes in the demographics of the contestants in the pageantry world. Just because we get older and get married, that doesn’t decrease our love of competing in beauty pageants. So I am always excited when I see different pageant systems created because it provides continual opportunities for women to keep growing as individuals. This week I interviewed the national director of the American Dream Pageant, Stephanie McClain, and the reigning Miss American Dream queen, Kristin Adams, to tell me about the American Dream Pageant http://www.americandreampageants.com/. Stephanie has a long pageant history and has served as a pageant director for many years. Some women only dream of participating in a pageant. Stephanie wanted to provide an opportunity to help fulfill that dream; and, support an opportunity for the titleholders to use their platforms to make a difference in the world. There are 7 different age divisions in the American Dream Pageant: Teenager (13-16) - 5 minute panel interview, swimsuit, evening gown, on-stage question. http://www.americandreamteenager.com/information/ Teen (16-19)-5 minute panel interview, swimsuit, evening gown, on-stage question. http://www.teenamericandream.com/information/ Miss (19-29)-5 minute panel interview, swimsuit, evening gown, on-stage question. Never been married, pregnant, or had children. http://www.miss-americandream.com/information/ Mrs. (21-no maximum age) 5 minute panel interview, swimsuit, evening gown, on-stage question. http://www.mrsamericandream.com/information/page3.htm Ms. (21- no maximum age)-5 minute panel interview, fitness wear, evening gown, on-stage question. Can be single, married or divorced.http://www.msamericandream.com/information/ Lady (40-59)-5 minute panel interview, fitness wear, evening gown, on-stage question. Can be single, married or divorced.http://www.americandreamlady.com/information/ Ms. Senior (60- no maximum age)-5 minute panel interview, fitness wear, evening gown, on-stage question. Can be single, married or divorced.http://www.mssenioramericandream.com/information/ When I asked Stephanie what she was looking for in her titleholders, she told me the system is looking for real women in today’s society. All of the American Dream queens must have strong speaking skills and a platform they want to do something with. Stephanie highly recommended joining a group like Toastmasters and working with an interview pageant coach to hone these skills. It’s also, very important to complete and submit your paperwork on time. The wardrobe for each age group must be age appropriate, classy and in good taste. If you’re 13, don’t dress like you’re 18; and if you’re 60, don’t dress like you’re 25. The focus is to have fun, and make your dreams come true. Winning the crown should be the beginning of journey, not the end. Kristin Adams is a graduate of North Central State College in Mansfield Ohio with a degree in Radiological Sciences. She is employed by a local health system as a registered radiologic technologist. In her spare time she enjoys nature photography, lifting weights, running, and spending time with her bulldog and retired greyhound. Her platforms are the Soldiers' Angels organization where she has sent over 100 letters and care packages to American troops serving overseas; and the Central Ohio Greyhound Rescue where she rescued her greyhound, Ray. Kristin’s pageant background includes the Bellville Fair Queen, Sunburst and Miss Ohio USA pageants. In recent years, she missed competing and started looked for a pageant that she could enter. The fitness wear competition was the motivation she needed to get back into shape. I asked Kristin for her list of helpful hints for winning the national title of Miss American Dream. Here is her winning list:

• Don’t go into debt to do a pageant. Invest in coaching and a well-tailored interview suit.
• Write out your packing list and start packing 10 days before you leave.
• Arrive a day before the national pageant begins so you have time to unpack, steam your clothes, and relax.
• If flying, take an empty suitcase or one that is almost empty, so you have room to bring back your contestant gifts, souvenirs, and new trophies and crown.
• Pack some protein powder, protein bars, almonds, raisins, and other healthy snack foods.
• An empty water bottle that you can refill and have with you all the time.
• Hire a coach to work on your interview skills.
• Thoroughly prepare, stay positive, have fun and be yourself.