As mentioned in the previous section, choosing a cause that has an emotional tie to you and your past or your future is the absolute best way to bring out this passion in you. It's the Carnival Queen show! Miss Universe 2017 Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters. Advocating for mental health. The Miss Universe pageant has allowed transgender participation since 2012, and the first trans woman competed in the global event in 2018. 5 O clock! You can go so many places with that skill because most people dont even know how to thread a needle these days! Mrs. International 2013 Amy Gregorio found her passion and platform as a CASA, or Court Appointed Special Advocate. Drawing on our experience and that of others, we offer five considerations that mental-health-care providers, insurers, or employers should bear in mind as they embark on developing pay-for . But, just because your Grandfather grumbles about his gout, or some mean girls harassed you during junior high or on social media, does not mean that those are ideal platform ideas for you. Living with bipolar can be tough, and managing it perfectly is simply not possible. This is a very useful exercise that wont take long at all, and it will generate a plan of action that is tailored specifically to you and your brand. Some of the platform topics related to business, just to name a few, are women mentoring women, entrepreneurship and philanthropy. Your platform is not an entity unto itself. Now that we have explored the concept of leveling up your platform, its time to talk about how to drill it down. Read 107 Pageant Platform Examples (& How to Choose THE One)Read 6 Pageant Platform Money Raising Ideas That Are Guaranteed to Work!Subscribe to the Pageant Daily Miss America has been associated with The Childrens Miracle Network, and every woman who becomes Miss America, accepts the responsibility of being their ambassador. Cheslies pageant platform had its early beginnings when she was still in college. The pageant accepts that a simple beauty pageant may not be able to remove hate and violence totally, but they are determined to decrease negativity by promoting peace, love and understanding. Miss Universe 2017, Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters, created a personal platform that focused on self-defense, and she then made it her mission to empower women and keep them safe with her Unbreakable initiative, which she launched in 2017, while she was still Miss South Africa. Or, if you are more interested in expressing your inner Julia Child, you could combine your love of animals with your baking hobby. Miss Dominican Republic 2015, Clarissa Molina. You could help so many people and make money at the same time. Those kinds of activities are definitely a type of promotion, but they are not all that effective and they can be downright annoying or perhaps illegal if youre disturbing the peace or breaking a law. It truly is endless! Everything from how they look to what theyve accomplished is judged against someone else, and that isnt healthy.. As written in Psychology Today, issues with self-identity after a child retires from the pageant scene in her teens such as eating disorders, depression, and mental health issues are not uncommon, proving the effect of these contests on a girl's self-esteem and how their behavior towards physical appearance becomes borderline obsessive (Matina . You could still talk about dyslexia if you wanted to, and this type of a platform would give you so many volunteering and community service options. Your body paragraphs are where you really delve into who you are as a person and why you chose your platform. Best for drinking less alcohol: Reframe. Ker's exposure to pageants began at the age of 10, through a mentorship program known as the Fleur de Lis . You can achieve this in multiple different ways that involve the previous sections. by . Thats just what Miss Washington Teen USA 2019 Lily Lloyd did. Selling products that you make or distribute. Each Year U.S. United hosts events supporting . She literally works every single day from 9:00 in the morning until 1:00 in the afternoon packing up donations, sorting food and supplies, then delivering all of it to the park where she serves the homeless and other people who come to get fed. Covering your bases like this will not only help you to seal the deal with your judges, but it will help to make an impact with others should you decide to post your speech online. If you have a unique platformnot included here, please email us at [emailprotected] so we can include it here! If the person that you contacted cannot help you, they just might know someone who can. Weve all been there. This modern woman managed to combine her career and business acumen with her love of fashion and femininity in a way that showed she was bright and ambitious without losing any of her feminine appeal. Photo: Creative Sparks Imagery. Lets start out by talking about, The foundation of networking. Aside from temporal changes in body size among idealized women, there is a dearth of research on the association between beauty pageant participation and mental health. Just by taking a quick glance through your life and your own personal struggles, familial struggles, or the struggles of your neighborhood, you can find so much inspiration for creating the perfect pageant platform. Rachel has won the titles of: Miss Largos Outstanding Teen in 2014, Miss Florida Collegiate in 2015, Miss Florida International in 2016 and Miss Southeast International 2017. Were just trying to come up with ideas to raise money for your pageant. In January of 2018, she worked one-on-one with the state senator and was instrumental in seeing the very first house bill passed in the state of Massachusetts regarding eating disorder awareness. In fact, there are entire pageant systems established around the idea of ending the war on violence, such as, Miss Grand International. Choosing to look for issues in your community and talking to those affected by the issue you choose (homelessness, poverty, gun violence, or any other major issue) can help you to figure out ways to best serve those in your community. Mandy is also a mental health advocate. Miss America 2014 Nina Davuluri, adored animals, so she encouraged the public to adopt a cat or a dog instead of purchasing a pet from a breeder. Therefore, you are more likely to work hard in your cause, not only because you do not want to let your family member down, but also because you have seen them struggle throughout their life. You could even take it a step further and combine photography and doing hair and makeup! A pageant platform is an integral part of becoming a contestant and a reigning queen once you win the title that you are after! Miss America 2019 Nia . Photo: Instagram. Being able to speak about someone that you love facing a medical dilemma can be the inspiration for many passionate speeches and essays about how those battling the same dilemma can get through it. Catwalking in front of thousands of people wearing four-inch heels and a bikini does . As a result, you felt like the whole world was opened for you. com Thank You Kycuyu. In our modern society, these issues are so prevalent that most everyone can say that they know someone who has struggled with one of these issues at one time or another. Every person has their own personality, style and temperament when it comes to communication, and there are multiple ways that you can communicate about your platform that will be comfortable for you. In contrast, pageants seem to instill messages like "I should be flawless," "I have to be thin . Photo: Melissa Pocza. Sometimes, you may want to raise money for your platform because you care deeply about what you are doing, and your platform requires financial assistance from donors to survive. Platforms that are related to children can often be cross referenced with other categories as well. RAELYNN TERVEER, a Norfolk girl who recently was named America's Elegant Miss Nebraska Junior Preteen 2021-22, has modified the "I Can" Campaign she . child advocacy. Miss America 2015 Kira Kazanstsev. The other contestants raised money by holding their own pageants, gala balls, fun runs, quiz nights and cake sales. Pageants help women grow confidence, but they also create insecurities without proper mental-health care. Life Clarity; Camera Confidence; Awards & Media; Blog . And, one of the coolest things that Nia did while she was Miss America, was to re-record that song and then sell it online through the MAO website. In the sections below, we will take the time to illustrate these sections of your essay as well as what tone your writing should take on when you talk about your platform. Arika Burton states, "Becoming Mrs. DC America is an honor, and I am appreciative of the opportunity to reach a wider audience with my platform of raising awareness for financial literacy. Mrs. International 2013 Amy Gregorio collecting toys for foster children in L.A. Photo Facebook. Smile Train is an international childrens charity with a sustainable approach to a single, solvable problem: cleft lip and palate. A pageant like The International Pageant System is an organization that puts a major emphasis on service work and platforms, so its no surprise that two of their well known national titleholders in the Mrs. Division, embraced platforms that focused on helping suffering children. Welcome to the Pageant Platform Podcast! No, it's not because I couldn't sleep, or even the reverse, that I was just so anxious to start the day. You may just land an awesome interview! In fact, the best thing that you can do for yourself is to think of the big picture, and that includes your contacts and social network. Passion is contagious, and when you are passionate about a cause or charity, you can get other people fired up too. Choose a full-length gown with a full skirt to keep little princess looking sweet and youthful. The recent death of Miss USA 2019 Cheslie Kryst has prompted local beauty queens to speak out about mental health struggles and the weight of the crown. They approach the world as if there are no strangers, only friends they havent met yet! With the goal of becoming a nursing professional, Tarnia is advocating for the platform "mental health". One in four people in the U.S. will suffer from a mental health issues," Ker said. Being crowned Miss Black USA 2018 gave Kelsi a very powerful opportunity to speak positively to younger women across the country, and for that she is grateful. And, she does. Choosing a platform that means something to you, a family member, or someone in your community, is the best place to start, as you are more likely to have a strong connection with it. For first-year student Ellie Osborne, '25, winning Miss Teen North Carolina North America 2022 means more than just a title. If you are an empathetic person, who has the desire to impact a young life, then youll probably find your dream platform in this category. Writing your pageant platform essay may seem daunting at first, but always keep in mind the fundamentals of writing an essay: the introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion. Another national titleholder that created a platform based on her own personal history, is Nia Sanchez. You can also start a youtube channel if your platform is something that would fit this genre. Are you motivated to save an endangered species? Join Jesse Ladoue McMullen, our Queen of Customer Success, and Cara Mund, Miss America 2018, as they tell you everything you need to know about finding and starting your platform. I was approved by my neurologist to try feasible alternatives to my current prescribed medication in the hope of improving my quality of life. The problems and disorders under the umbrella of mental health are varied and include everything from suicide awareness to eating disorders. After spending years covering the fallout of abuse and neglect as an Emmy nominated TV journalist for CBS, CNN, and Fox, she took a step back from broadcasting and researched ways to use her skills on behalf of abused and neglected children. Knowing just how powerful this woman is, we have no doubt that she will do just that! The women who win the national titles always have the kind of platforms that have the ability to go global. Lauren is also a first year medical school student, with a goal of obtaining her Doctor of Medicine (MD) and pursue her dream career of becoming a pediatric neuro-oncologist. Some tips to improve your mental health. Then, there is the tragic story behind Victorias Voice, otherwise known as the Victoria Siegel Foundation. But, for now, lets concentrate on the myriad of ways that contestants promote their platform. Okay, okay, we know. Miss USA 2019 Cheslie Kryst. Unfortunately, there are a plethora of diseases and illnesses that afflict human beings. We are here to walk you through the process, and when were done you should be feeling a lot clearer about the direction that you want to go in. Over the years, beauty pageants have proven to be detrimental to the physical and mental health of their participants. . These types of ideas requires a financial investment, but they can be relatively inexpensive to make or purchase online at sites like Amazon.com. Since the 1920s, the country has been crowning women for their charm and grace through the Manila Carnival, a celebration of the friendship between the United States and the Philippines. Cheslie also created a ball gown out of newspaper for the competition! When you dig down deep and think about all the different skills, abilities and talents that you have, you are a treasure trove of money making ideas just waiting to happen! Photo Miss Global. If during the competition you never have a chance to speak about your platform, the essay needs to cover every single thing about your platform so that the judges have a semblance of what you have stood for thus far in your pageant journey. Two titleholders who have had intimate knowledge of depression and the resulting feelings of pain and isolation are Miss Black USA 2018 Kelsi Horn and Miss Global 2018 Sophia Ng. She's 27, with beauty, brains and charisma. There is nothing wrong with having an anti-bullying platform, if that is what you feel drawn to. Perhaps your Mom and Dad read to you because you could not read for yourself, and that one thing that they did made you feel so loved and accepted, despite the reality that you had a learning deficiency. The reigning Miss Black CA USA Autumn Rae and Miss Black CA USA Talented Teen Nasreen El-Shabazz are coming together to use their pageant platform to bring awareness and resolution to depression . Miss Universe 2019 contestants volunteering at the Children's Hospital of Atlanta. Some people have the gift of gab, naturally, and those folks make it look easy. National American Miss 2019 Kendra Hale. Choosing the right pageant platform is integral to how you can market yourself and begin to make a true difference in your community throughout your time as a contender for the title that you are pursuing. Nia was only five years old when she wrote her very first song. Best for OCD: NOCD. Sarah Schulz. If your platform is a charity or non-profit, this is certainly going to be the case. If you decide to delve straight in with your story in the introductory paragraph, you risk overwhelming your judges. Join Jesse Ladoue McMullen, our Queen of Customer Success, and Cara Mund, Miss America 2018, as they tell you everything you need to know about finding and starting your platform. With so many causes out there, how does anyone choose just one pageant platform? Kendra explains the personal feelings and beliefs that drive what she does; I live beside several counties that have high poverty rates. This category encompasses an extensive array of issues related to women, including everything from body positivity and self-defense to raising awareness of human trafficking and domestic violence and sexual assault. Just think of what can come from your networking efforts! Although she passed on the crown to a new Miss Universe, Demi-Leigh has no plans on giving up on her Unbreakable initiative. Its no wonder that so many of the ladies who have participated in the Miss America pageant in the past have been world class performers in their given field. Its very impressive for a 16 year old girl, isnt it? Her goal as the national titleholder was to educate children and adults alike as to the signs and risks of eating disorders, as well as how and where to get help for themselves or a loved one. So, first off, playing volleyball may or may not be a good money making idea, although, depending on your skill level, your experience and your desire, you may just make a pretty good volleyball coach. Listen to Steven and Jesse break it down for you in the podcast, "What is a Pageant Platform and How Do You Develop It?". Best for sleep: Calm. Photo: Lily Lloyd Instagram. Maura Spence-Carroll knows firsthand the barriers to care that exist for military members seeking mental . Kelsi believes social media is a culprit in the pressure young women apply to themselves. Lets find you the perfect platform! The coolest part of the Siegels story is that the Mrs. America Organization was so moved by their efforts, that Victorias Voice has now become one of the official charities of both the Mrs. America pageant, as well as its sister pageant, Miss For America. Sometimes we know the general direction that we want to go in with our platform, but it just feels too big,or not specific enough.It doesnt click. Many pageant systems have dedicated their organization and the work of their titleholders to enriching the lives of people affected by various diseases. Amazon Smile you can raise money for almost any charity there. Get to know the people who you see everyday around town and listen to what they may be struggling with. Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray in the slums of Tondo. Get ready for the return of Miss Dominica 2023 on February 16, 2023, at the Carnival City. Are all three of you the same? Are you educating people about the history of the Red Cross? When Kira was a young college student, she experienced an abusive relationship with her then, boyfriend. around the country. Its time for another brainstorming session, so get out your pen and paper and lets get down to business! What we mean by leveled up or up leveled, is that your platform can be easily implemented on a larger scale. Got any ideas? She then pulled on her creative design skills and her proclivity as a social media influencer, and ultimately forged a service oriented purpose and platform that was undeniably her own. Her pageant platform was, Celebrating Diversity Through Cultural Competency, and her motto was, Celebrate diversity and adopt a mutt., Miss America 2014 Nina Davuluri. Peer Mentors Program: Making Peace with Bullying. Having a pageant platform is also the perfect way to increase your marketability to the judges to ensure that you stand out amongst the dozens of contestants. In recent years, pageant platforms that promote the arts or art education in some form have become increasingly more popular. After being diagnosed with depression and anxiety in 2019, Kikanamada started an Instagram account called More for Myself , where she raises awareness for mental health issues. Founded in 2011, Miss Global is an annual global beauty pageant for single women between the ages of 18 and 35 - and the significance of Ng being the first Asian to hold the title goes way beyond . Having this in mind will help you to answer your interview questions easier as well as give you the proper mindset of why you embarked upon your platform. You can expand your reach by partnering with other people and organizations in order to promote your platform. Choosing something that you are also accomplished at is key. That's why so many contestants have a pageant platform, or a cause that a contestant or titleholder dedicates their time to working on or giving back to. Photo: Philstar. Bonnie Lundberg. Youve probably already witnessed pageant girls using sources like, Go Fund Me or posting messages on their Facebook pages or Instagram accounts asking for people to donate money to them personally, or for their pageant platform, and although there is nothing inherently wrong with just asking for money, there are so many other creative ways to do it. During her year as Miss America, Teresa travelled an incredible 20,000 miles per month, educating and counseling students and young adults about eating disorders, a platform that she advocates for to this day. And, then begin writing down every single person that you know that you think you could network with in some way. The attention that Shree Saini received wasnt because she collapsed at a pageant. Photo: Miss Universe Organization. You could go a whole other way and promote reading with children as your platform. Check out this podcast, "How to Raise Money for Your Pageant Platform," for an overview of how to start your fundraising efforts: A titleholder is a leader and a motivator. . Dec 13, 2021. Nia spoke throughout her reign about the positive impact that the sport has had on her life and she credits taekwondo with much of her success, gifting her with discipline and self-control. And at first glance, this year's winner - Sophia Ng - has all the hallmarks of a typical pageant queen. How is that for impressive, huh? Exercise your mental fitness! As mentioned in the previous section, having a platform that means the world to you is absolutely key. She shows up. But, nobody ever told them that they need to have a solid marketing plan as a part of that platform. After winning Miss Universe, Nel-Peters used her title to expand the Unbreakable platform internationally. The way pageant platforms are implemented can take on many shapes and forms, but its all up to you on how you want your year as a contestant or a titleholder to be. But, you never know. Miss Washington World America 2019 Shree Saini. It can be a very simple event, without a lot of fuss, as long as people are interested in attending. Bed ridden for months, the psychological toll of a shattered dream and recovering body led to an eventual downward depressive spiral. This is where your personality and hard work comes in. Mayelin De La Cruz Gutierrez, Miss Grand New Jersey 2019, says this about platforms, A platform is ideal for a contestant to have because you can learn so much from what they support and what they choose to advocate for., Need more information on what a pageant platform is and what it should mean to you? As a service member Miss Colorado hopes to shine light on mental health in the military. Originally aimed at helping hospital patients and their families, Kendra has now expanded her original vision to helping the lives of everyone she can. All of these aspects of your platform should mesh well together, and make it easier for the pageant judges to understand what youre all about. Make sense? Because, that would indicate that book was about the organization itself. Lauren Forbes is the first crowned Miss Pageant Planet, 2018 Miss Massachusetts East Coast USA Photogenic Supremeand "Spirit Award" recipient of Miss Massachusetts USA 2018. Lauren serves as the official Massachusetts advocate for both the National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA) and Multi-Service Eating Disorder Association (Meda). In fact, she was even a recipient of the Gold Level Presidential Volunteer Service Award (the highest you can achieve) because she donated over 250 hours of unpaid acts of volunteer service benefiting others, within a 12 month period! This is especially effective if you have just won a new title. The pageant has adopted a mission that they call the, Stop the War and Violence Campaign. It takes a tender heart to want to make a difference in the lives of little ones. There are never enough volunteers or advocates for these types of organizations, and there are countless children who are desperately in need of a loving home. Depending on length, you may combine some of the paragraphs, but you should still have 5 distinct parts, in this order. One point that we must clear up before we go any further is something that so many people get confused about, and if you dont get this part right, you will end up looking like an amateur. And, depending on your particular passion and niche, there are so many wonderful organizations that you can get involved with such as, Dress for Success, Goodwill and Jobs For the Future. This can be very useful if your platform is related to anything in their realm of interests. Appearance does not define beauty. I was diagnosed with Lou Gehrig's disease at the age of 56,in Jan of this year. If you dont feel comfortable speaking about medical conditions, take a look around your community and look for the main issues that youd like to see a change in. You could start a campaign to create a neighborhood book borrowing service throughout your town. Lets say that on your list, the top things that you are good at and enjoy most are the fact that you love journalism, photography and video recording, doing hair and makeup, playing volleyball and you love talking to people, especially new people and strangers. By thinking along these lines, you will hopefully open yourself up to all of the possibilities that are within your reach. If you bring out your inner creativity and try to market your platform in a way you have never seen others do it before, then you are well on your way to a great platform. Another organization called the, There Is No Limit Foundation seeks a world free of poverty, inequality, and violence, where independent, networked individuals leverage their knowledge, skills and connections to uplift and provide for themselves, their families and communities. Your platform does not have to be limited to one organization or one area of concern. When you can key in to those personal details that motivate you, it then becomes so much more than a pageant platform. It does not exist just to give you something to do with your free time on the weekends. Its an exciting time to explore volunteering in this area, and you will absolutely feel rewarded for your efforts, as you help other women achieve their own goals. What an incredible way to think outside the box and use your platform to benefit the pageant that you are representing! Choosing the right platform is about doing soul searching to figure out what you want to put your time and effort into. It makes me miss my dear aunt, Charlotte Sheffield, former Miss USA, Miss Utah USA and Days of '47 Queen. Shree is a facial burns survivor and a heart patient, and has had a pacemaker since she was 12 years old. Generally speaking, there are as many potential pageant platform ideas as there are people on the planet, as well as human experiences and experiences that motivate us. EXTREME MIND. If you decide not to embark upon having a pageant platform, youre limiting your reach as a contestant and are at risk for not having much to do as a titleholder. This is your moment to speak on your why. 1910 Thomas Ave According to the National Alliance to End Homelessness, A total of 552,830 people were experiencing homelessness on a single night in 2018. Cheslies obviously enamored the judges at Miss USA, and she consistently demonstrates that todays pageant queen can be a titleholder who is relevant and relatable, while still being a whole bunch of fun! How do I choose the right pageant platform for me? If you have decided to work with an organization, you could begin to volunteer your time with these organizations if it is not something that you already have a personal connection with. This is why being passionate is absolutely necessary. Size does not define beauty. You also run the risk of feeling resentful and insincere, and that is one of the worst combinations of emotions that any pageant girl can have. Teresa did extensive research about eating disorders for her friend and discovered just how rampant it was across the nation. I've personally coached over 2,000 clients and virtually coached over 15,000 women around the world to achieve their dreams of influence and impact - on stage and in life. McCollum's platform, "Giving the Gift of Reading," focuses on children, as do more than half of the platforms of this year's 53 contestants.