What did she just say? Words that are mispronounced and poor grammar can influence people’s opinion of you and your education level. For example, just because the word “ain’t” is in the dictionary doesn’t mean you should use it. The dictionary will tell you if the word is spelled correctly. That doesn’t necessarily mean the usage of the word itself is “proper” or viewed in a positive light if you say it. Over the years, many slang words have been added to our dictionaries.

I am not an English major, but here is my shortlist of mispronounced words that drive me crazy:

• The words are “wasn’t, business, isn’t, and didn’t” not “wadn't, bidness, idn’t, and din’t.”

• "I have a ways to go" should be "I have a way to go."

• The “t” in the word “often” is silent. You will find both pronunciations in the dictionary but in the United States; the silent “t” version is preferred. It’s “off-en” not “off- ten”.

• The word is regardless, not irregardless.

• This is important for all pageant girls to know. The word is “jewelry” (jewel- ree) not “jew-ler-ee”. No extra syllable.

• It is “with” not “wit”.

• It is “that” not “dat”.

• “Ask” me something but don’t “ax” me. Pronounce that “s”

• Say all the consonants in the word “important”. I’m going to have a hard time taking you seriously if you say the word “im-poor-unt”.

• Do say “across”, don’t say “acrossed”.

• The place where we borrow books is the “library” not the “ly-berry.”

• ESCAPE / ESPRESSO / ET CETERA

           • Incorrect pronunciation: ex – cape / ex – presso / ex – set – err – uh 
           • Correct pronunciation: ess – cape / ess – presso / ett – set – err – uh

 

• FOR ALL INTENTS AND PURPOSES
  • Incorrect pronunciation: “for all intensive purposes”
  • Correct pronunciation: “for all intents and purposes”

• SHERBET
  • Incorrect pronunciation: sherr – berrt
  • Correct pronunciation: sherr – bet

Here is a list of other commonly mispronounced words.
http://www.alphadictionary.com/articles/mispronounced_words.html

WTP Take The Stage Training DVD

The Winning Through Pageantry Take The Stage™ training DVD is a must have training tool for natural beauty pageants. The depth of information shared in this video will further polish your on stage presence.

Remember, the judges cast their final vote when you are on stage in your evening gown. Your overall stage presence and appearance will determine your final placement.

In this 60-minute DVD, you will learn:

• proper posture and alignment,
• foot positioning,
• timing of your turns,
• multiple walking patterns,
• stage presence,
• microphone etiquette,
• Numerous tips as Rhonda demonstrates all of these techniques.

The modeling style taught in this video will work for those contestants competing in the following natural pageant systems:

• Miss American Coed (MAC),
• National American Miss (NaMiss),
• Miss America,
• America's Outstanding Teen,
• Miss Teen USA,
• Miss USA,
• Mrs. America,
• Mrs. United States,
• Teen, Miss and Mrs. International,
• America's National Teenager (Antso),
• Any of the numerous systems that follow the standards of a natural pageant.

Contestants who are brand new to pageantry or have done a couple pageants in the past; and those who do not have pageant preparation resources close to them will benefit most from this DVD. Even if you feel confident in your modeling skills, the numerous tips shared in this DVD will take your onstage presence to the next level.
Please allow up to 14 days to receive your DVD. This is being shipped from a separate vendor. The DVD is readable in all countries around the world but should you receive a defective DVD, a replacement one will be sent.

Rhonda Shappert, is both an iPEC and ICF certified expert pageant coach. In addition to holding multiple titles herself, her clients have won titles at local, state, national and internationals pageants. Her award winning newsletter is received weekly by thousands internationally. She has helped her clients win local, state, national and international titles.

With over 30 years experience in the pageant industry as a contestant, titleholder, judge, emcee, staff member, coach and mother of daughters who compete, there isn't an area of pageantry she doesn't fully understand.

$27 (+ $7 S&H)

The WTP Interview Card (Set of 12)

What kind of questions will the judges ask me in interview?
What if I don't have an answer?

The ability to answer questions about you, your family, platform, goals, community and pop culture in a clear way is an important life skill. The more practice you have in conversing with people, the better your speaking skills will become.
Over 1000 contestants from ages 7 to 80 around the world have used these cards and reported back to me that they were confident and prepared for their pageant interview. Many of my clients receive the highest interview scores.
As a contestant and judge, these are real questions that I have asked, been asked, or heard other judges ask in the interview room. I know they are effective and relevant because my clients and pageant family on Facebook have told me several times that they have experienced other pageant coaches and judges using my cards. By the way, I take this as a compliment, not a threat :).
Outstanding features of this 12 card set includes:</ p>

• Over 200 questions covering 12 diverse subjects. Each card has questions dedicated to one topic. For example, there are 56 questions on the "favorites" card.
• The back side is blank so you can jot down your ideas for answers.
• Being the size of a recipe card, they are easy to carry and you can practice anywhere.

$25.00

Rhonda Shappert is an expert pageant coach, an iPEC Certified Professional Coach, an Energy Leadership Index Master Practitioner, and an Associate Certified Coach (ACC) with the International Coach Federation (ICF).

She created Winning Through Pageantry® to partner with pageant contestants and their support people to provide complete pageant preparation, achieve winning results in life through pageantry, and to Succeed From The Inside Out®.

She has over 30 years experience in the pageantry world as a contestant, judge, emcee, staff member, mother of daughters who compete, Mrs. Ohio America 2005, and has held multiple titles at the local, state and national levels.

Rhonda graduated Cum Laude with a Bachelors degree in Musical Theater from The Ohio State University and has performed on stage in 15 countries on the Asian, European and American continents. This mother of three has been married 23 years to her husband Stephen, is the former mayor of her community, and serves on the Board of Trustees for the Ohio Virtual Academy. She and her husband perform original contemporary Christian music. For more information on Rhonda, visit www.WinningThroughPageantry.com.

The words you choose and what you put on your pageant paperwork will either build up or destroy your credibility in the judges’ eyes. Everything and anything you put in writing is fair game in the interviewing process.

Trust me. If you put one thing on your resume hoping inside that the judges won’t ask you about it, there will be at least one judge who WILL. If you reference a website or an organization in your paperwork, know that some of the judges will go online to check it out as well as look at your Facebook wall.

That’s why it is so important to be as clear as possible when creating your paperwork. Your written paperwork is not the place to be cutesy. That personality trait is best shared in the face-to-face interview. Remember, the interview must feel like a conversation not a speech. Talk with the judges, not at them.

The written documents must be straight forward, filled with enough factual information so the judges can ask you quality questions, and all information must be completely truthful. Never try to mislead people by making something appear bigger than what it is.

On the other hand, there are often golden pieces of information that contestants leave off their resumes because they don’t feel they are “special or unique” enough to share with the judges. This is also a mistake.

You cannot leave filling out your paperwork until the last minute. When creating a judge’s bio, I often go through three or four drafts with my clients before we get to the final copy. This takes hours, not minutes to do. If you want to get better interview results, this is one area where it will be well worth your time and money to find a qualified professional to assist you. Let me know if I can be of service to you in creating a written resume that reflects your unique invisible qualities in their finest light.

Request my free special report, 10 Insider Secrets to Winning, and receive my free award winning newsletter weekly. Just click here to GET YOUR FREE REPORT.Then fill out your name and email address in the boxes.

INTERVIEW CARD

The ability to answer questions about you, your purpose, current events, and controversial topics in a clear way is an important life skill. The more you practice, the better you will get. This handy interview card is a great way to practice with a partner or to use by yourself.
The Beginning 10 Questions are the staple interview questions everyone must know the answers in an interview. Now preparing for your interview is easy and for a limited time FREE.

Rhonda Shappert is an expert pageant coach, an iPEC Certified Professional Coach, an Energy Leadership Index Master Practitioner, and a member of the International Coach Federation. She created Winning Through Pageantry® to partner with pageant contestants and their support people to provide complete pageant preparation, achieve winning results in life through pageantry, and to Succeed From The Inside Out®.

She has over 30 years experience in the pageantry world as a contestant, judge, emcee, staff member, mother of daughters who compete, Mrs. Ohio America 2005, and has held multiple titles at the local, state and national levels.
Rhonda graduated Cum Laude with a Bachelors degree in Musical Theater from The Ohio State University and has performed on stage in 15 countries on the Asian, European and American continents. This mother of three home educates their children and has been married 22 years to her husband Stephen, is the former mayor of her community, and serves on the Board of Trustees for the Ohio Virtual Academy. She and her husband perform original contemporary Christian music. For more information on Rhonda, visit  www.WinningThroughPageantry.com .

Congratulations. You’ve won the pageant title you’ve worked so hard for. Woo Hoo! Now what? One choice would be to do very little and show up the following year to crown your successor; or you can make the most of your opportunity leaving a lasting legacy. You can be either a crown “holder” (passive) or a crown “doer” (active). The choice is totally yours. I understand people do pageants for different reasons. If you’ve won a title, you have a finite amount of time to enjoy it. Perhaps you don’t know how to make the most of it or how to schedule appearances that serve on multiple levels.

Because I am a person of “purpose”, I almost always have plans A, B and C mapped out before I do something. My time is the most precious gift that I have been given by God, and I don’t intend on wasting a minute of it. You and I have the same amount of time. How we choose to spend it, however, can vary dramatically. Each person needs to decide their priorities and level of engagement.

Life has a natural ebb and flow to it. There will be times when we need to walk-take it easy to recharge our batteries. Then there will be times when we need to sprint-fitting in as much as we can. Your year as a beauty pageant queen is a sprint.

Making appearances serves three purposes. First, there are appearances that are just plain fun. Enjoying the various events within your community and state while building relationships with your sister queens is priceless. Secondly, making appearances on behalf of the pageant is great public relations for the system you are representing. This PR will bring public awareness and new contestants into the system. Finally, it is an opportunity to make an impact and serve in a bigger way by working, speaking and interacting with people at the events you’re attending. The best appearance is when you accomplish all three at the same time.

Let me give you an example of what I did as Mrs. Ohio when I scheduled my appearances.

First, I had a full supply of business cards, headshots and a media kit printed and ready to go. Next, I would look in the paper (or online) for the listing of the upcoming community events. I would look months in advance. Let’s say there was a big home basketball game coming up in a neighboring town. I would call the school to see if I could sing the National Anthem at the beginning of their varsity game. Most of the time, I received of course you can.

Since I was going to be in town for the evening game, I would then proceed to call the schools in that town to see if I could deliver my signature talk to the student body during the day. I always found at least one or two schools that welcomed me with open arms to speak. Once I had the speaking engagements arranged, I would contact the local paper to notify a reporter so they could cover the appearance. My goal was to make the most of my time in that community while I was there.

Seldom did I drive the distance to just ride and wave at people in a parade. If there is a parade taking place, there are always other events along with it that you can volunteer your time and services at. It just takes time and planning on your part to find them. I’ve emceed luncheons, been a flag bearer, guest speaker, entertainment, awards presenter and hostess for many events. By interacting with people, I always booked an appearance from an appearance. The possibilities are endless. Be creative and know the types of events you enjoy the most.

As a pageant winner, any appearance you make is good; but why settle for good when it could be great. The more involved you become, the richer your experience will be.

Request my free special report, 10 Insider Secrets to Winning, and receive my free award winning newsletter weekly. Just click here to GET YOUR FREE REPORT.Then fill out your name and email address in the boxes.

INTERVIEW CARD

The ability to answer questions about you, your purpose, current events, and controversial topics in a clear way is an important life skill. The more you practice, the better you will get. This handy interview card is a great way to practice with a partner or to use by yourself.
The Beginning 10 Questions are the staple interview questions everyone must know the answers in an interview. Now preparing for your interview is easy and for a limited time FREE.

Rhonda Shappert is an expert pageant coach, an iPEC Certified Professional Coach, an Energy Leadership Index Master Practitioner, and a member of the International Coach Federation. She created Winning Through Pageantry® to partner with pageant contestants and their support people to provide complete pageant preparation, achieve winning results in life through pageantry, and to Succeed From The Inside Out®.

She has over 30 years experience in the pageantry world as a contestant, judge, emcee, staff member, mother of daughters who compete, Mrs. Ohio America 2005, and has held multiple titles at the local, state and national levels.
Rhonda graduated Cum Laude with a Bachelors degree in Musical Theater from The Ohio State University and has performed on stage in 15 countries on the Asian, European and American continents. This mother of three home educates their children and has been married 22 years to her husband Stephen, is the former mayor of her community, and serves on the Board of Trustees for the Ohio Virtual Academy. She and her husband perform original contemporary Christian music. For more information on Rhonda, visit  www.WinningThroughPageantry.com .

You’ve just had your crowning moment. Suddenly, you dream of being a celebrity, going to glamorous events, and making countless appearances. Great! How are you going to make that happen? Yes, I said YOU. Your primary responsibility is to get the word out about your accomplishments and set up appearances. The director may have a couple of sponsor related events for you to attend; but for the rest of the year, what happens as a titleholder is all up to you and your marketing efforts.

To market yourself, you’ll want to create a press kit. For your press kit, you’ll want to assemble a press release, a headshot, one-page bio, an introductory letter from the director on official pageant letterhead, and any other supporting materials in a clean new folder.

Have your press kit available in both electronic and hard copy forms. You will mostly use the electronic format but always have at least one hard copy folder with you as a contingency. Success comes when preparation meets opportunity. Always be prepared.This way you can book an appearance from an appearance. If you’re networking the event right, there will always be someone who will approach you about appearing at their upcoming event.

Press Release

A press release is a one page document that is sent out to local news papers which includes the following information:

• Facts about you: Name, age, parents (if you are a minor), city, your new title, and brief information about your platform or service cause you will be support during your year.
• What did you do to earn the title, and what you won as a result of competing.
• Information about the pageant system and the next level of competition in which you will be compete. For example, if you will be competing at the national pageant, include the dates, locations and what’s involved at that event.
• Pageant history, mission statement, goals, and contact information for both you and your director so that you can be reached to schedule appearances. Word of caution about your personal contact information, for your personal privacy and safety, set up a separate email address to be used only during your year of reign. You never want to give out your home address, phone number, or personal information for mass distribution.

Headshot

• Make sure your headshot, and any other photos are high-resolution images so if the organization chooses to reproduce them, the photos will be crystal clear. I burn a couple images onto a CD and include one 4x6 photo in my folder so they have choices.

Bio

• One page bio spotlighting your education, honors, accomplishments, community service, talent, hobbies, and career ambitions.

Introductory Letter on Official Letterhead

• The letter from your director will lend credibility and acknowledgment to your title. It should include your name, title and information about the pageant system.

Other Supporting Materials

• If you produce a newsletter with your platform, or if there is a brochure about the pageant system you are representing, include those as well.

Then you need to figure out what type of appearances you want to focus on. Do you want to do parades? Do you want to model in fashion shows? How about speaking to service organizations or in schools? Maybe you want to travel to other pageants and be visiting royalty. You’ll quickly need to decide. It could take several weeks, or months, of planning for you to be able to participate in certain events.
How many appearances do you want to make a month? How far do you want to travel? How many appearances will be “just for fun” and how many will be networking events where you can build relationships with people who will guide you to successful paths you may walk after you crown the next queen?

Get your calendar and mark out the dates you already have commitments. Then start surfing the web and contacting people for the activities that fit your plan. You have been given an opportunity that has a expiration date; but the connections and friendships you make during your year, will not.

Request my free special report, 10 Insider Secrets to Winning, and receive my free award winning newsletter weekly. Just click here or at the top of this page to GET YOUR FREE REPORT.Then fill out your name and email address in the boxes.

Now's The Time to Brush Up On Your Interview Skills

INTERVIEW CARD

The ability to answer questions about you, your purpose, current events, and controversial topics in a clear way is an important life skill that everyone can benefit from. The more you practice, the better you will get. These handy interview cards are a great way to practice with a partner or use by yourself to get you thinking about the topic.
The Beginning 10 Questions are the staple interview questions everyone must know the answers in an interview situation. Then each month you will receive a new card in the mail with fresh questions.

Now preparing for your interview is easy and for a limited time FREE.

Rhonda Shappert is an expert pageant coach, an iPEC Certified Professional Coach, an Energy Leadership Index Master Practitioner, and a member of the International Coach Federation. She created Winning Through Pageantry® to partner with pageant contestants and their support people to provide complete pageant preparation, achieve winning results in life through pageantry, and to Succeed From The Inside Out®. She has over 30 years experience in the pageantry world as a contestant, judge, emcee, staff member, mother of daughters who compete, Mrs. Ohio America 2005, and has held multiple titles at the local, state and national levels.

Rhonda graduated Cum Laude with a Bachelors degree in Musical Theater from The Ohio State University and has performed on stage in 15 countries on the Asian, European and American continents. This mother of three home educates their children and has been married 22 years to her husband Stephen, is the former mayor of her community, and serves on the Board of Trustees for the Ohio Virtual Academy. She and her husband perform original contemporary Christian music. Their music CD entitled Cana. For more information on Rhonda, visit  www.WinningThroughPageantry.com .

• What is a pageant platform?

• How do I choose a good pageant platform?

• Can you give me some pageant platform ideas, examples or topics?

A pageant platform is a cause that a contestant chooses to volunteer her time to either bring awareness to, raise money, or implement a program she has created that will help address the problem. There are so many needs in the world today that finding a cause you feel passionate about in your community is just a matter of looking around or talking with a few business leaders. In our society, the media and public are drawn to people who hold titles or have celebrity status. As a titleholder, you can use this to your advantage to get your message out in a bigger way if you're prepared.

"Don't ever question the value of volunteers. Noah's Ark was built by volunteers; the Titanic was built by professionals"-Unknown. Occasionally I'll encounter a person who has the attitude of 'I'm only one person. I can't make a difference. Besides, I don't have the time, money or education to make things happen'. Okay, you might not; however, you know people who do. And those people know different people who know other people. They're just waiting for you to ask them for their help. You don't need to micro manage or run the entire project by yourself. Just make the mission and needs known to people.

There is strength in numbers and the more people you can include in your plans, the better. Think of a candle light service you've been to. It starts with one candle in a dark space. Then, one by one, the flame is passed along until the entire area is a blazing light. Most of the time people aren't even aware of a particular need in their community. All it takes is one person speaking at a function, or a single newspaper article, to spark the fire needed to begin the change.

In choosing a good pageant platform, follow Stephen Covey's advice "Begin with the end in mind." What is the specific result you want to achieve? Is it to raise $50,000 for a new piece of safety equipment for your local fire station? Or is it to start your own foundation? The key to choosing a platform that will inspire you is the depth of personal experience you have with it. There must be a deep seeded reason why you want to spend countless hours serving a particular project. Maybe you've lost a loved one, or a family pet. That event moved you to want to reach others who are experiencing the same pain. Maybe you want to prevent a problem from happening. Maybe you've experienced something so wonderful, or painful, that you want others to know about it so they can either join you in your joy, or avoid the pain.

Either way, it starts with looking inside and listening to your heart- not your head. We take action when we are emotionally charged, not because something is logical and makes sense.

 
Here is just a beginning list of ideas, examples and topics from the last two years of Miss America contestants that might spark your interest in looking for your pageant platform.

• March of Dimes
• International Travel to Become Global Citizens
• Drowning Prevention/Water Safety
• Boys and Girls Club of America
• Girl Scouts of America
• 4-H
• Helping Hand for America's Seniors (visiting nursing home residents)
• Eating Disorder Education and Awareness
• Global Awareness
• National Alopecia Areata Foundation
• Preventive Medical Care
• Bullying
• Scoliosis Awareness
• Volunteerism
• Susan G. Komen Foundation
• Preventing Domestic Violence
• Mentoring
• Girls Inc.
• AIDS Awareness
• Homelessness Prevention and Awareness
• Support of the Arts
• Connecting the Generations
• Positive Body Image
• Fighting Childhood Hunger
• Raising Awareness of Human Trafficking
• Acknowledging the good in your neighbors and neighborhood
• Organ Donation
• Asthma Awareness
• Prevention of Underage Drinking
• Cancer Prevention through Overall Wellness
• Literacy/Read Across America
• Equality
• Cancer Research
• Youth Leadership Development
• Character Development
• Child Exploitation
• Consequences of Peer Pressure
• Children's Miracle Network
• Dangers of Distracted Driving/ Texting While Driving
• Dress for Success
• Dropout Prevention
• Autism Speaks
• Citizenship
• Running for Public Office
• Dance: Movement Towards Better Health
• Building Positive Self-Image
• Heart Health & Cardiovascular Disease Prevention
• Care for animals
• Internet/social media safety
• Recycle/ Environmental Green projects
• Second Harvest Food Bank
• Obesity

Request my free special report, 10 Insider Secrets to Winning, and receive  my free award winning newsletter weekly. Just click here or at the top of this page to GET YOUR FREE REPORT.Then fill out your name and email address in the boxes.

INTERVIEW CARD

The ability to answer questions about you, your purpose, current events, and controversial topics in a clear way is an important life skill that everyone can benefit from. The more you practice, the better you will get. These handy interview cards are a great way to practice with a partner or use by yourself to get you thinking about the topic.
The Beginning 10 Questions are the staple interview questions everyone must know the answers in an interview situation. Then each month you will receive a new card in the mail with fresh questions.

Now preparing for your interview is easy and for a limited time FREE.

Rhonda Shappert is an expert pageant coach, an iPEC Certified Professional Coach, an Energy Leadership Index Master Practitioner, and a member of the International Coach Federation. She created Winning Through Pageantry® to partner with pageant contestants and their support people to provide complete pageant preparation, achieve winning results in life through pageantry, and to Succeed From The Inside Out®. She has over 30 years experience in the pageantry world as a contestant, judge, emcee, staff member, mother of daughters who compete, Mrs. Ohio America 2005, and has held multiple titles at the local, state and national levels.
Rhonda graduated Cum Laude with a Bachelors degree in Musical Theater from The Ohio State University and has performed on stage in 15 countries on the Asian, European and American continents. This mother of three home educates their children and has been married 21 years to her husband Stephen, is the former mayor of her community, and serves on the Board of Trustees for the Ohio Virtual Academy. She and her husband perform original contemporary Christian music. Their music CD entitled Cana is available through  www.cdbaby.com/cd/shappert or on her website. For more information on Rhonda, visit  www.WinningThroughPageantry.com .

Have every article I write delivered directly to your email. Sign up for my free weekly newsletter. Just click the GET YOUR FREE REPORT button at the top of this page. Then fill out your name and email address in the boxes.

In the game of darts, it's important to locate the target before you start throwing. In darts, your goal is to hit the bull's-eye for maximum points. The more skilled you are at aiming the darts, the more rewarding the game will be.

The same is true in pageantry. The first step you need to take is figuring out what your real target is. Only you can decide this. Maybe it is to capture the title; but for some, it is to come from the interview feeling confident that you clearly shared your message with the judges and it was received. Perhaps, some want to make it through the pageant without their nerves controlling them. But, you need to decide.

Once you identify the target, you'll want to perfect your aim so you can hit the bull's-eye as many times as possible. So let's say you get the question, "why do you want to be Miss Fabulous?" and your answer is "I would like to be Miss Fabulous because I want to be a positive role model for the women of this country." That answer would land you on the board; but on the outer edge worth 20 point-not the 100 you need. Why only 20? Because any contestant can say this and it tells me very little about who you are.

To move closer to the bull's-eye, you're going to need to go deeper. Try these three tips to help you with your aim.

• Schedule daily time for personal exploration and growth. Even 10 minutes of daily reading from an inspirational book will get you thinking about what you value and what motivates you.

• Journal. Use a question or two to start your thought process, set the timer and start writing. You'll be amazed at what comes out.

• Work one-on-one with a pageant coach. You can acquire all kinds of knowledge through reading, but if you don't know how it pertains to you, you're not going to take action. No action means no results. It's normal to have some blind spots about ourselves. A coach can help you sort through your choices, develop a focused plan and help you to take action to move closer to your target.

If you want some help in this area, consider my A.I.M. session next Tuesday evening. In this session, I will go into depth on creating your application (or judge's bio), interview skills and message so you can hit your target with greater ease.

Go ahead and get your planner-I'll wait :). Now take a look at this week and set aside some time each day for yourself. Even if it's only 5 minutes, write it down and commit to it. Next decide what you're going to do during your ALONE time. Maybe you want to pray, read or meditate; but choose what you want to focus on this week.

Rhonda Shappert is an expert pageant coach and an iPEC trained personal development life coach. She created Winning Through Pageantry™, to partner with pageant contestants and their support people to provide complete pageant preparation and achieve winning results in life through pageantry. In the pageant world she has held multiple local, state and national titles. Rhonda graduated Cum Laude with a Bachelors degree in Musical Theater from The Ohio State University and has performed on stage in 15 countries on the Asian, European and American continents. This mother of three home educates their children and has been married 21 years to her husband Stephen, is the former mayor of her community, and serves on the Board of Trustees for the Ohio Virtual Academy. She and her husband perform original contemporary Christian music. Their music CD entitled Cana is available through www.cdbaby.com/cd/shappert or on her website . For more information on Rhonda, visit www.WinningThroughPageantry.com.

Have every article I write delivered directly to your email. Sign up for my free weekly newsletter. Just click the GET YOUR FREE REPORT button at the top of this page. Then fill out your name and email address in the boxes.

What are three things that make you special? Last week I spoke about the importance of recognizing your gifts and choosing how to use them. When you have a clear picture of your talents and discover which activities make you feel completely alive, you can easily figure out where to spend your time.

As a titleholder, you will have less than 365 days to make the most of your experience. Having a plan ahead of time will greatly increase the FUN FACTOR of your year, and potentially open the door to future opportunities. The strength of your “why”, “purpose” or “platform” is the key to unlocking the door.

There are 3 keys to forming a solid platform in pageantry.

Key 1: BELIEVE: It must be something that you emotionally believe in.

No matter how impressive a platform may sound, if a contestant’s heart is not there, it will come across flat to the judges. This is one time when I say take it personally and make it personal. Find something that has emotionally moved you to take action in some way. A platform doesn’t need to come from some devastating event that happened to you. It’s about making connections. First it must connect with you, then with the judges.

Key 2: INVOLVEMENT: You need to be actively involved in your service.

A strong platform is one where a contestant can demonstrate to the judges a history of devoting time to her cause prior to the pageant. For example, a girl who has had an eating disorder as a middle school student overcomes her challenges as a teenager. As a result, in the past 3 years she has spoken to over 50 girls’ organizations about the importance of self-respect, health, and wellness. She volunteers one day a week at the local teenage health clinic and plans to become a nutritionist after high school. This platform clearly demonstrates active involvement and gives great insight to the judges about the character and goals of this young lady. The judges also get an idea of what she would do as a titleholder.

Compare this to the contestant who says her platform is for cancer awareness. On her bio she states that her cheerleading squad put together a Relay For Life team last month and raised $500. This was her first activity with this organization and was so inspired by the people, she says, she decided to become more involved with cancer awareness.

OK, I’m putting on my judge’s hat for a moment. First, I would acknowledge the second contestant’s efforts in raising money with her team. However, I would view this as a one-shot event and wonder how long her interest would last for this cause. The first contestant would get my vote in the interview round because of the depth of her experience, knowledge and personal conviction for her platform.

Key 3: INTEREST: Your topic needs to have a narrow focus but be broad enough for public appeal.

At first glance this statement may seem to contradict itself so let me go into some detail. Let’s start with the “narrow focus” part of the sentence. Would you agree that it is hard to hit a target when you don’t know where to aim? If the pageant’s focus is on a strong platform, a contestant needs to aim for the bull’s-eye and not let her attention get pulled by multiple distractions.

There is more strength in choosing one topic and totally exploring all facets of it than bouncing from one activity to another. Organizations, businesses, and people are more willing to support a cause when the message is clear and the benefits are obvious. It is your job to make your message as clear as possible, which means focus. The message will be diluted and vague if a contestant is all over the map with her activities.

However, your platform needs to have broad enough appeal so that many people are interested in having you make an appearance or speaking to their organization. Pageant systems want their titleholders out there making appearances and being in the public eye. Not only does this increase the awareness of your cause; but also it helps the pageant system continue to thrive from a business standpoint. So the judges are looking for the platform that will serve both purposes, advance the message of the titleholder and promote the pageant.

Even if your pageant system doesn’t require a platform, spending time developing your purpose and focus will benefit you and the pageant system. Because I feel so strongly that a solid purpose is the backbone to a quality pageant experience, I’m introducing my new A.I.M. Session. This session will include an in depth training teleclass, downloadable worksheets, an individual mock interview and a mini-feedback session with me at an awesome price. The session will cover in detail the Application, Interview and Mission parts of your pageant experience. At the end of this session you will have a solid pageant bio and vision for your platform that you can use in multiple pageants. The session is January 20th so don’t delay if you want to get focused and hit your target in 2010.

Click to register

Each week has 168 hours in it, subtract 12 per day for sleep, eating, and misc., you’re left with 84 hours. What will you do with those 84? Most people give very little thought to what they do weekly, daily or even in the moment. How about you? What purpose do you want your “84” to have? Which areas of your life do you wish were different? The A.I.M. Session will benefit not only pageant contestants but anyone who is wanting to gain clarity on their values, gifts and purpose. There’s something about seeing your life on paper that is very revealing. This week, think about your 84.

Rhonda Shappert is a pageant expert, personal development life coach, and owner of Winning Through Pageantry™, a business she created that not only helps her clients achieve winning results in pageants, but helps them Succeed From The Inside Out™ in their lives. In the pageant world she has held multiple local, state and national titles. Rhonda graduated Cum Laude with a Bachelors degree in Musical Theater from The Ohio State University and has performed on stage in 15 countries on the Asian, European and American continents. This mother of three home educates her children, has been married 20 years to her husband Stephen, is the former mayor of her community, and is on the Board of Trustees for the Ohio Virtual Academy. She and her husband perform original contemporary Christian music. Their music CD entitled Cana is available through www.cdbaby.com/cd/shappert or on her website. For more information on Rhonda, visit www.WinningThroughPageantry.com.

I love a brand new year. For the past three days, new hopes, dreams and goals have been flooding my mind. I have also become aware of a reoccurring theme I’ve heard from Veggie Tales, Epiphany and Desperate Housewives; and I feel compelled to share it with you. The message is about your gifts and what you choose to do with them.

Yes, we’ve just come off the Christmas season, and many of us received lovely gifts that came in shiny paper. However, the message that keeps presenting itself to me is not about material gifts. Let me explain.

Earlier in the week, we picked up a number of videos from Blockbuster. On Saturday morning, we popped in the animated Veggie Tales Lord of the Beans DVD. I didn’t know what to expect, but I was delightfully entertained by the wholesome parody of Lord of the Rings and struck by its simple and truthful message.

In the movie, Jr. Asparagus (aka Toto instead of Frodo) receives the gift of a bean. He doesn’t know what it is, why he has it, and what he’s supposed to do with it. Through his very entertaining journey he discovers the answers to these three questions. The story’s message is that we are all given gifts that belong only to us. We can’t return them but we can choose what we do with them. We can ignore them, use them in a selfish way, or share them to make a difference.

Afterwards, I sat there thinking, this is just like some pageant contestants when they’re choosing a platform. Some contestants look outside of themselves to find a cause that sounds impressive. Some haven’t yet become aware of what makes them special. Still others choose to ignore their strengths because they feel that the judges will never see the value in what they offer. And let’s not leave out those who know what they’re good at, but just don’t know how to package it in a marketable way.

Veggie Tales Lesson: Identify YOUR gifts and make a choice of what to do with them.

So a couple hours later, I was singing at a Life Teen mass, and guess what the homily was about?
Yes, you guessed it-gifts. However, this message had a little different twist to it. Since the Church was celebrating the Epiphany, the presentation of the Magi’s gifts to our Lord, the priest shared that every person is a gift. He proceeded to read a wonderful passage about how different “gifts” arrive.

Some are perfectly wrapped. Some are loosely tossed together. Some arrive via special delivery. Some are fragile. Some are so tightly wrapped, they’re hard to open. Some have been mishandled by the delivery system. But no matter how they’re packaged, every gift is a treasure to the person receiving it. Every time we interact with others, we are sharing the contents of our gifts.

Again, I felt myself saying, that’s just like pageant contestants. Every single contestant is different. The one’s that sparkle brightest and stand out are the ladies that recognize their own uniqueness. Think of how boring a Christmas tree would look if every gift were wrapped in the same size box and wrapping paper, or, if every ornament on the tree were identical.

Epiphany Lesson: Gifts come in all shapes, sizes, styles, and types. Each serves a specific purpose and is beautiful.

Ok, so it’s Sunday night, and I took a break from writing about the inspiring events of the day before to watch one of my favorite shows, Desperate Housewives. There was a scene where Gabby’s youngest daughter, Celia, survives a brush with death. Gabby tells her husband Carlos that Celia was saved by God because their daughter was destined for greatness. Cuddling her daughter, Gabby falls asleep and begins to dream about what great things her daughter will do.

In her dream, Gabby is determined that her daughter is going to be a great actress and she sacrifices everything in pursuit of this idea. Her daughter, however, has no desire to become an actress.

Suddenly, Gabby wakes up from her dream as Carlos is walking back into the room. When he asks Gabby if she’s figured what their four-year-old daughter is going to be great at, Gabby replies that she doesn’t have to figure anything out, because Celia is great at being Celia. Gabby accepts her daughter for who she is and wants her to grow and discover her own path.

Desperate Housewives Lesson: Self acceptance is a key to inner peace and finding your purpose.

What are your gifts? Take out a piece of paper and write down three things that are special about you. If you feel a little stuck, focus on times and events in which you felt completely alive and comfortable while you were doing it. What comes easily for you? Ask those people closest to you what they think your strengths and gifts are.

Next week I’m going to talk more about platform and purpose, but the foundation of a dynamic platform or cause is in knowing your gifts and what you choose to do with them.

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To know, be and share yourself with others is the greatest gift you can give. Just imagine what the world would look like if everyone lived a life with purpose and understood their own unique gifts. 2010 can be your great awakening. Contact me today for more information on how we can work together to gain clarity on your gifts and develop a plan to share them.

Rhonda Shappert is a pageant expert, personal development life coach, and owner of Winning Through Pageantry™, a business she created that not only helps her clients achieve winning results in pageants, but helps them Succeed From The Inside Out™ in their lives. In the pageant world she has held multiple local, state and national titles. Rhonda graduated Cum Laude with a Bachelors degree in Musical Theater from The Ohio State University and has performed on stage in 15 countries on the Asian, European and American continents. This mother of three who has been married 20 years to her husband Stephen, is the former mayor of her community, and is on the Board of Trustees for the Ohio Virtual Academy. She and her husband perform original contemporary Christian music. Their music CD entitled Cana is available through www.cdbaby.com/cd/shappert or on her website. For more information on Rhonda, visit www.WinningThroughPageantry.com.