The BluePrint. (None) 2013-????, February 28, 2014, Image 5
a pageant that is best for you. Sarnia
Billups, a junior, was another contestant
in the Miss Omega Psi Phi pageant.
“I chose to do a Greek pageant
because I know they are the most
controversial and criticized,” Billups
said. “I perceived it as a challenge to
use my gracefulness to change that
perception.”
Many enter pageants for personal
aspirations but others have goals
to connect with people they admire.
Whatever your goal may be, make sure
that you find the perfect one for you.
The pageant process and outcome
are both worth a close look into when
considering entering a pageant. Some
pageants occur within a month of
contestant selection, while others may
occur three months later. Most RSO
and class pageants are held in the same
month of contestant selection.
Other pageants like Miss Spelman
and Miss AUC are held the semester
following selection. This is important
because you may apply and be selected
in October with the mindset that it will
be over soon. The time leading up to
the pageant is full of chaos. A storyline
must be made, a photo-shoot must be
carried out, a dress must be bought,
questions must be practiced, a platform
must be established, and above all a
talent must be solidified!
The process of a pageant can
sometimes be so worrisome, that some
contestants quit after realizing it’s not
for them. This is why it is crucial to
make sure your pageant of interest is
dear to your heart.
“Seeing the contestants work
hard under so much pressure was
motivation for me to stick to the
project,” said Morehouse senior and
pageant director Logan Battle. “After so
many financial and social obstacles, we
were still able to put on a good show.
Though I learned a lot and made great
friends, I would not do it again. I feel
as though it was a once in a lifetime
experience for a reason.
Rachel Delsarte, a senior biology
major, was a recent winner in the
Kappa Alpha Psi pageant.
“My involvement in the pageant
was enjoyable and I learned a lot about
myself,” Delsarte said . I made good
connections with important people, but
I probably won’t do another pageant in
my college career.”
Some pageants reveal to
contestants that the spotlight is for
them, while others learned that they
were born to perform. Though it may
be stressful and require hard-work,
pageants are worth it in the end as you
receive a great number of rewards in
all forms. Fallon Clark, junior computer
science major, is now serving as Miss
Junior.
“I feel honored to represent
the class of 2015,” said Clark. It’s
wonderful to know that the students
trust me to represent them with
poise, grace, and class. It is difficult
to collaborate with class council, but
I know that it will help me grow as a
student and a professional. It was a
very rewarding experience.”
If you see a pageant contestant
out and about, take the chance to
congratulate and complement them
as they have worked very hard. We
encourage you to go for it and be
determined if you are considering
taking part in a pageant!
The BluePrint
SpelmanPaper@gmail.com Feb/March 2014 <