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. The remainder (33 percent) are people in families with children. No matter what, if you create a pageant platform, make sure that you are actually working towards your goal. Just think of what can come from your networking efforts! If you do have your sights set on being a titleholder at some point being a skilled communicator is a skill set that you will have to develop. 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. Every contestant out there needs to be doing mock interviews, yet so many girls dont do it because either they dont know what to do, they dont have anyone to ask them questions or they dont feel comfortable filming themselves. This . Is pageant prep feeling overwhelming to you? A platform that revolves around serving children in some way is such a special and sweet way to help the innocent, little beings in our world. The term "bullying" used to conjure images of a boisterous kid pushing down a weaker peer on the playground. 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. And, then the fact that you can sew, is a huge money maker! Right off the bat, youve got a tremendous amount of talent here that could be used to raise money for your platform. She stressed that the central taekwondo tenet of perseverance equipped her with the determination to overcome defeat throughout her life. But, you never know. But, every single day, she is there. When Kelsi Horn began preparing to compete in the Miss Black USA pageant, she knew immediately that mental health would be her platform. Part of your job if you win the pageant, is being responsible for attracting new contestants, potential sponsors and business partners. Now that she is a pageant titleholder, she . 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. Your focus should be learning the ropes of pageantry, finding a platform that you can really get excited about and finding a way to volunteer in your community or express that platform in some way. No matter the organization, having a pageant platform ensures that as a contestant and titleholder, you are a well-rounded individual that wants to make a larger impact on her community and the world that surrounds her. Another great idea would be to offer to take videos of pageant girls doing mock interviews, especially since you are so comfortable talking to people and you have a natural affinity for journalism. 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 . When Kira was a young college student, she experienced an abusive relationship with her then, boyfriend. Think about all of the possible ways to communicate with people, and all the different ways that we do that. In addition to her other commitments, she found time to work alongside the Massachusetts State House on policy changes. Pageants help women grow confidence, but they also create insecurities without proper mental-health care. I need to raise money for my pageant platform. 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 . Maura Spence-Carroll knows firsthand the barriers to care that exist for military members seeking mental . You could read to children at schools, libraries, hospitals and public events. It doesnt mean that the contestant has already taken her platform to a global level; it simply means that she can take it there with the assistance of the pageant system. If youre having a hard time getting started then go talk to your parents, friends, relatives, teachers and anyone who knows you well and that you trust. You can go so many places with that skill because most people dont even know how to thread a needle these days! If you decide to delve straight in with your story in the introductory paragraph, you risk overwhelming your judges. Don't fret, we've got all the answers for you right here. Home; My Story; Courses. 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. 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. However, at age 16, a sport related injury led to a complete left-knee reconstructive surgery. These individuals may have a harder time coping with stress. Well, suppose that you are competing in a pageant with 25 other girls and three of those girls are saying that, The Red Cross is their platform. As years go by, new national pageants emerged, announcing new sets of Miss Philippines and sending them abroad to compete. But taekwondo is not simply a mental and physical exercise regimen for Nia. Photo: Facebook. Henderson grew up around alcohol and domestic violence, being exposed to a plethora of negative experiences. Advocating for mental health. 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. Another national titleholder that created a platform based on her own personal history, is Nia Sanchez. Creating the perfect pageant platform consists of three different types of thinking: how strongly do you feel about your cause, what actions can you take to make your community aware of this cause, and what about it makes you a memorable contestant. 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. 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. This Beauty Queen Uses Her Platform to Ease Mental Health Stigma in Asian American Community. Thats just what Miss Washington Teen USA 2019 Lily Lloyd did. 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. For example, you may want to help children who are growing up in poverty, like our current Miss Universe 2018, Catriona Gray does. Alexis inspired the Autism community and demonstrated that there is hope for people on the spectrum to be able to attain whatever their dreams are. Many girls who are titleholders only use their titles to achieve personal fame and establish a modeling career from having their titles. Your platform could be centered around how a family members condition has forced you to become a stronger person for them. Cheslies pageant platform had its early beginnings when she was still in college. Then, she arranged for all of the proceeds to go directly to benefit The Childrens Miracle Network. Teresas passion to combat eating disorders stems from a friend who struggled with bulimia. It serves as a way to communicate who you are, what you care about, what your values are and it is a part of your overall brand. 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. In recent years, several noteworthy titleholders have created dynamic and powerful platforms that not only won them a significant title, but brought a lot of public attention and support to their individual causes. This is your moment to speak on your why. A public competition where people MAKE something: cookies, cakes, pies, chili, A public competition where people DO something: play music, break dance, carve pumpkins, decorate gingerbread houses, tell jokes, Zumba, Self-Defense, Kick Boxing or other fitness or dance class, Online Auctions where people donate items and you sell them to the highest bidder, Public Auctions where people donate items and you sell them to the highest bidder, Fun Runs or Walks, including color runs, or some other kind of theme, Dance-a-thons (or any other kind of thon). If youre interested in finding out more about the cause of Autism, there are organizations like Autism Speaks, the Autism Society of America and Autism Outreach Inc. that would love to get you involved. 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 And then there's the other . She collaborated with experts including Mark Grobbelaar, founder of the Woman INpowered course she had taken, and began hosting Unbreakable workshops in her home country to provide women with valuable and sometimes life-saving information. Kelsi explained that her college roommate attempted suicide and she got to see firsthand how devastating to consequences of depression was to her friend. I held an online photo pageant for people of any age, race, ability, body type or gender. Candy Lightner learned from a policeman that drunk driving was rarely prosecuted harshly, and that the driver who hit Cari, (who had a record of arrests for intoxication, and had in fact been arrested on another hit-and-run drunk-driving charge less than a week earlier) was unlikely to spend significant time behind bars. When writing your conclusion, you want to make sure that you use a proper tone that makes it sound like you are concluding your essay. For example, if you have noticed a large population of homeless veterans in your community, you can use your platform to bring awareness to their struggles as well as creating events and fundraisers that would help the veterans find permanent solutions to their issues. Also, by notifying all of the people on your networking brainstorming form that you are available for appearances and to volunteer, you just might get recruited to do things by people that you dont even know! Many pageant systems have dedicated their organization and the work of their titleholders to enriching the lives of people affected by various diseases. The other contestants raised money by holding their own pageants, gala balls, fun runs, quiz nights and cake sales. If you are really good, you could sell your services doing hair and makeup for proms and dances, or you could even teach young pre-teens how to do their own hair and makeup for a fee. This might have to do with the fact that so many pageant contestants and titleholders are genuinely and remarkably talented people. Photo: White Collar Glam. Sometimes she serves 120 people in a day and some days its 50. 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. This creates the perfect opportunity for you because you know what struggles that you or your family member faced and you most likely have already thought about what would make the process easier. This type of elementary school horseplay was frowned upon, but often brushed aside as harmless. Photo: Instagram. 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. Kendra Hale has been involved in pageants for many years and most recently held the title of 2018-2019 National American Miss. A platform is simply about solving a problem of some kind. child advocacy. 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. The first step in behavior change is to become educated about the need to change our behaviors. * Take notice: Be aware of the world around you and see the . Photo: Miss Universe. Another titleholder whose platform came from her own medical experience is Miss Washington World America 2019, Shree Saini. Let us mentor you! As a result, you felt like the whole world was opened for you. 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. That is totally normal, and its ok. Between two girls with the same cause, a judge is more likely to choose someone with a personal connection to it and whos actually spreading awareness over someone who championed the cause because their coach told them to. My role models are my Mom, my aunts and other family members. MADD was formed when 13-year-old Cari Lightner was walking along a quiet road on her way to a church carnival when a car swerved out of control, striking and killing her. It does not have to be complicated. And, then begin writing down every single person that you know that you think you could network with in some way. For the price of a coffee, you will be getting a huge list of . In fact, you can make a major difference in the lives of homeless individuals just by being willing to show up. A platform does not have to be widely known or super popular to have that kind of presence; it just has to have enough people involved and have a global network in place. (7) Certain personality traits are more closely associated with mental pathology and eating disorders. But, whats even more impressive than her ambition and her title is what shes doing when nobody else is watching. It really should not be something that you put on at all! Who do they know? If you have a unique platformnot included here, please email us at [emailprotected] so we can include it here! She shows up for the homeless, the ignored, the forgotten, the invisible and for the disenfranchised. Supper Club Where everyone pays a small fee and brings a dish and their recipe and you share a meal together. Childhood beauty pageant contestants: associations with adult disordered eating and mental health Eat Disord. Of course, you dont have to start your own non-profit to help make a difference for the homeless population. With the previous sections in mind, you want to make sure that above all, your platform stands out amongst the other contestants. Rachel Barcellona is a beautiful and inspiring pageant girl with autism. The second paragraph of your essay should be the how. Best for quitting alcohol: I Am . Best for sleep: Calm. folder_open . It does not have to be a huge undertaking, like sponsoring a 5 course fancy dinner in a ballroom somewhere. MADD had expanded to some 320 chapters and 600,000 volunteers and donors nationwide by 1985, and by 2000, the 20th anniversary of MADDs foundingalcohol-related fatalities had dropped some 40 percent over two decades, and states with the toughest drunk-driving laws were beginning to treat alcohol-related fatalities as murder. Are all three of you the same? Miss Universe advocates for the group, Young Focus, a non-government organization working towards making education accessible to the children of Smokey Mountain dumpsite communities, which is a slum in Tondo, Manila. 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! Ker's exposure to pageants began at the age of 10, through a mentorship program known as the Fleur de Lis . 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. Today, Ginger is a leader in understanding mental health trends, leveraging data science data to improve care delivery around the world, and transforming an industry that desperately needs change. This is why most wellness programs start off with a personal health assessment and a biometric screening. However, it needs to be customized so that it looks like it was made for you as well. I was approved by my neurologist to try feasible alternatives to my current prescribed medication in the hope of improving my quality of life. You want to be able to speak about your platform for days on end to as many people as possible and not risk exhaustion because you love your platform just that much. Or they choose bullying because they were bullied as a child, and its a popular platform, so it seems like a good idea. We havent even discussed your communication skills yet and youve already got a bunch of great ideas. Furious, Lightner decided to take action against what she later called the only socially accepted form of homicide. MADD was the result. When we talk about promoting your platform, were not talking about renting a vehicle with a speaker on the top, and driving throughout your neighborhood yelling at people to give canned goods to their local food bank. Its time for another brainstorming session, so get out your pen and paper and lets get down to business! Demi-Leight was inspired to launch Unbreakable after her own violent carjacking experience in June 2017. Photo: Pinterest. Boosted confidence. Most likely you do not. It makes me miss my dear aunt, Charlotte Sheffield, former Miss USA, Miss Utah USA and Days of '47 Queen. Appearance does not define beauty. From severe diseases like cancer and Aids to mental health related issues like depression or eating disorders, and even subjects like organ donation, if you have a sincere desire to serve those who are suffering, then this category may be a good match for you. And, as a survivor of the disease, she is committed to trying to raise awareness of the debilitating nature of eating disorders, and to spread the message to young girls that "Self-confidence is the single most important thing in the key to happiness. Just start a fundraiser and share your page! Writing a pageant platform may seem like a tremendous amount of work, but the next section covers exactly how you want to write your platform essay and what you can include to differentiate your essay from the next! With the goal of becoming a nursing professional, Tarnia is advocating for the platform "mental health". They support Smile Train, GMHC and AID FOR AIDS, and the winner of Miss Universe spends her year traveling overseas to spread messages about the control of diseases, peace, and public awareness of AIDS. So, in this case, there are a couple of ways that you could drill this platform down to a more personal level. It is 5 o clock in the morning! I was diagnosed with Lou Gehrig's disease at the age of 56,in Jan of this year. Photo:Associated Press. This type of a platform would be extremely personal and motivating for you. Her involvement with her platform allowed her to partner with Prevent Child Abuse America and Child Help. You can spread awareness of your cause through social media, but taking your cause to the streets not only gets the general public more engaged, but it can also give you more inspiration to keep going. Choosing something that you are also accomplished at is key. If your platform is affiliated with a nationwide organization or has an international presence, then it is one that you can grow with and market easily. 107 Pageant Platform Examples (& How to Choose THE One)6 Pageant Platform Money Raising Ideas That Are Guaranteed to Work!Pageant Daily Hosted on Acast. pageant advocacy about mental health. EXTREME MIND. You could even make money reading to sick or elderly people who only understand Spanish. You could help so many people and make money at the same time. The way that you do that is to think about why you are choosing this platform and then pay attention to the small, personal details that fill you with deep emotion. This is where your personality and hard work comes in. There are people out there who are petite and always have to have their pants, dresses and skirts hemmed and they would love to pay you to do it for them. And, because there are so many types of pro-animal causes, you can find one that fits exactly what you want to do. If you grew up in foster care, are a parent to an adopted child or just feel inspired to help in that area, then check out an organization that is tied to foster care, adoption or some other form of. 2005 May-Jun;13(3):291-301. doi: 10.1080/10640260590932896. 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. Photo: Creative Sparks Imagery. Kelsi believes social media is a culprit in the pressure young women apply to themselves. She was also aligned with the National Child Advocacy Center's "It's My Body Campaign," and worked to initiate similar programs into community outreach organizations during her year of service as Mrs. International. Choosing a platform is something that you should really take some time to explore. She went on to host workshops in other countries, including Indonesia, Mexico, and the United States. She shows up for these people when nobody else does. But, its nothing to get worked up about. I have struggled with Bipolar Disorder most of my. It is absolutely possible to coast on through your pageant journey without having a platform, but you will have missed an opportunity to make a lasting impact in someones life. Its a tremendous and freeing time to champion a cause related to female empowerment and any related topics. No problem! Cheslie also created a ball gown out of newspaper for the competition! Catwalking in front of thousands of people wearing four-inch heels and a bikini does . 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. Youre on the right track, but you need to customize your concept. Solve a Rubik's Cube or a jigsaw puzzle, read challenging books, or even learn a new language. As mentioned in the previous section, having a platform that means the world to you is absolutely key. Thankfully, there are a substantial number of agencies and organizations that are available to partner with, but the reality is that you do not have to have a huge network of people to help you get started. (The word, H.E.A.R.T.S. stands for Helping, Encouraging, Achieving, Reading, Teaching, and Supporting.). In conclusion, writing a pageant platform essay is just like writing an essay for class. 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? And, many of those titleholders decided to combine their love of the arts with education. Typically the things that we most enjoy are the things that we are also good at doing, but sometimes we find something we love like experimenting with recipes, but were not all that great at it. A pageant platform essay is a paper in which you speak about exactly what youve been working on with your platform and what you have chosen to champion throughout your time as a competitor. Ng was unsure as to what pageants could offer her already budding career in mental health, but, she began to realize that she could use her platform to further her passion of wanting to de-stigmatize mental health especially amongst the Asian American community. Bed ridden for months, the psychological toll of a shattered dream and recovering body led to an eventual downward depressive spiral. Okay, okay, we know. and I have to say this natural treatment is a 100% game changer for anyone with ALS. In recent years, pageant platforms that promote the arts or art education in some form have become increasingly more popular. When others can see the passion and care that you bring to the issue, judges included, it shows that you truly want to make a difference. When you can share with people in a deeply personal and truthful way, why you have the platform you have and why you are choosing to do what you are doing, that is when you will be able to connect with them and motivate them to give. There is nothing wrong with having an anti-bullying platform, if that is what you feel drawn to. Add To Favorites California Pageant Queens Will Use Their Voice to Raise Awareness About Mental Health Los Angeles Sentinel - 4/20/2022 The reigning Miss Black CA USA Autumn Rae and Miss Black CAUSATalented Teen Nasreen El-Shabazz are coming together to use their pageant platform to bring awareness and resolution to depression, suicide, and mental health as they represent the state of . You may never have thought of this before, with regard to yourself, but most anything that someone can do well is something that they can make money at. Creating a platform gives you a voice to advocate for the change you want to see for others who have faced the same ailments you have seen take hold of someones life. The Miss Michigan USA pageant is right around the corner: May 27-28 in Port Huron. Shrees platform is all about heart health and emotional wellbeing, and she is an incredible volunteer, logging an astounding amount of volunteer hours, and earning numerous awards for giving her time to many organizations including the American Heart Association and The Hope Heart Institute. Do you see how finding your niche makes your platform come alive? Even if you all three volunteer your time at your local Red Cross, I bet that what you do, how you do it and what you really care about is very individual to each of you. 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. Mrs. International 2013 Amy Gregorio collecting toys for foster children in L.A. Photo Facebook. 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. Try to get involved with things that relate to your brand and who you are and what you most enjoy doing. Cheyenne, WY 82001. What do you lose yourself in? I want to encourage them to be aware of their mental health and to realize there is no shame in going to talk to someone. Mpule Kwelagobe. Sarah Schulz. When you have finished creating your comprehensive list of talents, interests and abilities, then stop and take a look at it. 1. It is primarily a social opportunity. Lauren is also a survivor of anorexia nervosa. And, what do they do?. Sadly, we are hearing more and more about the increase in depression, anxiety and mental health disorders in the world.