4 Reasons to Compete in Your Hometown Pageant

Many pageant contestants get their start by competing in their hometown pageant. Whether it is a school, fair or festival pageant, the hometown pageant gives pageant competitors the experience they need to move forward in their pageant career. Even though my very first pageant was not a local pageant, my 2nd pageant experience was my high school pageant, the Miss Handleyan Pageant. I did not walk away with the crown, but I did finish in the top 10. This pageant allowed me the opportunity to interview in front of a panel of judges and showcase my evening gown walk that I had worked so hard to perfect with the assistance of my former 5th grade teacher Mrs. Jill Morris.

It is important not to discount hometown pageants. They may not offer large sums of scholarship money or have an extravagant prize package, but they provide invaluable lessons.

4 Reasons to Compete in Your Hometown Pageant

Hometown pageants provide stage experience.

Just the mere fact of walking on stage in an evening gown gives you stage experience. You are learning how to captivate an audience, build self-confidence, and display poise.

Hometown pageants prepare you for public speaking.

Many hometown pageants will require you to do a personal introduction or partake in an interview. I know in my hometown pageant, I had to give a personal introduction as well as participate in an interview. Both helped me to get comfortable speaking in front of people.

Hometown pageants prepare contestants to serve as role models.

Pageant girls are seen as role models. They are held to a different standard, and they are expected to act accordingly. Titleholders of these pageants may be asked to speak or work with young girls. They must be ready and willing to serve.

Hometown pageants prepare you for future pageants.

Hometown pageants are what I consider to be starter pageants. I refer to them as starter pageants because they give you your start in the pageant world. As you continue to compete, you will gain experience that you can take into your future pageant competitions.

I advice any females that are interested in pageantry to start with their local hometown pageant. Who knows you may be the next Miss Handleyan, Miss Tomato, Miss National Peanut Festival, or Miss Calendar Girl. (Yes, these are actually local pageants in my home state of Alabama.)

Happy competing!