ALERT! Please remember to VOTE! for Christallin for the Internet Choice Award at www.mrsmichiganunitedstates.com! Look for "the pageant" and scroll down to the photos of the delegates and vote for me there. Voting is from May 9-May 15, 2008. Thank you for helping me!

Pageant Preparation- Part II


The delegates personality is also on center stage during the personal interview. The delegates get 45 seconds to introduce themselves to the judges. The remaining 5 minutes consists of judges asking questions mostly form the personal biography that each delegate submits. delegates must display knowledge of current events, something about their region and anything else the judges ask. Delegates must appear poised, confident, intelligent, and well versed. It's a tall order, so lots of preparation must take place in order to be ready.

My personal preparation consists of spiritual, mental, physical, and attitudinal preparation.
Spiritually, I pray daily throughout the day, asking God to make me the person He wants me to be. I attend weekly worship and Bible study where I pray for others and they pray for me. Every Tuesday and Sunday, I fast for 24 hours to devote myself to prayer. When I fast, God usually answers right away. Mentally, my mental preparation consists of staying informed of local and world events. I also speak before groups about my platform mission. I lead a weekly Narcotics Anonymous group where I practice my group facilitation and leadership skills. I attend a Toastmaster's International group called "Frankly Speaking" where I refine my leadership and speaking skills. I read self help and pageant preparation material daily to internalize my presentation. Physical, I began a low cal diet and intense exercise program ( I was always working out but not watching my calorie intake) last September. Since then I've lost 47 pounds and gone form a size 16 to a size 9. I am 5'10" My workouts generally last from 1 1/2- 2 hours 5-6 days a week. I am into body sculpting with weights so I weight lift, do cardio ( I LOVE Spinning!), Pilates, and TaeBo. I am proud to say that my diet and fitness secrets will be featured in Strut magazine on new stands June 1, 2008!
The most important aspect of pageant preparation is developing the attitude of a queen. The Bible says that the greatest among you will be the servant of all. I like to read the Book of Proverbs for a daily attitude adjustment. A queen must be ready to help when she is needed. She must put others ahead of herself and strive to make each person she interacts with feel important. Her attitude should reflect a heartfelt connection with those she serves. She's a role model of grace and her attitude must be graceful. If her preparation is successful, her attitude will show it.
A pageant delegate is in many ways like a political candidate. She must be many things to many people. Her preparation must focus on presenting herself in the best light. her readiness must include spiritual, mental, physical, and attitudinal preparation. Then and only then will she be ready and fully prepared to take on the role of queen.

From an original speech delivered by Mrs. Southeastern Michigan United States, 2008, for Toastmaster's International, "Frankly Speaking" club, Southfield Michigan.