Cheslie Kryst 'Changed My Life,' Says Former Miss Utah Rachel Slawson around the country. pageant platform mental health. Youre on the right track, but you need to customize your concept. How Beauty Pageants Empower Women - Her Campus In a livestream on the Miss Universe YouTube channel, Catriona Gray addressed issues affecting mental health in the pageant world and called on fans, delegates, and international organizations to do their part to make the space safer and more positive for everyone. 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. 5 O clock! What an incredible way to think outside the box and use your platform to benefit the pageant that you are representing! 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? Like the majority of pageant girls, Kendra Hale has been involved with a lot of service organizations throughout her time in pageantry. Like I said in point 1 pageants really do boost your confidence it might be scary before you go out on stage but knowing you walked in 5-inch heels in an evening dress without falling off stage is truly empowering. She now has an additional opportunity to promote her social media platform, R.E.A.L.I.T.Y. Are you educating people about the history of the Red Cross? Just think of what can come from your networking efforts! Or, you could put an ad in a local college newspaper that you are available to practice conversational Spanish with others. Meet contestant #4 Tarnia Eugene from the cultural and dynamic community of Grand Bay! Maybe you would prefer to get involved with children in a way that is not quite so serious, but you still want to make a major impact in a childs life. The problems and disorders under the umbrella of mental health are varied and include everything from suicide awareness to eating disorders. Amazon Smile you can raise money for almost any charity there. 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 . If you bring out your inner creativity and try to market your platform in a way you have never seen others do it before, then you are well on your way to a great platform. The reality is that trying to find a way to tell your personal story as it relates to your platform is the most powerful way that you can motivate people to not only support your cause, but also donate their money to it. Young women are often comparing themselves against the accomplishments or achievements of others, she explains. Two titleholders who have had intimate knowledge of depression and the resulting feelings of pain and isolation are Miss Black USA 2018 Kelsi Horn and Miss Global 2018 Sophia Ng. Beauty pageants, depression and me - Mind Life Clarity; Camera Confidence; Awards & Media; Blog . Every year millions of cats and dogs are placed into animal shelters, and a majority are euthanized because there are not enough good homes available. The most important aspect of the platform is to be able to go out into the world and inspire with actions as well as words. Who is going to solve this? Now, the opportunity is in your hands to make that change! This can be very useful if your platform is related to anything in their realm of interests. Best for drinking less alcohol: Reframe. If that is the case, then make sure that you think through how exactly you want to assist them. Shree was given 5 pageant awards that night, even though she spent the remainder of the week in the hospital. Since the partnership began, countless contestants have chosen to champion the cause, which has resulted in unprecedented growth and support of the charity, as well as hope for families, that the loss of their loved one was not in vain. Photo:Associated Press. Filipinos are big beauty pageant fans. 9 Beauty Pageant Q&As That Celebrate Women's Intelligence, Ambition News Stories - Q95FM In contrast, pageants seem to instill messages like "I should be flawless," "I have to be thin . Miss Teen USA Kaliegh Garris AND Miss USA Cheslie Kryst at the Annual Best Buddies Leadership Conference. What classes have you really enjoyed when you were in school? You could even take it a step further and combine photography and doing hair and makeup! Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray in the slums of Tondo. Miss Global 2018 Sophia Ng was born in Vancouver, Canada and had dreams and aspirations to play volleyball professionally. Sometimes we know the general direction that we want to go in with our platform, but it just feels too big,or not specific enough.It doesnt click. Other child-related topics include fighting . Instead of thinking about promoting your platform, think more about communicating about it, because that is, in essence, what you are really doing. All of these aspects of your platform should mesh well together, and make it easier for the pageant judges to understand what youre all about. A pageant like The International Pageant System is an organization that puts a major emphasis on service work and platforms, so its no surprise that two of their well known national titleholders in the Mrs. Division, embraced platforms that focused on helping suffering children. 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. What if you combine your love of animals with your love of sewing and designing and create your own line of cute outfits or costumes for pets? Let us mentor you! Photo Miss Global. In general, when you are trying to think of what you can do to make money for your platform, try to stay as true to yourself as possible. 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. Miss Dominican Republic 2015, Clarissa Molina. David and Jackie Siegel lost their daughter Victoria to a drug interaction overdose when she was only 18. According to the National Alliance to End Homelessness, A total of 552,830 people were experiencing homelessness on a single night in 2018. 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. Lily started a non-profit called, The Smize Foundation, which is a nonprofit corporation that connects high school students with local food banks to provide donations, volunteer opportunities and awareness of community outreach. Best for sleep: Calm. I was diagnosed with Lou Gehrig's disease at the age of 56,in Jan of this year. What are your talents, interests, gifts and abilities? When you can key in to those personal details that motivate you, it then becomes so much more than a pageant platform. Okay, how do I write a pageant platform essay? If you have a unique platformnot included here, please email us at [emailprotected] so we can include it here! And at first glance, this year's winner - Sophia Ng - has all the hallmarks of a typical pageant queen. In conclusion, writing a pageant platform essay is just like writing an essay for class. You could encourage and promote a movement that parents, childcare workers and guardians read to children every day. Now that she is a pageant titleholder, she . Its a tremendous and freeing time to champion a cause related to female empowerment and any related topics. If you find that writing worries you, as long as you write from the heart and mean every word you say, you will find yourself writing too long of an essay. Play mind-stimulating games like chess, crossword puzzles and Scrabble. . The coolest part of the Siegels story is that the Mrs. America Organization was so moved by their efforts, that Victorias Voice has now become one of the official charities of both the Mrs. America pageant, as well as its sister pageant, Miss For America. Miss Colorado hopes to destigmatize mental health in the military Boosted confidence. We want to nail down the things where you excel, that you also happen to like doing. We cover other topics such as interview techniques, fashion, beauty and modeling. abortion, legalization of marijuana N. She calls it, Healing Hearts, and its a platform that is dedicated to enhancing the lives of others. If you decide to delve straight in with your story in the introductory paragraph, you risk overwhelming your judges. Listen to Steven and Jesse break it down for you in the podcast, "What is a Pageant Platform and How Do You Develop It?". Our show is dedicated to helping women in the pageant industry find and develop a strong platform, one that can be used when they exit the pageant industry. Best for eating disorders: Recovery Record. Make sure it's the right pageant system for you before you invest hundreds of dollars. 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. Kira worked alongside the organization, Safe Horizon and started her own movement, Put the Nail In It utilizing the hash tag, #putthenailinit. 5. Public speaking is a skill that you can absolutely learn! When that happens it usually means that you just need to narrow it down to a more personal and custom fit. 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. 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. Photo: World Tae Kwon Do Federation. Having confidence also makes these women come back year after year to try again. Mrs. International 2013 Amy Gregorio found her passion and platform as a CASA, or Court Appointed Special Advocate. Kendra explains the personal feelings and beliefs that drive what she does; I live beside several counties that have high poverty rates. With the previous sections in mind, you want to make sure that above all, your platform stands out amongst the other contestants. . Create a concise announcement about your platform, your goals and what you would like to do with your platform in the future. What do you lose yourself in? 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. The butterflies were then attached with a note of encouragement and placed in hospitals, cancer centers, nursing homes, etc. Whether its collecting books or decorating craft butterflies for patients, Kendra insists that Healing Hearts has a place for everyone. This is your moment to speak on your why. Furious, Lightner decided to take action against what she later called the only socially accepted form of homicide. MADD was the result. A lot of contestants think theyve got a great platform, and they have tons of ideas about volunteering or serving in some way in support of that platform. What would you call your platform if it were a book, for example? The other contestants raised money by holding their own pageants, gala balls, fun runs, quiz nights and cake sales. I also held a local raffle which raised nearly 200. 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. Add to that, that frequently, pageants require their contestants to perform a talent during competition, and oftentimes, that talent score is a substantial amount of the total. Choose a full length gown with a full skirt. Why are pageants empowering and what are the benefits? Childhood Beauty Pageant Contestants: Associations with Adult She used her research and a $1,500 grant from the Honors College to design and construct a line of evening gowns for women with varying body types. We do recommend that you work on those skills, though, especially learning to talk to strangers or to a group of people. 66: The Perfect Pageant Platform Outline - Win A Pageant So, dont be too quick to pass up world peace if you believe that your purpose is tied to this type of service work. Pageants help women grow confidence, but they also create insecurities without proper mental-health care. It would still promote literacy but it opens up the platform to include all children, yet at the same time, it keeps it very close to your heart because you have a connection with it on a deep level. Choosing the right pageant platform is integral to how you can market yourself and begin to make a true difference in your community throughout your time as a contender for the title that you are pursuing. and I have to say this natural treatment is a 100% game changer for anyone with ALS. You may just land an awesome interview! 2005 May-Jun;13(3):291-301. doi: 10.1080/10640260590932896. There are so many platform ideas in this category, that we cannot possibly cover them all! You can go so many places with that skill because most people dont even know how to thread a needle these days! We havent even discussed your communication skills yet and youve already got a bunch of great ideas. And, one of the coolest things that Nia did while she was Miss America, was to re-record that song and then sell it online through the MAO website. Prior to these movements, most women were too uncomfortable or ashamed to discuss the topic of sexual abuse so openly, and many certainly felt that it was a risky idea for a pageant platform. However, it needs to be customized so that it looks like it was made for you as well. Mandy is also a mental health advocate. 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. 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. She earned a Masters degree in Music Composition; she is a classically trained opera singer and she endeavors to use her voice and the power of music to transform lives through art. They provide professional clothing, mentoring and life-skills to help low-income men get the clothing and toiletries they need for job interviews. Now, is it absolutely necessary to have as a pageant contender? I want them to know that they are perfect just as they are, and they dont need to compare themselves to anyone. Photo: CNN. Are you facing any medical conditions that you like to bring awareness to? Everything from how they look to what theyve accomplished is judged against someone else, and that isnt healthy.. You must be absolutely excited, passionate and sold out regarding your platform and your purpose as you understand it, otherwise raising money will feel like a grind. Do you all have the same platform? 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. "Cheslie changed my life," Slawson, 26, tells PEOPLE . It is primarily a social opportunity. 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. And, then the fact that you can sew, is a huge money maker! Who knows, they may not be interested in talking to you. For instance, they decide that they should select a disease because they have a family member that suffers from that disease. Miss Black USA 2018 Kelsi Horn. You can raise money for your platform right through your Pageant Planet profile! Platforms are a particular cause or program you choose to promote as part of your volunteer work through the pageant. Teresa did extensive research about eating disorders for her friend and discovered just how rampant it was across the nation. If you are an empathetic person, who has the desire to impact a young life, then youll probably find your dream platform in this category. Everyone either has a cause or has heard a story that pulls on your heartstrings and makes you want to help as much as humanly possible. Are you motivated to save an endangered species? You need to see what the pageant's "definitions" are by looking at the performance of the top 5 contestants. It is based on the idea that colleagues can help build . If during the competition you never have a chance to speak about your platform, the essay needs to cover every single thing about your platform so that the judges have a semblance of what you have stood for thus far in your pageant journey. That is why we want to make sure that the platform you select fits you like a glass slipper! Although she passed on the crown to a new Miss Universe, Demi-Leigh has no plans on giving up on her Unbreakable initiative. Just by taking a quick glance through your life and your own personal struggles, familial struggles, or the struggles of your neighborhood, you can find so much inspiration for creating the perfect pageant platform. She shows up. Promoting your platform is not something that you must do alone. Milagros Day Worldwide, is a non-profit organization that empowers survivors of Domestic Violence through leadership coaching and mentorship; and a commitment to turning abuse into success. This might have to do with the fact that so many pageant contestants and titleholders are genuinely and remarkably talented people. It really should not be something that you put on at all! Because once you volunteer for an event or make a connection by helping someone, they will think of you the next time that they have an opportunity. It's no secret that pageant girls love to give back. As a result, you felt like the whole world was opened for you. The Miss Universe pageant has allowed transgender participation since 2012, and the first trans woman competed in the global event in 2018. But, you never know. And then there's the other . It has to be something that you want to invest in, work tirelessly for and put energy into for the long haul. Mental health. She collected over 1,000 handmade butterflies that were created by people across the United States. In 2015, Kira Kazanstsev was the third consecutive Miss America winner from New York, and she made a powerful impact with her platform, Love Shouldnt Hurt Protecting Women Against Domestic Violence. For example, why not contact your local Mayor, city official or any other important public figure. Any proud pet owner would be over the moon to be able to purchase a custom made outfit for their furry friend. 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. The sad news about Sunday's suicide, at age 30, of Cheslie Kryst, a former Miss USA, makes my heart ache. Are you kidding! Lauren Forbes is the first crowned Miss Pageant Planet, 2018 Miss Massachusetts East Coast USA Photogenic Supremeand "Spirit Award" recipient of Miss Massachusetts USA 2018. Your platform does not have to be limited to one organization or one area of concern. 1910 Thomas Ave Or, if you are more interested in expressing your inner Julia Child, you could combine your love of animals with your baking hobby. Writing what you have done, what you will do, and what has made you continue to keep going is a great way to remain humble and realize why you began in the first place. You have so many options through these places, too. Mental health has historically suffered from a lack of meaningful measurement, which is critical to driving better health outcomes. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. As an advocate of a platform, you have . 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. For Two Miss America Hopefuls, a Passion and Platform for Diverse Mental health conditions . A Beauty Queen Who Fights Mental Health Stigma, and a Dream - KQED In fact, you can make a major difference in the lives of homeless individuals just by being willing to show up. Photo: Miss Universe. It takes a tender heart to want to make a difference in the lives of little ones. Kaylee Carlberg has three pageant crowns, a job helping people, a deep love of animals and bipolar disorder. Meeya Francis, contestant number one in the 2023 Miss Dominica Pageant, explained why she chose the platform "Mental Health in Men," saying that her personal life experiences with the problem of. Get out some paper and a pen and find a nice, quiet place where you can reflect without interruption. Most likely you do not. Her platform is built upon the idea that "every individual should feel comfortable in their own skin. Acceptance into Tiffin University's MBA Program Proceeds from Catrionas music helped to build a preschool and childcare center for Young Focus, and also provided meals for families and children so they could celebrate Christmas with food on their table. Her pageant platform was, Celebrating Diversity Through Cultural Competency, and her motto was, Celebrate diversity and adopt a mutt., Miss America 2014 Nina Davuluri. After being diagnosed with depression and anxiety in 2019, Kikanamada started an Instagram account called More for Myself , where she raises awareness for mental health issues. GMHC is a not-for-profit, volunteer-supported and community-based organization committed to leading the fight against AIDS on a national platform. It should never be something that you just put on for the sake of a pageant competition, because you think the judges will approve of it or just because you want to win a title. Were not talking about starting a new career here. National American Miss 2019 Kendra Hale. If you are new to pageantry and just getting your stilettos wet, then this suggestion is not as big of a deal because you are more in an exploration mode. 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. Life Clarity; Camera Confidence; Awards & Media; Blog; Contact; pageant platform mental health. Once she arrives at the location, she then organizes all of the different service stations that people use once they show up. The Network of Care for Mental / Behavioral Health State of Connecticut Sometimes, you may want to raise money for your platform because you care deeply about what you are doing, and your platform requires financial assistance from donors to survive. Pageant Platform Ideas - The Classroom Its an exciting time to explore volunteering in this area, and you will absolutely feel rewarded for your efforts, as you help other women achieve their own goals. Generally speaking, there are as many potential pageant platform ideas as there are people on the planet, as well as human experiences and experiences that motivate us. That's why so many contestants have a pageant platform, or a cause that a contestant or titleholder dedicates their time to working on or giving back to. We believe that it is never too early to educate yourself on the true facts, risks, and diagnostic techniques of breast cancer. This is where your personality and hard work comes in. It would not take much to set up the interview space, ask a whole bunch of random interview questions and film it all for each contestant. Nia is the only Miss USA ever featured on the cover of the magazine, Tae Kwon Do Times, and was named a Goodwill Ambassador for the World Tae Kwon Do Federation. Volunteering means that you are there to help in some way and get your hands dirty. She is a member of the International Thespian Honor Society and is an honor student and vocalist who loves to sing opera. Have you had a traumatic experience as a result of someone treating you badly? 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. (Recognize, Engage, Accept, Lead, Inspire, and Teach Youth), to bring awareness to service . 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. But, the great news is that there are thousands of organizations and foundations around the world that exist to educate, support and lift up those who are affected by them. Kendra has also started a companion program that allows people to get in touch with their artsy side, while still helping others. And, depending on your particular passion and niche, there are so many wonderful organizations that you can get involved with such as, Dress for Success, Goodwill and Jobs For the Future. We are looking for mental health therapy practitioners to join our tele-therapy network. Other organizations, such as Miss USA or Queen Beauty USA, have their organizations be open-ended as to where a contestant can decide if shed like to pursue a larger cause or have her title be more career-oriented. McCollum's platform, "Giving the Gift of Reading," focuses on children, as do more than half of the platforms of this year's 53 contestants. Some people know immediately what they want to do for their pageant platform, and others need to do some soul searching first. Then you tweak your platform concept in such a way that it is more unique and personal to you. Cheslies obviously enamored the judges at Miss USA, and she consistently demonstrates that todays pageant queen can be a titleholder who is relevant and relatable, while still being a whole bunch of fun! Some tips to improve your mental health. Whats that? Weve decided to give you an overview of some success platforms from the past few years so you can see how the pros have implemented their platforms to have the biggest impact. You would be surprised at how willing most people are to help you achieve your goals. Public and private events and ideas that can help you raise money for your platform. As her story was covered by the local news, Nel-Peters received requests from other women to share the experience. Unfortunately, there are a plethora of diseases and illnesses that afflict human beings. Just ask them what they think that you are really gifted at. 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. Advancing mental healthcare through research and data. - Ginger After winning Miss Universe, Nel-Peters used her title to expand the Unbreakable platform internationally. Or, you could clue into that intimate detail, which is the real thing that motivates you. Hard pageant questions range from current events, political, and environmental questions, to Miss and Teen interview questions.