My best friend from high school is the director of a local scholarship pageant affiliated with the Miss America Organization. She started competing in pageants herself after we graduated HS, but I had left the area for college and then a mission, and I never got to see her compete. When I moved back about 4 years later, she had won a local title, and had participated in the pageant for the state title. Since then, she has helped many other young women prepare themselves for competition. Also, as the director of this local pageant, my friend finds volunteers to help with the whole production, giving them the opportunity to expand their horizons as they become stage managers, lighting specialists, and contestant hostesses. Last week, Heidi (my sis) and I became hostesses for the big event and I thought I’d share some insights.

1. These pageants can help pay for college. I never took the "scholarship" part seriously until I talked with a few of the young women who will be graduating with no debt since they competed 5-8 times. Even runners-up receive some type of scholarship.
2. To prevent wedgies during the swimming suit competition, apply butt glue to your bottom and then stretch the bikini brief to its proper place.
3. You may also glue your strapless evening gown to your breasts to prevent slippage.
4. The butt glue (or body glue) can be purchased at your local prosthetics shop.
5. Hot tea and honey can help prepare your voice for singing. Don’t put the honey in the tea though, just squirt it right down your throat.
6. Be sure to sing your Italian opera piece 50 or more times in the dressing room to warm up your voice, or to intimidate the other contestants, or to annoy the hostesses.
7. Bring lots and lots of pins–safety and bobby.
8. Duct tape can be used to form cleavage out of nothing.
9. Ask your mom to teach you how she curls your hair since she won’t be allowed in the dressing room on the big night.