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"Don't Judge Me Because I Judged a Beauty Pageant: Myth-Busting the Pageant World"

by Karen S. Exkorn 

Best-selling author/corporate training consultant

I was asked to judge a beauty pageant. Actually, it was Miss New Jersey's Outstanding Teen Pageant (you'll note that the word "beauty" is no longer included in the title). My first response was... really? It's 2014. Isn't this concept a bit dated, not to mention anti-feminist? My second response was... why me? I'd never been in a beauty pageant, and the only contest I'd ever participated in was the Teen Miss Dance of New England competition in the mid-1970s. I assumed no one really remembered that except for my parents and my former dance teacher, Charlotte Klein, from my days growing up in Worcester, Massachusetts.

When I received the phone call asking me to be a judge, I thought that maybe it was meant for someone else. It was not. Apparently, a producer of one of the major TV networks had recommended me because of my consulting work as a presentation skills and media coach. So, in the spirit of trying new things, I decided to go for it.

What I'd assumed was going to be an exercise in mindless frivolity turned out to be serious business. I was surprised at the level of professionalism that went into the preparation for this pageant. These young women aged 13-17 were required to create extensive bios, hone their talents, and then engage in rigorous individual interviews before appearing onstage to perform in front of hundreds.

So much for my preconceived notion that pageantry was anti-feminist. In fact, it seemed to be quite the opposite. These young women were developing life skills that would serve them well as they entered their professional lives, whether in business, arts, technology or academics.

Let me share with you some of the general misconceptions about pageants that were shattered during my day as a pageant judge.

Myths of Teen (Beauty) Pageants:

1. Pageants are for the pretty but not-so-smart.

Yes, the winner of Miss New Jersey's Outstanding Teen Pageant 2014 is pretty, andshe plans to attend M.I.T. She also promotes a program called STEM (Science Technology Engineering Mathematics) to encourage young women to enter fields that are typically dominated by men.

2. Pageants promote eating disorders.

It was made clear to both the contestants and judges that Miss New Jersey's Outstanding Teen would need to be a role model for a healthy, strong body. Instead of stick-thin contestants parading around the stage in bathing suits, these teens each jogged onto the stage in work-out clothes that consisted of a t-shirt and shorts, and had to demonstrate their fitness level by performing a routine that included aerobics, sit-ups and push-ups.

3. Pageants are just so shallow.

Contestants were required to have a "platform" that demonstrated their commitment to community service. Each chose a cause that she felt personally connected to; one had a sister with autism, another had family members with skin cancer, others took on bullying and teen drinking. These young women organized walkathons, community gatherings, and school awareness programs to promote their causes.

4. There are no real world skills that can be learned from being a pageant contestant.

When was the last time you had to stand up in front of seven judges and answer a barrage of questions ranging from your future goals to your thoughts on political matters such as the controversial lane closures on the George Washington Bridge? (This was New Jersey, after all...). These teens had to demonstrate their ability to think on their feet and present their thoughts in an articulate and concise manner. They also exhibited self-motivation, determination, organizational skills, and public speaking skills.

5. Pageants are anti-feminist.

In addition to offering significant life skills to young women, Miss America's Outstanding Teen Inc. is one of the top scholarship providers for young teens in the United States. Founded in 2005 with a strong commitment to higher education, they have made available approximately $5,000,000 in cash and in-kind scholarships that have allowed pageant winners to attend such prestigious schools as Harvard University, Brown University, Cornell University, and more.

6. Pageant winners don't go on to be successful in life.

Really? Tell that to Oprah Winfrey (Miss Black Tennessee 1986), Halle Berry (Miss Ohio USA 1986), Sharon Stone (Miss Crawford County 1976), Michelle Pfeffier (Miss Orange County 1978), Vanessa Williams (Miss America 1984), and Diane Sawyer (American's Junior Miss 1963).

So the next time you judge a pageant, even if it's as you're sitting on your sofa in your living room watching TV, think twice before you judge too harshly.

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Miss Teen USA hacker jailed for 18 months

Source: BBC News

An American teenager who blackmailed young women with compromising images grabbed by hacking their webcams has been jailed for 18 months.

Jared James Abrahams broke into about 150 online accounts over a two-year period to commit the crimes. More than two dozen women in the US, Ireland and other nations had their computers hacked by Abrahams.

One victim was Miss Teen USA 2013 beauty contest winner - Cassidy Wolf. Abrahams was arrested in early 2013 and pleaded guilty to one count of computer hacking and three of extortion in November.

In a statement about the sentencing, the US Department of Justice said Abrahams had targeted women he had known personally or found by hacking their Facebook pages. Abrahams took over email, social media accounts and computers and used this access to remotely turn on the machine and grab pictures when his victims were naked.

Abrahams had then extorted cash from victims by threatening to publicly post nude photos and videos, said the DoJ in a statement about the sentencing. "As digital devices, email accounts, and social media accounts now contain the most intimate details of the public's daily lives, the impact of this type of hacking and extortion becomes more pronounced, troubling, and far-reaching," wrote DoJ prosecutors in a document filed in advance of the sentencing hearing. "In some cases, this type of criminal behaviour can be life-changing for the victims - especially for vulnerable victims who may feel it is impossible to rebuild their tarnished reputations," said the document. 

People should be careful where they posted images and videos to avoid becoming a victim of extortion and escape the risk of compromising content being stolen, said the DoJ. In addition, it said, people should choose hard-to-guess passwords, keep security software updated and avoid opening unexpected attachments. Lastly, it said, people should keep webcams covered when they are not in use.

What's it like to be a pageant winner from Central Minnesota?

by Frank Lee

Kimberly Stommes knows what it’s like to win with a wave and a smile. Competing in her fourth pageant, the 26-year-old wife and mother from St. Cloud was crowned Mrs. Minnesota 2014 at the March 8 competition hosted by St. Cloud State University. “It’s a really great experience,” said Stommes, who will represent Minnesota at the 2014 Mrs. International pageant in July in Jacksonville, Fla. The Sartell High School graduate began competing when she was a teenager and was named Miss Minnesota Teen in the 2005 National American Miss pageant.

“Some people may have an idea of pageant stereotypes, but I have really made long-lasting friendships through the pageants I have done,” she said. “I think a lot of people assume that a pageant is all about beauty, and that you need to be thin and gorgeous to do a pageant and to win a pageant.” Stommes recently graduated from the University of St. Thomas School of Law and was admitted into the Minnesota State Bar Association. “A pageant really gives you a sense of confidence and a sense of getting to know who you are as an individual,” said Stommes, a judicial law clerk. Stommes is an avid volunteer with the American Diabetes Association and Sauk Rapids Riverside Lions Club. She began volunteering at a young age as a pageant contestant.

“Competing in pageants really made me want to be a better person, not only academically but also in the community,” she said. The Mrs. International pageant system recognizes women “for their commitment to family, profession and community stewardship,” according to a news release. “The beautiful thing about the International system is that they really are looking for women that are intelligent and involved in the community,” Stommes said. “The women that are competing are really being an advocate for something, and so for me, I’m an advocate for diabetes because my father has diabetes.” Stommes is a treasurer in the Lions Club, and also first vice president, when she isn’t doing special presentations and assisting with civic and nonprofit projects. “I think as a pageant contestant, there can be a lot of pressure involved to be well-rounded and to be smart but also physically fit and healthy, and I think I deal with those pressures by just being who I am,” she said.

Miss Amazing Pageant: Breaking down ableism in beauty ideals

Celebrating women with special needs, the Miss. Amazing Pageant aims to promote a positive special-needs community.

Written by Emily Bland

Long legs, perfect tan, big blonde hair and a perfect smile: In the pageant world, this has long defined beauty. Ableism—prejudice against people with disabilities—is often used to hold individuals back from being considered standardly attractive. Florida’s Miss. Amazing Pageant aims to break that mold and prove that everyone can be beautiful. With the help of Nicole Miller, The Miss Amazing Pageant will have its first ever Florida competition for those with disabilities. Miller, the State Director for the Miss Amazing project here in Florida, defines not only how the pageant celebrates participants talents, but gives them a platform to become vocal and influential citizens in their community. While the pageant culture is also often regarded as being costly, this pageant works to make this event not only affordable, but also impact to the community around it. “The Florida Miss Amazing Pageant for girls and women with disabilities celebrates each participant’s unique abilities and talents,” Miller said.

Open to girls ages five and up, the entry fee for participants is five cans of food—alleviating any socioeconomic barriers preventing people from entering. Once the cans are collected, the six division winners donate the money to their local homeless shelter or food pantry. “Our hope is to inspire the Miss Amazing queens and princesses with this community service project to put their talents to work and give back in their own way,” Miller said. Although the Miss. Amazing Pageant is a nationwide event, prior to Millers involvement, Florida had never held its own competition. After Miller saw a post about the Miss Amazing pageant from the campaign ‘Everyone Matters’—a global inclusiveness campaign, she researched the pageant and eventually became the State Director for Florida.

Along with bringing the competition to Florida, Miller’s responsibilities range across the entire program focusing on ensuring a positive experience for its contestants. Miller’s job as State director requires approximately 6-8 months of planning, recruiting volunteers and participants and raising at least $25,000. They also work closely with the six queens as they raise funds to attend the Miss Amazing pageant in Omaha. Similar to the traditional pageant, the contest involves various categories for participants to compete in before the crowning at the end of the night. The areas of participation include interview, introduction, eveningwear, with an optional talent showcase. The Junior League of Tallahassee donated dresses for the event, and while one representative of each age division is selected as queen, every participant is crowned as a princess.

As the goal of the Miss. Amazing pageant and programs, Miller hopes to encourage those with disabilities in order to affect their self-esteem in the future. “We believe that all people should be given the opportunity to reach their full potential,” Miller said. “Through the structure of the Miss Amazing pageant and other Miss Amazing programs, we hope to give girls and women with disabilities that opportunity. In an atmosphere built around encouragement and support, we believe the Miss Amazing pageant can bring the community together and encourage further inclusion for individuals with special needs.”

In order to get involved in the pageant, Miller says they are still looking for aid in nearly every aspect of the competition. Those interested can email her at nicolemiller@missamazingpageant.com.

Located at the Downtown Community Church, the cost to get through the door is a donation for other Miss Amazing projects. “These donations will offer a life-changing experience to young ladies with special needs in our community, and will ultimately circulate back to community organizations,” Miller said.