Thank You, Midwest Premier Pageants!

Thanks to my second business sponsor, Patience Lord, owner of both Creations by Patience and Midwest Premier Pageants.

Patience has quite an impressive resume of pageantry, including state and national crowns...

Patience being crowned Young American Miss International in 2010

...but, for now, most of her pageant competitions are on hold as she focuses on some new priorities:

(There will be "Mrs. Wisconsin" in the future, don't worry!)

This past fall, Patience asked me if I would help judge the "Miss Pretty in Pink" pageant that she was directing in Wausau.  I was thrilled to learn that a pageant was finally being held in my hometown (I don't know why there is no "Miss Wausau" pageant!), but I wasn't sure what to expect.  When I arrived, though, I was amazed to find an organized, professional, well-attended pageant, all arranged by a 20-year-old college student and new mom!   The pageant ran flawlessly, with girls ranging in ages 2 to 23 having fun getting dressed up and just "being girls," but also practicing poise and confidence onstage.   And this was only the first of many pageants that Patience would direct!  I am blown away by this young lady's business skills and her commitment to making a fun, affordable pageant experience available to girls throughout the Midwest!   

Patience also runs a second small business on the side, designing custom children's pageant apparel.  Here's a sneak-peak at some of her creativity:

Patience will graduate from Northcentral Technical College this December with a degree in Small Business Management.  With what she has accomplished already, I'm sure that the future is bright for her and for her businesses!

If you are looking to get involved with a fun, affordable, natural pageant in the midwest, please check out Midwest Premier Pageants to see when the next event will be!

Thank you, Patience, for helping me represent Wisconsin and promote my platform!

If you would like to help sponsor me, please donate using the link above, message me to request a paper form, or send paypal payments to misswiinternational2013@gmail.com.    I have $100 left to raise before TOMORROW!!!  Who will come on board with me!

Thank you, Stephanie Marie Dance Company!!

I'd like to thank my first official business sponsor to come on board with me: Stephanie Marie Dance Company, owned by my close friend and former Miss Milwaukee, Stephanie Obst!
Click here to check out SMDC's facebook page and learn more!

The mission of Stephanie Marie Dance Company is: "To teach our dancers the discipline and determination that it takes to reach our goals."

Stephanie and I have a story that only fellow pageant sisters will understand: after months of being friends on facebook (because ALL pageant girls in Wisconsin are friends on facebook, regardless of whether or not they've met in real life!), we bumped into each other while preparing to model eveningwear for The Pageant Event in Milwaukee and started chatting casually...only to realize (after about ten minutes) that this was the first time we had actually met face-to-face!  Since that day, she has become one of my closest friends and a precious sister in my walk with Christ!

At the time when we first met, Stephanie had just completed her reign as Miss Southern Wisconsin 2011.  Last year, I celebrated with her as she captured the title of Miss Milwaukee 2012.

Stephanie had a full year ahead of her, serving her community as a role model and an advocate for her platform: The Pink Effect.  Breast Cancer charities and pink ribbons might be all the trend right now, but, for Stephanie, breast cancer is a real and personal, as her own mother is a survivor.  "My focus is not on research, but awareness," she says.  "I've had one too many talks with people who have been diagnosed about insurance, money, and treatment."  She adds that her goal is to raise breast cancer awarness with "Coffee house meetings, declared council days, more talk about mammograms and less talk about the whole 'pink' movement.  Yes, it's great to know that October is breast cancer awarness month, but over 7 million eligible women in the United States aren't even getting their mammograms."  For Stephanie, pageants are a chance to be a voice for a cause that is close to her heart.

Stephanie also represented Milwaukee beautifully at the Miss Wisconsin pageant in June in Oshkosh...

Talent: a tap-dance to "The Devil Went Down to Georgia"

...and, in the midst of it all, she graduated from UW Milwaukee and began a career at the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:

Yet, even in the midst of it all, Stephanie continued to make her dancers a priority, serving not only as a dance teacher but also as a role model and mentor to her students:

This year, she even had the privilege of accompanying her dancers to Disney World for a performance:

To anyone in the Milwaukee area looking for a dance company that will give their daughters an exceptional dance experience, please check out the Stephanie Marie Dance Company on facebook or email stephaniemariedancecompany@gmail.com.  It is my honor to recommend Stephanie as an instructor and a mentor to young dancers!!!

If you would like to join me as a business sponsor to have your business featured in this blog and help me raise awareness of my platform, please consider donating!  Donations from individuals or families are also welcome!!

Where Children Are Waiting: Ukraine

The country of Ukraine spans 603,700 square kilometers in Eastern Europe, partially bordering the Black Sea.  It is described as a flat, fertile, forested plain with few natural boundaries. (1)  Ukraine has been struck with great economic and social hardships as a result of its connection and subsequent separation from the USSR.  Poverty and depression abound, and alcoholism is rampant as a result. (2)

Most of my readers who know me personally have viewed the original video about Anna, the young lady who inspired my platform, followed by her exciting update a few weeks later.  While researching for the video, I read that there are approximately 100,000 orphans living in Ukraine's 450 orphanages, with 100,000 more orphans living on the street.  Because of the lack of space, children cannot live in or receive care from the orphanages after they turn sixteen.  Out of the many "graduated" orphans, it is believed that 60 percent of the girls end up in prostitution and 70 percent of the boys end up in crime.  Fifteen percent of "graduated" orphans commit suicide to escape life on the streets, and only 1 percent graduate college.

While not part of the Hague Convention, Ukraine currently remains open to Americans wanting to adopt (although rumors abound that Russia is pressuring Ukraine to close).  United States citizens must be found eligible by the American government to adopt.  Under Ukrainian law that came into effect April 24, 2008, adoptive parents must be at least 21 year old, and at least 15 years older than the adopted child (but no more than 45 years older).  Only married couples are eligible to adopt, and, while no specific income level is required, adoptive parents are required to submit documentation of their income and financial standing. (3)

Ukrainian law requires children to be registered with the national adoption registry for at least one year and be at least five years old before they are eligible for international adoption.  Exceptions may be made for children with special needs, sibling groups, or relative adoptions. (4)

The duration of Ukraine adoptions from completion of the dossier to travel is approximately 7-12 months.  Some regions of Ukraine require one trip of 4-6 weeks, others require two trips of shorter duration.

Could your child or children be waiting in Ukraine?  To contact multiple adoption agencies placing children from Ukraine with one form, visit Rainbow Kids.

Disclaimer: Information is gathered from various sources, including adoption blogs, government websites, and adoption agencies.  Policies may change in accordance with time of adoption, adoption agencies/ orphanges, and other factors.  It is the responsibility of potential adoptive parents to gather accurate information before and during preparation for adoption.

Please consider donating to my sponsorship fund; I need to raise $200 by Friday to secure my title and continue promoting my platform!


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Why Pageants?

Pageantry is hard to explain.  I have encountered plenty of people who assume that, as a college graduate and missionary, I am the exception to the "norm" in pageantry and all the other girls are comparable to Rachel McAdams character in "Mean Girls".  I'd like to clear up some of those false ideas...

Modern pageantry can trace it's roots back to 1921 when Margaret Gorman was chosen to represent Washington D.C. at the Inter-City Beauties Contest in Atlantic City.  After being awarded first place and the coveted "Golden Mermaid Trophy," Gorman was awarded the title of "Miss America."

Today, national and international pageant systems attract contestants and fans from all over the United States and the rest of the world.  Popular national pageants include Miss America, Miss USA, National American Miss, America's Perfect, and the system I represent, Miss International.  Many of these systems also include teen pageants or "Mrs." pageants for married women.  There are differences in areas of competition, age requirements, business sponsors, and many other factors, but all these systems have common purposes: to honor women for their accomplishments, establish positive role models, and to encourage community involvement and service.

I know this can be hard to believe, especially with the image that media projects onto pageants.  "Reality" tv shows are quick to portray overly-pushy mothers forcing their pre-schooler daughters into degrading beauty contests, implying that the same thing happens backstage at all pageants.  News rarely covers daily occurrences of young women in their crowns and sashes reading to children in hospital beds, fundraising for charities, or setting up community programs, but the few scandals that arise in pageantry are guaranteed months of coverage.

Knowing the negative light that is often shed on pageants, I would like to clear up a few myths based on my own experiences.  Here is what my live, unedited experiences in pageantry have taught me:

Myth: Pageant competitors are pressured to practice unhealthy eating habits, pursue cosmetic surgery, and spend a fortune on useless beauty treatments and pageant supplies

Truth: Yes, there are "beauty contests" out there that award women or children for looking more like Barbie dolls than real people.  However, the most prominent systems in America and in the world are about rewarding accomplishments of women.  Miss International Contestants are all expected to choose a platform to promote during their reign, and also serve as spokeswomen for the National Heart Association.  Pageantry is about showing that a woman is the "entire package"- we are active in our communities, we are positive role models, we are committed to health and physical fitness, and we have the self-confidence needed to pursue dreams and make a difference.  A side affect of physical health, genuine self-confidence, and a heart for helping others is always, without fail, a more beautiful overall appearance.  No, it won't change your bone structure or make your hair shinier, but have you ever met a woman with those assets who wasn't beautiful?  THAT'S what Miss International seeks to recognize and honor!

Myth: Pageant contestants waste thousands of dollars on wardrobe, entry fees, and other expenses.

Truth: Yes, there are costs involved with pageantry, just like there are costs involved in dance or music lessons, playing a sport, traveling, or anything else that we might do for recreation.  However, any successful pageant contestant knows plenty of tricks to save money- we know where to look for reasonably priced evening gowns and accessories, we learn to do our own hair and makeup rather than hiring a professional, and we seek sponsorship from businesses, friends, and family.  As a result, we learn valuable skills in bargain hunting, fundraising, and navigating the complicated business world- skills that serve us well far beyond our experiences in pageantry!

Myth: Pageant contestants throw away all other dreams and goals in the name of pursuing a crown.

Truth: On the contrary, pageantry is about empowering women to achieve their dreams and goals.  Almost every pageant titleholder is either a full-time student or has a career (and no, that full-time career usually isn't modeling!).  Some systems, such as Miss America, may ask state or national titleholders to take a year off of school or scale back to part-time at work in order to fulfill their duties, but those ladies also receive generous scholarships to continue their education or pay off student loans as soon as their reign is over.  Holding a title gives women a chance to leave network and to make their name known, opening doors for many career and professional development opportunities in the future.

Myth: Pageant contestants all say they want "World Peace" but really have no idea what is going on in the world (besides the latest celebrity gossip and fashion trends).

Truth: Pageant contestants are expected to be up-to-date on current events and be heavily involved in serving their communities.  Most pageant systems require contestants to participate in a private interview (which weighs far more heavily on their score than any physical beauty) in which they may be grilled about political issues, current events ranging from local to worldwide, and how they plan to use their crown to make a difference.  They are not judged on having opinions that match those of the judges, but on their sustenance and ability to back up what they believe in with words and actions.

So, despite the media's agenda or the preconceived notions that so many have about pageantry, I hope this will help my readers understand why I have chosen to pursue a crown.  My hope and prayer is that I may be used by God as a modern-day Esther to serve as a role model and to be a voice for those who cannot speak for themselves.


If you would like to sponsor me to compete for Miss International 2013, please donate here!  Please let me know your name or business name so that I can thank you properly and promote your business!

Please "like" my facebook page: Miss Wisconsin International on facebook!

And So Begins Another Journey...

...or, technically, a journey within a journey.

For those who don't know my whole story, I earned my undergraduate degree from UW La Crosse.  The city of La Crosse La Crosse is where I learned Spanish and language teaching methods, where I was launched to Panama, Mexico, and France, and where God worked in my life in many ways.  It is also where I competed in my first pageant.

I wasn't sure what to expect when I entered the Miss La Crosse/Oktoberfest pageant, except a chance to get dressed up and maybe earn some scholarship money.  What I found, though, was the opportunity to begin lifelong friendships, create memories, and learn valuable habits and skills- and I don't just mean walking in high heels!  The intense private pageant interviews taught me to know who I was, what I believed, and make sure I had actions to back up my words.  Preparing for swimwear and eveningwear competitions taught me to develop healthy habits; contrary to popular belief, it's NOT the skinniest girl that wins.  Even small pageant-skills, such as proper posture and expression, continue to serve me today.  I competed in six local level Miss America pageants before aging out.  The highest I ever scored was first runner up, but the actual titles and awards were only a small part of everything I took away from pageantry.

After college, God called me to serve Him overseas in Spain.  In November 2012, I got on a plane to Madrid, and a few days later I began teaching at Evangelical Christian Academy, a small, Christian school for children of missionaries just outside of Madrid.  Arrangements were made for me to rent a room from another teacher, Mark, his wife, Charis, and their three children, ages eight, six, and three.  I learned that their youngest, Ati, had just joined the family in February, when they adopted her from Ethiopia.  What started out as an "Aw, how sweet!" story quickly became heart-shattering as I learned the truth: that there are five million orphans in Ethiopia, and due to the lack of space and sources available, they cannot live in orphanages after they turn fourteen.  Fourteen-year-olds with no parents, no source of income, and no one to take them in, are living on the streets.  Ati had been given a loving family, but most others would not be so fortunate.

And this was just one country.  This tragic reality is a worldwide phenomenon.  As an adoptee myself, I have always believed adoption to be a great "option" for couples who cannot have biological children or for those who would like to "do something special" for a child without a family, but now I knew that adoption was not an option, it's a necessity.

I resolved that I would one day adopt at least one child, maybe more if God provides the means to do so.  However, I didn't want to wait until I was able to adopt to take action.  There is nothing, nothing a child could do to deserve abandonment, poverty, or life without hope for a better future. It was at this same time that a few of my friends back in Wausau made plans to host orphans from Latvia and Ukraine over Christmas.   I followed their blogs and email updates, glad to read that these children where having a chance to be part of a family, even if it was temporary.  One couple, Josh and Susan, had hosted a beautiful young lady from Ukraine, Anna.  They desperately wanted to adopt her, but they did not meet the age requirements for adoption. Time was of the essence as Anna would soon age out of the care system and would have no where to go.

I was hesitant to get involved.  It wasn't that my heart wasn't breaking or that I didn't believe that Anna deserved a family; I was afraid that, if our efforts to find her a home were unsuccessful, I would spend the rest of my life wondering and worrying about her.    But that was no excuse.  As a hobbyist vlogger, I offered to create a short video for Susan, sharing their story and asking people to please consider adding Anna to their family.  I published the video to youtube, and then all I could do was pray.  Three weeks later, Susan emailed me to tell me that a family in another state had seen the video, and had committed to adopting Anna.

I had been able to play a role in bringing an orphan to the family she needed and deserved.  I had no connections, no experience, and I was living in a foreign country, but none of those factors had stopped God from using me.  If He could use me to bring one orphan home, would He use me to do more?  The idea was thrilling to me.

I applied for Miss Wisconsin International because I wanted the chance to use the title as a "megaphone" to bring awareness to this cause.  It was a leap of faith; my return ticket isn't until June 7th, and I didn't know what I could accomplish from the other side of the ocean.  But people who have never heard my name have heard the words "Miss Wisconsin," and people who won't notice a 5' 5 1/2" brunette will notice a crown and a banner, and they will listen to what I have to say.  I sought the blessing of my ministry directors and colleagues in Spain, and they were fully supportive.  Last night, I spoke on skype with the national pageant director, and she officially offered me the title.   I have fallen in love with my students and my work in Spain, and they will remain my priority until I hand in my final grades at the end of the semester.  However, I will always have another cause to fight for, regardless of what country I live in or what profession I am engaged in.  As long as their are children living without families, I will be fighting for them.  I am honored to be able to use the title of Miss Wisconsin International (and, hopefully, Miss International 2013) as a platform for this cause, all for the Glory of God!

Please consider sponsoring me and helping me promote my platform!