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| Blair Wortsmith |
Our Ohio International Pageant is a part of a larger pageant system. Women from all over the world compete in different International Pageants. Trying to figure out our system and what makes it different from other pageants can get confusing. Blair Wortsmith, the current Miss Teen International, is here to help explain what it means to be part of the International Pageant system and why it could be for you too.
Enjoy!
Gerri, Executive Director- Ohio International Pageant
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| Ohio International Pageant Information |
What makes the International Pageants unique?
I am Blair Wortsmith, the reigning Miss Teen International 2014. I have the incredible opportunity to represent the International Pageants as the teen titleholder this year, and it truly has been a dream come true! There are so many things that make this system special and unique.
The most important feature of our system is definitely the platform of the contestants and the interview phase of competition. Each contestant has the opportunity to pick a cause and organization that she cares about to promote for as she competes. I work with the NFL and National Dairy Council’s Fuel Up to Play 60 organization to spread awareness of the childhood obesity epidemic and to encourage children to lead healthier lifestyles. The platform is typically something the contestant has a personal connection to or feels is a problem in today’s society. 40% of the contestants’ overall score comes from the interview portion which is primarily about the platform. Political and religious questions are not asked. The women of the Miss, Teen, and Mrs. International pageants are some of the most dedicated and passionate women I have seen! The contestants in our system are touching lives and making positive changes on a daily basis!
We call it the “International Pageant Family” for a reason. The sisterhood is undeniable, and I have made some of the sweetest friends through my time in the system. The girls in this pageant are so genuine and kindhearted. Int’l Pageant titleholders are not competing against each other; they're competing with each other. The only person any contestant can compete with is herself. It meant the world to me that I had the support of my fellow contestants when I was crowned the titleholder. I promise you will make some of your best friends through this pageant system!
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| Clay Spann Photo Example |
The sponsors of the International Pageants are amazing! I highly recommend utilizing the team that is so knowledgeable of our system for state/country pageant preparation as well as for the International competition. Joey Rutherford with The Competitive Image can help you find your dream wardrobe and Clay Spann takes the most breathtaking photos I have ever seen! Thomas and Drew Dunn with Thomas Dunn Studios are a perfect choice for your hair/makeup needs at the International Pageants. Suzy Boots is the best of the best for interview prep leading up to the pageant. Chelsea Cooley and A.T. Dunn with Toned to Win are a great choice for both fitness training and walking practice. Susan Botek with Bow Tech Productions produces some phenomenal paperwork for contestants. This team of sponsors is qualified, generous, and so sweet!
One of my favorite aspects of the International Pageant system is the scoring system. There are not any ranking systems; the contestant that scores the most points wins the pageant. This keeps the pageant fair and is a great reflection of the integrity of the system.
The opportunity for at large contestants as well as returning contestants is a unique aspect of our pageant. Some states and countries do not have a pageant established with a director, but this doesn't keep the area from having a representative. The International Pageant staff members are also big believers in second chances, and because of this contestants can return to the International stage multiple times for a shot at the crown. Both Mrs. International 2014, Maggi Thorne, and Miss International 2014, Samantha Riddle, came as returning at large contestants.
The alliance with the Go Red for Women movement is another amazing aspect of our system. Heart Disease is the #1 killer of women in the United States. The American Heart Association has developed GRFW to help decrease the rates by encouraging women to lead healthy, smoke-free lives. Each participant in the Int’l Pageants is encouraged to connect with her local AHA along with promoting her personal platform. Local Heart Associations across the nation host events throughout the year that titleholders can become involved in like Heart Walks and luncheons.
Social media is a very important part of our system as well! I strongly recommend starting a personal blog to document your appearances so people can follow your pageant journey. It is also great practice because the International titleholders write blogs each week! I also think it is important to share photos of your appearances on social networking sites so people can see how amazing Int’l Pageant titleholders are!
You can follow the journeys of Miss, Teen, and Mrs. International at: http://theinternationalpageants.blogspot.com
Instagram and Twitter @intlpageants
Facebook at Mrs., Miss, and Miss Teen International Pageants.
I am also on Instagram @missteenintl2014, Twitter @missteenintl14, on Facebook at Miss Teen International 2014 Blair Wortsmith, and my personal blog can be found at https://blairwortsmith.wordpress.com.
I am so excited to see who will be representing Ohio at the pageant this summer. The International Pageants are not like any other, and it is such an honor being a part of it!
If you believe in something, believe in it all the way!
