2011 Christmas Special for the Pageant Princess or Queen in your life for $59 (+$12 S&H). A $89 value when purchased separately

In the spirit of Christmas and to celebrate the launch of my new 60 minute training DVD, Take The Stage, I am offering the 60 minute training DVD, the Pageant Planner and a set of 12 interview cards for $59 (+$12 S&H) until December 31. Individually, these items would cost $89.

This is an affordable training kit for the pageant princess or queen in your life.

 

The WTP Take The Stage Training DVD

The Winning Through Pageantry Take The Stage™training DVD is a must have training tool for natural beauty pageants. The depth of information shared in this video will further polish your on stage presence.

Remember, the judges cast their final vote when you are on stage in your evening gown. Your overall stage presence and appearance will determine your final placement.

In this 60-minute DVD, you will learn:

• proper posture and alignment,
• foot positioning,
• timing of your turns,
• multiple walking patterns,
• stage presence,
• microphone etiquette,
• Numerous tips as Rhonda demonstrates all of these techniques.

 

The modeling style taught in this video will work for those contestants competing in the following natural pageant systems:

• Miss American Coed (MAC),
• National American Miss (NaMiss),
• Miss America,
• America's Outstanding Teen,
• Miss Teen USA,
• Miss USA,
• Mrs. America,
• Mrs. United States,
• Teen, Miss and Mrs. International,
• America's National Teenager (Antso),
• Any of the numerous systems that follow the standards of a natural pageant.

 

Contestants who are brand new to pageantry or have done a couple pageants in the past; and those who do not have pageant preparation resources close to them will benefit most from this DVD. Even if you feel confident in your modeling skills, the numerous tips shared in this DVD will take your onstage presence to the next level.

Rhonda Shappert, is both an iPEC and ICF certified expert pageant coach. In addition to holding multiple titles herself, her clients have won titles at local, state, national and internationals pageants. Her award winning newsletter is received weekly by thousands internationally. She has helped her clients win local, state, national and international titles.

With over 30 years experience in the pageant industry as a contestant, titleholder, judge, emcee, staff member, coach and mother of daughters who compete, there isn't an area of pageantry she doesn't fully understand.

 

The WTP Pageant Planner

The Winning Through Pageantry Pageant Planner from Holdon contains organizational pages for logging and tracking 100 pageant related events. Each form records Event Details, Contact Info, Event Expenses, and Post-Event Info. There is also an Income Management Section to record payment details.
Now logging & tracking your pageant-related event details is easy!

• High-quality product
• 8.5" x 11"
• Finished coil-bound spine
• Vinyl front and back covers for durability

What's Inside...
Contact Page

• Your contact information
• Important pageant contacts (i.e. - coach, director, salon, etc.)
• Other contact information

Live Performance Forms

• Logging & tracking forms to track up to 100 pageant-related events (i.e. - consultations, media events, autograph signings, etc.)
• Log event requirements (i.e. - crown & banner, opening number wardrobe, script, etc.)
• Record all of your event expenses and mileage for tax purposes
• Post Event area (i.e. - what you wore, who you met, guests, etc.)

Income & Reimbursement Management
Record income & reimbursement details (Pageant/Event Name, Event Date, Payment, etc.)

Pageant Target List
Target Pageants, know special requirements, competition, categories, entry fees, etc.

Pageant Contacts
A section dedicated to Pageant Industry professionals you wish to keep in contact with

Notes Section

• Keep your notes handy and accessible
• Add any thoughts, suggestions or ideas

Calendar Section

• 12-month, day-by-day, fill-in calendar section (non-time sensitive, fill-in as you go)
• 24-month quick-view calendar section

Storage Pockets

• Promo Material Pocket to hold self-promotional material that you can pass around (i.e. - promo postcards, headshots, flyers, etc.)
• Notes Pocket to store any speeches, top-5 question notes, etc.

 

The WTP Interview Card Set

What kind of questions will the judges ask me in interview?
What if I don't have an answer?

The ability to answer questions about you, your family, platform, goals, community and pop culture in a clear way is an important life skill. The more practice you have in conversing with people, the better your speaking skills will become.
Over 1000 contestants from ages 7 to 80 around the world have used these cards and reported back to me that they were confident and prepared for their pageant interview. Many of my clients receive the highest interview scores.
As a contestant and judge, these are real questions that I have asked, been asked, or heard other judges ask in the interview room. I know they are effective and relevant because my clients and pageant family on Facebook have told me several times that they have experienced other pageant coaches and judges using my cards. By the way, I take this as a compliment, not a threat :).
Outstanding features of this 12 card set includes:</ p>

• Over 200 questions covering 12 diverse subjects. Each card has questions dedicated to one topic. For example, there are 56 questions on the "favorites" card.
• The back side is blank so you can jot down your ideas for answers.
• Being the size of a recipe card, they are easy to carry and you can practice anywhere.
  The DVD will arrive separately from the planner and the interview cards. With the holiday mail delivery, please allow up to 14 days for delivery.

$89 $59 (+$12 S&H) until
December 31st or
while supplies last

This week I chose to feature a new pageant system that will be debuting May 3-5, 2013 at the Embassy Suites Hotel in Dublin, Ohio. I interviewed pageant director, Theresa Bucklew about her new system.

Age Divisions based on the age
as of January 1, 2013:

• Princess 3-5 yrs.
• Sweetheart 6-8 yrs.
• Pre-Teen 9-12 yrs.
• Jr. Teen 13-15 yrs.
• Teen 16-18 yrs.
• Miss 19-24 yrs. (Married or unmarried)
• Ms. 25 & Up (Married or unmarried)

Scoring:
http://americanroyalbeauties.com/american-royal-beauties-scoring.html

• Escorted* Formal Eveningwear competition 30%
• Interview with Judges 30%
• Personal Introduction 30%
• Community Service 10%
• Optional competitions will be scored on a range from 1-10
• The contestants will not be re-ranked at the finale unless there is a tie.
• The highest score will win the pageant.

*If you don’t have an escort for the competition please let one of the staff members know during rehearsal and we will provide you with an escort for the competition
*Every contestant will receive a beautiful participation trophy on stage

Tell me about your pageant background and experience?

I have been a heavily involved member of the pageant community for over 22 years now. My daughter competed in her first natural pageant at 18 months. We have been hooked since our very first pageant! Over the years, I have gained experience as a judge, director, and my favorite experience was being a “Pageant Mom” and making my own set of pageant friends!

What made you decide to start your own pageant system?

I love everything pageantry stands for, and truly believe it can change young women and girls’ lives. I am reminded of this every day I see my daughter, and remember what a shy little girl she was growing up. Now, she is outspoken, and a leader in her community. Of course, I would like to take all the credit ? - but I do know a lot of that is a result of what she learned through pageants. I have wanted to start my own system for over five years now. With my youngest son preparing to graduate from high school, I now have the proper time to dedicate to American Royal Beauties. I wanted to make sure my system, its queens, and my contestants got as much time, detail and attention put into them as possible, so everyone involved will leave with a great experience after pageant weekend.

What qualities are you looking for in your queens?

An American Royal Beauties Queen needs be a positive young woman who will excel in academics, be active in their communities through service events, and an excellent future leader of tomorrow. She will carry herself with grace, have positive morals, and overall, be a glamorous girl that others can look to as a role model. Our Queens, throughout their reign will promote our Motto “Pass It On,” which asks our ladies to do a good deed, in turn, inspiring others around them to also do a good deed for another, and continuing to, “Pass it on”. Our Queens will be asked to do at least six parades or community service projects together, and they will be asked to promote American Royal Beauties as much as they can. We do not have “no compete” restriction, so our queens may also compete and hold titles with other pageant systems.

What is your long term vision for your pageant system?

I hope that girls will enjoy my system, and long term, hope to witness my efforts unfold into a national pageant.

What sets your pageant apart from the other pageants out there?

We are looking to build not only individual skills for these girls to use the rest of their lives, but also are looking to create lasting friendships! We hope that by focusing a little more on community involvement, we can get youth interested in giving back to the communities or organizations that mean something to them. We also hope to bring class and glamour back into style. American Royal Beauties want our girls to feel as beautiful on the inside as they all are on the outside.

Is your first pageant just for Ohio residents, or can contestants from other states compete?

Our first pageant will be for Ohio residents only. Contestants who live out of state, but have proof on an Ohio residence may also compete.

What do you want people to know about you or the pageant system?

We are working hard to make sure the American Royal Beauties Pageant will be a fun and exciting experience for all of our girls! We are offering more optional competitions, as well as keeping the entry fee and other costs as low as possible! Pageant weekend will take place at the beautiful Embassy Suites Hotel in Dublin, Ohio, that has suites for everyone discounted. Everyone staying at the hotel will get a full service breakfast every morning, and cocktails and hors d'oeuvres every evening. I am allowing everyone to make payments up until three weeks before pageant weekend. Our official American Royal Beauties’ crowns are very distinct, and our sashes are stylish silver, accented with hot pink trim.

Vendors will be present in the atrium during pageant weekend also. All of the vendors will be affiliated with pageantry. Our first pageant will be held in 2013! Giving our contestants plenty of time to prepare, get involved in the communities, gather potential sponsors to compete, and will also allow us more time to come up with even more exciting events to hold during or around pageant weekend! We hope to see you on our stage May 3-5, 2013!

http://americanroyalbeauties.com

Rhonda Shappert is an expert pageant coach, an iPEC Certified Professional Coach, an Energy Leadership Index Master Practitioner, and an Associate Certified Coach (ACC) with the International Coach Federation (ICF).

She created Winning Through Pageantry® to partner with pageant contestants and their support people to provide complete pageant preparation, achieve winning results in life through pageantry, and to Succeed From The Inside Out®.
She has over 30 years experience in the pageantry world as a contestant, judge, emcee, staff member, mother of daughters who compete, Mrs. Ohio America 2005, and has held multiple titles at the local, state and national levels.

Rhonda graduated Cum Laude with a Bachelors degree in Musical Theater from The Ohio State University and has performed on stage in 15 countries on the Asian, European and American continents. This mother of three home educates their children and has been married 22 years to her husband Stephen, is the former mayor of her community, and serves on the Board of Trustees for the Ohio Virtual Academy. She and her husband perform original contemporary Christian music. For more information on Rhonda, visit www.WinningThroughPageantry.com.

The pageant contestants I have coached know what sets them apart from the others. They are thoroughly prepared, and experience less drama in their lives.

Coaching isn’t a hobby of mine or something I do on the side. While being a full time Certified Professional Coach and an Energy Leadership Index Master Practitioner through iPEC (Institute for Professional Excellence in Coaching), I am also a member of the International Coaching Federation. When you combine my professional coaching certifications, my decades of extensive experience in all areas of pageantry, and the unique process of how my clients and I work together, you have a winning combination that’s different from other pageant coaches.

 

Some hairstylists, makeup artists, personal trainers, wardrobe stylists, modeling/talent instructors, and photographers call themselves pageant coaches when in reality they’re consultants. Consultants give answers to specific external needs. The problem is their advice is usually one dimensional and isn’t always integrated with the other areas of your pageant preparation. Plus, if the person is inexperienced within the pageant world, their expertise isn’t going to benefit you to the fullest extent.

 

Usually,with consultants there’s very little accountability or follow up to make sure you stay on track. Plus few are Professional Coaches who are skilled at addressing both the physical and mental obstacles that come up when preparing for a pageant (and we all know that most of the drama within pageantry is caused by internal issues, not external).

 

I’m a unique blend of a consultant and Professional Coach. My expertise within pageantry allows me to address all the external needs, however, unlike the traditional consultant I integrate all pieces of the pageant puzzle. As a Certified Life Coach, I partner with you to create a plan based on your agenda that will help you grow internally and live the life you want. I help you work through the internal and external obstacles, and hold you accountable to what you say you’re going to do.

 

I absolutely love what I do and have a passion for coaching, teaching and learning. I started teaching dance lessons at age 14 and have continued throughout my life. Family is central to me, and especially the relationship between mothers and daughters. I’ve home educated my three daughters for the past 12 years. This has been a blessing in more than one way to our family. No two people learn in the exact same way. I have developed my ability to isolate a person’s learning style and speak their language so the information makes sense to them. By knowing how to take big principals and break them down into easy understandable parts, both children and adults can relate to me.

 

Finally, what sets me apart from others is how I view pageantry and winning. Pageants are a fun tool that women can use to develop themselves and strengthen their relationships. My definition of winning doesn’t refer to just the crown. If you’re looking to achieve winning results in your life THROUGH pageantry, then you’ve found the right expert pageant coach. Welcome to Winning Through Pageantry®.

Receive weekly pageant tips directly to your email. Sign up for my free award winning newsletter. Just click the GET YOUR FREE REPORT button at the top of this page. Then fill out your name and email address in the boxes.

Rhonda Shappert is an expert pageant coach, an iPEC Certified Professional Coach, an Energy Leadership Index Master Practitioner, and a member of the International Coach Federation. She created Winning Through Pageantry® to partner with pageant contestants and their support people to provide complete pageant preparation, achieve winning results in life through pageantry, and to Succeed From The Inside Out®. She has over 30 years experience in the pageantry world as a contestant, judge, emcee, staff member, mother of daughters who compete, Mrs. Ohio America 2005, and has held multiple titles at the local, state and national levels.
Rhonda graduated Cum Laude with a Bachelors degree in Musical Theater from The Ohio State University and has performed on stage in 15 countries on the Asian, European and American continents. This mother of three home educates their children and has been married 21 years to her husband Stephen, is the former mayor of her community, and serves on the Board of Trustees for the Ohio Virtual Academy. She and her husband perform original contemporary Christian music. Their music CD entitled Cana is available through  www.cdbaby.com/cd/shappert or on her website. For more information on Rhonda, visit  www.WinningThroughPageantry.com .

At age 5, my mom brought home a full length royal blue, crushed velvet dress she had borrowed from my cousin. To complete the outfit, she also had long white gloves, white patent leather shoes and a beautiful pearl headband. The ensemble was now fit for a princess. She announced that I was going to be in the local Snow Queen contest. I had no idea what that meant, but I loved the outfit and I was very excited to get all dressed up.

 

Besides the thrill of being on stage under the bright lights, walking down the long runway, the laughter/cheering of the audience, and receiving a brand new silver dollar from gigantic snowmen (OK, the businessmen who dressed as snowmen were a bit scary at the time), what I remember most about the evening was the special time I had with my family, feeling good about who I was, and most definitely wanting to do it again! Yes, I was hooked and that was the beginning of a lifetime of pageantry.

 

As a teen, I won four local and state titles, and enjoyed every aspect of pageantry. For me, each pageant was a time for self discovery, family bonding and, oh, so much fun. Most of my fondest memories and closest relationships stem from my years in pageantry.

 

After the birth of my third daughter, I discovered the world of pageantry for married women. Nothing will motivate a woman faster to shed that baby fat than having to wear a bathing suit in front of an audience. With the exceptions of my first and last pageants, of the eleven I participated in, I always placed in the top five. I was honored to receive the state title of Mrs. Ohio America 2005 (www.MrsOhioAmerica2005.com), and the national title of Ms. American Women Over 30.

 

During this decade of my life, I also became an experienced judge; a polished emcee/public speaker; and a pageant staff member. Hoping to help others receive the same joys and life skills that I developed when working with my pageant coach, I started pageant coaching on the side.

This whole time, my daughters observed what I did, participated in my public appearances, and grew up. At ages 11, 9 and 7, they expressed an interest in trying pageants for themselves. They started as festival queens and moved up to Cinderella state titleholders. At first it felt odd to be the mother of pageant participants, realizing the circle of life had begun. But it was a natural progression as our family continued our journey with pageantry in a style that focused on balance, personal development, quality family time and service to others.

My transition from hobby status into professional pageant coaching began when my daughters and I attended an international pageant in Las Vegas. Although I had seen negative pageant behavior on TV shows, it was the first time I had personally witnessed the devastating effects a demanding mother could have on her daughter’s self esteem and self worth. I was in absolute shock over what I was seeing and hearing. I didn’t personally know that mother/daughter team; however, I did know there was going to be long lasting consequences not only to that little 8 year old girl’s self image, but to their relationship as well.

 

When I came back, I started exploring how I could use my decades of deep expertise of the industry to help contestants experience the fullness of pageantry and strengthen their relationships in life. With that, I created Winning Through Pageantry- Succeed From the Inside Out^®.

If you would like to use pageantry as a fun tool for self discovery, I encourage you to participate in one of my bootcamps, teleclasses or private coaching sessions.

CLICK TO REGISTER

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Your ability to see beyond the pageant night will determine how fulfilling your pageant experience will be. If you only want a crown, then I would suggest taking the money you’re going to spend on your pageant shoes alone, and buy the prettiest crown you can find online. You’re investment of time and money preparing for the pageant will far exceed the price tag of a crown. However, if you’re looking at pageantry as a vehicle to drive you to other places in your life, then you’re in the right place.

 

Rhonda Shappert is an expert pageant coach, an iPEC Certified Professional Coach, an Energy Leadership Index Master Practitioner, and a member of the International Coach Federation. She created Winning Through Pageantry® to partner with pageant contestants and their support people to provide complete pageant preparation, achieve winning results in life through pageantry, and to Succeed From The Inside Out®. She has over 30 years experience in the pageantry world as a contestant, judge, emcee, staff member, mother of daughters who compete, Mrs. Ohio America 2005, and has held multiple titles at the local, state and national levels.

Rhonda graduated Cum Laude with a Bachelors degree in Musical Theater from The Ohio State University and has performed on stage in 15 countries on the Asian, European and American continents. This mother of three home educates their children and has been married 21 years to her husband Stephen, is the former mayor of her community, and serves on the Board of Trustees for the Ohio Virtual Academy. She and her husband perform original contemporary Christian music. Their music CD entitled Cana is available through  www.cdbaby.com/cd/shappert or on her website. For more information on Rhonda, visit  www.WinningThroughPageantry.com .

Krista Yovanno, Mrs. Ohio America 2004 and co-director of Mrs. Ohio America; Kimberly Miller, Mrs. Ohio America 2010; Michelle Moore, Mrs. Ohio America 2002 and co-director of Mrs. Ohio America, and Rhonda Shappert, Mrs. Ohio America 2005 and owner of Winning Through Pageantry®.

 

So you‘ve decided to enter a pageant. What are pageant directors expecting from you?

 
Here is the short list of what directors expect from contestants:

• Behavior and appearance will be professional and respectful at all times.That includes rehearsals, parties, and down time when you are walking around the hotel or event area.

• All deadlines will be met without constant reminders from them. This includes financial payments, paperwork, ad pages, ticket orders and all other logistics they inform you of.

• Contestants will be on time for all activities. FYI, on time means arriving 15 minutes before the scheduled time.

• Take personal responsibility for your own pageant preparation. The director’s main focus is to create a wonderful pageant experience for ALL contestants and share the information equally among everyone. Your questions about the competition should be answered by the director either in the paperwork they’ve produced, through group orientations, or a quick email or phone call from you. They’re not your coach. Some directors will coach their state titleholders to get them ready for nationals; but that is an entirely different topic. Be respectful of their boundaries and time.

• Titleholders are expected to follow through on their obligations. If you’re unclear about what is expected of you as the queen (i.e.: rules, appearances, time commitment, further competitions and financial commitments) ask before you agree to compete in the pageant.

A pageant director is no different than the owner of a traditional business.They’re responsible for all the logistics of finding a facility for the pageant; securing judges for the event; putting together sponsors and prizes for the contestants and queens; advertising; creating all rules, paperwork, and judging criteria; hiring a staff to help run the event; arranging for entertainment and an emcee; and marketing the pageant to find contestants. WOW! That’s a lot.

The more you understand and appreciate all that directors do to create this opportunity for you, the more tolerant and patient you’ll be when things don’t logistically flow as smoothly as they could. Directors put out thousands of dollars in advance and countless hours into the pageant they’re producing. They need a certain number of contestants to financial break even, and to make a profit. Yes, making a profit is important for the pageant’s continuation.

The director is your primary source of information regarding their pageant system. It’s appropriate to ask general questions about the style of clothing worn for this pageant, the schedule, financial obligations and qualities that the pageant seeks in their titleholders. Specific questions like: is this the most flattering dress on me, what should I do with my hair, and is this a good answer if the judges ask me this question are all questions that a pageant coach, or similar professional can help you with. Not the director. I would enjoy working with you if you feel you’re ready to take your pageant preparation to the next level.

What directors are expecting and wanting are ladies that are professional, respectable, accountable and responsible to represent not only themselves with pride, but also the pageant system in which they are a titleholder.

Receive weekly pageant tips directly to your email. Sign up for my free award winning newsletter. Just click the GET YOUR FREE REPORT button at the top of this page. Then fill out your name and email address in the boxes.

Being professional, respectable, accountable and responsible are qualities that carry over into all areas of your life. I’m a firm believer that how we handle the small things in our lives is how we handle all things. Be a person of your word and always remember, your actions speak so loud people can’t hear what you’re saying.

Rhonda Shappert is an expert pageant coach, an iPEC Certified Professional Coach, an Energy Leadership Index Master Practitioner, and a member of the International Coach Federation. She created Winning Through Pageantry® to partner with pageant contestants and their support people to provide complete pageant preparation, achieve winning results in life through pageantry, and to Succeed From The Inside Out®. She has over 30 years experience in the pageantry world as a contestant, judge, emcee, staff member, mother of daughters who compete, Mrs. Ohio America 2005, and has held multiple titles at the local, state and national levels.

Rhonda graduated Cum Laude with a Bachelors degree in Musical Theater from The Ohio State University and has performed on stage in 15 countries on the Asian, European and American continents. This mother of three home educates their children and has been married 21 years to her husband Stephen, is the former mayor of her community, and serves on the Board of Trustees for the Ohio Virtual Academy. She and her husband perform original contemporary Christian music. Their music CD entitled Cana is available through www.cdbaby.com/cd/shappert or on her website. For more information on Rhonda, visit  www.WinningThroughPageantry.com .

As a pageant coach, I’m frequently asked these questions:

• How many contestants are you coaching in this pageant?
• How many of your clients have won?
• Are your daughters competing in this pageant?
• Isn’t that a conflict of interest?

 

I love it when people ask about my coaching style because I am different from most of the people who call themselves pageant coaches.

 

What the person really wants to know is how I am going to give them my very best and help them to become a winner. Everyone wants to feel special and have complete attention given to their needs. I know I felt that way when I was competing and looking for a pageant coach.

What makes me different and sets me apart from the other pageant coaches is that my focus is totally on YOU.

Y -Your Why.

When we work together, my whole focus is to help you define your meaning of winning, identify your needs, set and reach your goals, and clarify your purpose for doing the pageant so you get the most from your experience.

This is your growth process and journey, not mine. You’re responsible for the action you take and the results you receive. It’s true, I do get very excited and happy when I see contestants grow, accomplish their dreams and finish what they start; but a contestant doesn’t win solely because they work with me or any other coach. Winning happenings when the sum of all the parts come together at the right time. It takes many people and ,sometimes a lot of time, for the formula to finally complete itself. But you don’t need to walk away with the crown at the end of the night to be a winner.

Because I’m a professional certified life coach through iPEC and member of the International Coaching Federation, I follow the ICF Standards of Ethical Conduct. The ICF Code of Ethics is very specific about privacy, confidentiality and conflicts of interest. None of my clients ever have to worry about me sharing their information with anyone from our coaching sessions.

O - Outcome.

I don’t play favorites, have a hidden agenda, or have a vested interest in the outcome of any pageant. In an honest pageant, no one person has the control of the outcome of the pageant. There are no guarantees.

Because my sole focus is on providing professional coaching that meets the needs of each individual client and is tailor made for their personal development, I can remain objective throughout the coaching process. Coaching is my full-time career. It isn’t a hobby or something I do on the side. It is what I am and I continue to grow and strengthen my skills every day.

My clients share with me what they want, we create a plan, and my objective is to partner with them to keep them on track. That is the only outcome I’m focused on. If in the process, they win the title too, woo hoo! But that’s the frosting, not the cake.

U - Unique.

After working together, you’ll realize what makes you unique and special. You’ll no longer feel compelled to compare yourself to others because you’ll be confident, appreciate and know who you are.

I don’t create cookie cutter queens or have a “one mold that fits all” mentality. It doesn’t matter to me if all my clients are in the same age division in the same pageant, or spread out. When I’m working with someone, I meet them where they are and all my energy is focused on the unique individual that is before me.

So here are the answers to the questions I posed at the beginning.

• How many contestants are you coaching in this pageant? Several.

• How many of your clients have won? All of them win. If you’re asking about titleholders, I have helped many, many girls and ladies reach this goal in all major pageant systems. Some are featured on my website. Again, I don’t keep track of this number, because it’s not about me, it’s about them.

• Are your daughters competing in this pageant? The odds are, no. My girls don’t compete that often and they’re treated no differently than any of my other clients. But if they were in the same pageant, I would let my clients know.

• Isn’t that a conflict of interest? No. The only time I feel I would have a conflict of interest is if I were judging a pageant, and I found out one of my clients was competing. At that point, I would let the director know and either withdraw from the panel, or have my scores dropped for that contestant.

Receive weekly pageant tips directly to your email. Sign up for my free award winning newsletter. Just click the GET YOUR FREE REPORT button at the top of this page. Then fill out your name and email address in the boxes.

Clients that work with me will learn about interview, hair, makeup, clothing selection, and modeling. But most importantly, the personal development and life coaching they’ll receive will benefit them in all areas of life. Their relationships will be stronger, their communication skills articulate, and their life purpose clearer. And that’s what I mean by “Beyond The Pageant”. Visit my website to see how you can partner with me to win in life through pageantry.

www.WinningThroughPageantry.com

 

Rhonda Shappert is an expert pageant coach and an iPEC certified personal development life coach. She created Winning Through Pageantry™, to partner with pageant contestants and their support people to provide complete pageant preparation and achieve winning results in life through pageantry. She has over 30 years experience in the pageantry world, was Mrs.Ohio America 2005, and has held multiple titles at the local, state and national levels.

Rhonda graduated Cum Laude with a Bachelors degree in Musical Theater from The Ohio State University and has performed on stage in 15 countries on the Asian, European and American continents. This mother of three home educates their children and has been married 21 years to her husband Stephen, is the former mayor of her community, and serves on the Board of Trustees for the Ohio Virtual Academy. She and her husband perform original contemporary Christian music. Their music CD entitled Cana is available through www.cdbaby.com/cd/shappert or on her website. For more information on Rhonda, visit www.WinningThroughPageantry.com.

• Do I need a pageant coach?

• What can a pageant coach do for me?

• When is the best time for me to start working with a pageant coach?

• How do I find and choose a pageant coach?

Had I known the answers to these four questions before I entered my first professional beauty pageant, I would have saved precious time and money. Because I had been experiencing all the success I wanted in local and festival pageants, imagine the shock I received when I made the jump into the big time pageant scene using only the skills I had developed on my own for the lower levels of pageantry. It’s a pretty hard pill to swallow going from winning every pageant you enter to not making the top ten.

I vividly remember the numb feeling I had walking off the stage after the top ten had been announced and I wasn’t one of them. What did I do wrong? What could I have changed? I did everything I knew right. It didn’t make sense to me. Moments after the pageant, I received valuable insight that helped answer the questions that were running through my mind.

My roommate won the title that year. When I congratulated her, she hugged me and told me I needed to work with her pageant coach for next year’s pageant. Pageant coach? What on earth is a pageant coach? No one had told me there were people who helped get you ready for a pageant. Why would I even need someone like that anyway, after all, it’s a pageant. How hard could it be?

Well, apparently I was missing some information because there I stood, having spent all this money and didn’t even make the first cut after I had already won four titles before this pageant. A month after that pageant, I started working with Willa, my pageant coach. For me, it was the key that unlocked the door to all the opportunities and benefits possible in pageantry. 

To answer do I need a pageant coach, I would ask, are you getting the results you want?

If you’re completely happy with the results and experience you’re having in pageantry, no you don’t need help. But if you’re not getting what you want from the process, then a qualified professional may be able to help you reach your goals. Sometimes tweaking just one or two things can have dramatic results. Don’t get hung up on the label “pageant coach”. Everyone has help and support from people to learn skills that will help them succeed. You just need to figure out what you want and how to find the right people to help you.

 

What can a pageant coach do for me?

A great pageant coach can partner with you to help clarify the results you want, identify what makes you unique, create and implement detailed steps on how to reach your goals, hold you accountable to your action plan, help you break through blocks that are standing in your way, and support you in an objective, nonjudgmental way that brings out your best qualities. The result is a pageant experience that is less stressful, more enjoyable and you walk away from the event with no regrets. Areas that a coach can help you refine are wardrobe selection, hair, makeup, walking, posing, paperwork prep, onstage introductions, interview, budgeting, planning, checklists, mental preparation and more.

At this point, I need to share a very important piece of information with you. Everyone has an opinion and all kinds of advice on what you “should “do. Some people will offer it even when they’re not asked. Be selective about whom to listen to. Ultimately, the only opinion that matters is yours. After talking and working with different people, you need to trust your inner feelings and do what is best for you. If you allow yourself to be talked into wearing, saying or doing something that doesn’t feel right to you, you won’t feel confident and that will be evident to everyone.

When is the best time to start working with a pageant coach?

Ideally, six months to a year before your first pageant. After that, three to six months is a good rule of thumb. Why? It may take you a year to raise the money necessary to do the pageant. Plus, certain skills take longer to develop. Great communication and interview skills cannot be mastered a few days before the pageant. The same thing goes for learning how to walk and pose in 4” heels. If there is swimsuit competition, time is on your side in getting fit. Simply put, transforming your body and mind takes time.

How do I find and choose a pageant coach?

You can find pageant coaches through referrals or on the internet. There are many people who call themselves pageant coaches so take your time to ask questions and do your research. Some specialize in just hair, makeup and wardrobe while others are runway modeling experts. Talk with them. Find out how diversified their abilities and experiences are within the pageant world. Trust your feelings and ask yourself if they are a good fit for what you want.

How much time or help each person needs is different. Typically, children up to the age of 10 or so will spend most of their time learning how to walk, speak and model. Although interview time is kept to a minimum, the foundation is being laid at this age. Using proper and respectful language should be encouraged by the parents in the child’s day to day life.

Feeling completely safe and comfortable at all times with your coach is a necessity. The secret is in finding the right fit.

 

Beyond The Pageant

One of my favorite parts of pageantry was working with my coach. The self discovery and personal growth I experienced in getting ready for the pageant was exhilarating. I was in my best physical shape, intellectually stimulated and spiritually aware of my inner purpose. I was not dependent on my coach or her “advice”. As a matter of fact, she never gave me advice. Instead, it was a partnership in which I felt safe to explore and discover what truly made me special and different from everyone else. That was my experience, and that is the environment I have created as well for those I choose to work with. The pageant is just the beginning, not the end, of the journey.

I received my life coach training through iPEC because I wanted to be able to coach people in a way that would enable them to have lasting results in their lives long after the pageant. After all, to discover who we are and how we can apply our talents to every aspect of our life is a wonderful blessing.

About Rhonda

Rhonda Shappert is a pageant expert, personal development life coach, and owner of Winning Through Pageantry™, a business she created that not only helps her clients achieve winning results in pageants, but helps them Succeed From The Inside Out™ in their lives. In the pageant world she has held multiple local, state and national titles. Rhonda graduated Cum Laude with a Bachelors degree in Musical Theater from The Ohio State University and has performed on stage in 15 countries on the Asian, European and American continents. This mother of three who has been married 20 years to her husband Stephen, home educates their children, is the former mayor of her community, and is on the Board of Trustees for the Ohio Virtual Academy. She and her husband perform original contemporary Christian music. Their music CD entitled Cana is available through www.cdbaby.com/cd/shappert or on her website. For more information on Rhonda, visit www.WinningThroughPageantry.com.

 

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