Six Things I Wish I Knew Before Starting Pageantry

 By Isabella Williams 

1. The Sisterhood Is Real
   Forget the stereotypes! In a world of glitz, judges, fees, and unspoken rules, your fellow contestants can become your greatest allies. Sure, it’s easy to think of everyone as competition, but the truth is, only one person will take home the crown. The experience is about so much more than winning—it's about growing as a person. You’ll walk away with gifts like new friends, improved communication skills, marketing know-how, and a network of inspiring people.

2. Social Media is Your Secret Weapon
   Think of your social media as your personal billboard! What do you want the world to know about you? Use it to showcase your passions, your journey, and your sparkle. It’s like having an extra stage to shine on—and the best part? It’s all about YOU!

3. Comfortable Shoes Can Be a Game-Changer
   No matter how stunning your walk is, the wrong pair of shoes can ruin it. Blisters or painful heels will make it obvious you’re uncomfortable on stage. Invest in a pair of killer but comfy heels, and your body language will scream confidence and ease. Trust me, comfort wins crowns!

4. Fundraising is Your Friend
   If you need to raise money for your pageant journey or a cause, social media is your best ally. Offer local businesses a donation tax slip and a shoutout on your social platforms—it’s a win-win! And when it comes to saving money, learn to do your own hair and makeup. Mastering these skills not only saves cash but ensures you look flawless on your own terms.

5. Competition Week = No Sleep Club
   Prepare yourself for sleepless nights! The adrenaline, excitement, and nerves are a natural part of the experience. Start building a self-care routine beforehand to manage the chaos. Rest when you can, hydrate, and find ways to calm your mind so you’re ready to shine under the spotlight.

6. Bring Your Authentic Self
   Judges aren’t just looking for perfection—they’re looking for personality! Don’t be afraid to let your unique quirks and charisma shine through. Whether it’s in your interviews, your walk, or your social media, authenticity is what makes you unforgettable. The crown may sparkle, but it’s your real self that truly shines!

------------------------------------------

Isabella Williams is the current Miss Lake Champlain (Vermont). You can find her on her title's Instagram and/or her personal Instagram. She is the author of several books, and the illustrator of the recent release The Fire Within You.

To learn more about Isabella, feel free to check out her Interview with Section 36.

I Hereby Resolve...

Typically, the end of the year is a time for people to reflect on their life, and to make any changes they see the need for. Why do it for the first of the year? No particular reason. Although, I suppose, a July 2 Resolution doesn’t have the same ring to it. A New Year’s Resolution also has the added benefit of only occurring once a year. If you make a New Month Resolution, and fail after three days…you have some obligation to make the same resolution the next month. If you make a resolution on January 1, but flop by January 2, you can wait an entire year before you have to try and make yourself a better person. That’s a handy feature. People also find it nicer to write these resolutions down. Anything written down automatically has more weight. After all, if you take the time to type it out and share it with others, it must be important. Plus, anyone why knows about your resolution will obviously shun you if you don’t stick to it. If you make a resolution in silence, it’s pretty easy to ignore it. Of course, that presumes that anyone is listening, or cares enough to hold you to it. That’s probably not the case here. But, what else am I going to write about on January 1st? 

My main resolution really requires you to all help along. I really want to be able to share more guest blogs from all of you in 2025. While the writing and sending part depends on you, there are some things I can do to help you along with that.

I want to work on making this a place where you're more likely to want to write a blog for. Starting with viewership. I want to make a dedicated effort to make sure as many eyes as possible are on your posts when you write them. Whether that's with promotion or persistence, I need to get moving. The Instagram account passing 2000 followers is a result of similar efforts on that front. I'd like to do similar things here.

I also want to be more visible elsewhere in the titleholder landscape. Whether that's following and commenting on social media, or reading and commenting on websites and blogs, or whatever else it may be. Part of that is, simply, those things are worthy of my support. The other part is just making Section 36 Forevers more of a community that you'll love being a part of. Feel free to offer suggestions on that front and ways I can support you.

So, there we go. Things I want to try and do in the coming year. If you care, feel free to try and keep me honest. Mocking comments if I’m going astray are encouraged. Or, help me out by contributing to the resolutions. Or both. Or, ignore it all completely. Your call.

Happy New Year Everyone!