New local pageant seminar scheduled

Published 10:27 am Monday, June 22, 2015

Ever wondered what it takes to head up a Miss Mississippi preliminary pageant? 

The New Local Pageant Seminar will be held in Room 1 at the Vicksburg Convention Center Saturday at 9 a.m. State Field Director and Miss Mississippi’s Outstanding Teen Director Winky Freeman will lead the seminar.

“It’s going to be a seminar for people who are interested in becoming directors anywhere in the state,” he said. “We’ll go over what they do, what their responsibilities are and what’s expected of them in order to have a local franchise.”

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Freeman said some local directors would be in attendance to help with the presentation, adding their personal experiences will be especially useful when fielding questions from participants.

“We’re just going to give some insights,” he said. “The goal is to promote the pageant, and it takes more directors and more locals to do that.”

Being a local pageant director is a rewarding experience, said Tammy Wells, local director for North Central Mississippi, Delta Blues, Pride of the South, and Belle of the Bayou.

“This year I have four young girls in the Miss, and I had seven young ladies in the teen a few weeks ago,” she said. “I’ve been doing it going on 16 years now. It just gets in your blood.”

Wells said she first got involved when she helped her now husband with a local pageant years ago.

“It is competition, but it’s good competition,” she said. “It helps with scholarships. I’ve seen girls go off to college and not have to pay any money.”

Wells said she and her husband don’t have any children of their own, but she has her pageant girls.

“They become your daughters and your children,” she said. “I’ve done wedding flowers and helped them pick flowers and pick out a wedding cake.”

People will make fun of pageantry at times, but it’s because they don’t understand all of the benefits, Wells said.

“I believe in the system,” she said. “I’ve seen girls who started out and they were very shy — couldn’t speak in front of a crowd or perform a talent — to winning local pageants and placing at Miss Mississippi.”

Not everyone who comes to Miss Mississippi will win, Wells said.

“They’ve all improved different skills and they’ve all gained something from being here,” she said. “There are so many doors that have been opened these girls.”

Wells said she has had a wonderful experience being involved in the pageants through her position as a local director.

“Once it gets in your blood, it’s there. It’s there forever,” she said. “You’re just so proud to know you’ve helped your girl and you’ve changed their life.”

Preregistration is not necessary, but those interested may contact the pageant office at 601-638-6746 for more information.