Grambling State University’s Miss Cover Girl, Ciara Wilson, held a helpful and informative pageant workshop on Saturday.
Her mother, Victoria Blocker, was in attendance. Blocker is the founder of Pageant Chic, a company designed to help girls who are interested in participating in pageants or need coaching.
“It’s your time to shine,” said Blocker as she opened. After being introduced to a crowd of eager young women by her daughter, Blocker began to fill them in on many pageant secrets that can help you succeed.
Wilson has competed in many pageants and is sure the techniques she’s been taught can help.
Blocker touched on many subjects – mainly how to answer interview questions, platforms and how to get sponsorships.
“When you walk into the room, you must be able to interact and make eye contact,” Blocker said. “Also, when on stage and you’re asked a question, don’t be nervous – remember its fun so you can calm down and answer correctly.”
Before allowing the other speaker the floor, Blocker did a demonstration with the crowd where she picked five girls and gave them each a different question. This exercise was done to show the girls how to handle the pressures of on-stage questions.
“Incorporate your personality on stage and interview question, the judges really like that” said Wilson, adding to what her mother was saying,
Volunteer No. 2, Noelle Barnes, a sophomore education major from California was asked, “What was the best thing that has ever happened to you?”
“Coming to college so young,” said Barnes. “It motivated me to want more and allowed me to grow faster. I speak better, I act older and this is just one of the best things that could have happened.”
Blocker also gave the crowd an example of what a hard question would be. “The hardest question I’ve ever come across, in all my years of pageantry is ‘If you were on a island – alone, and you’re allowed to bring one thing, what would it be?’”
After picking someone from the crowd, they answered “A life boat, so I can float my butt home.”
Kaye Barnes, the cousin of Wilson, is also apart of Pageant Chic. She has been doing pageants for a long time in her life, saying her family is a “pageant family.”
“When I was younger my grandmother used to say, ‘You may not have it all, but you better look like you have it all,’” said Barnes.
She gave the ladies tips on what to wear for the pageant and the interview. This included day wear, formal wear, and swim wear – also shoes.
“You’re shoes do not need to be six inches high, with the color wedge,” said Barnes. “Keep it simple, black or nude will do.”
She told the ladies to wear something they are confident in, because it will show if your not. She advised the girls to be very moderate and wear something fitting but not tight, as well as pageant secrets used to make sure your bathing suit is in place.
As far as the dress goes, Barnes said, “The simpler, the better.”
She also advised them to get the proper undergarments because the judges are the ones who really get to see everything. Shakira Smith was the last to speak to the crowd. Along with competing in pageants she is in the Air Force and a personal trainer.
She gave exercise tips for losing weight for the pageant. Planking, Yoga, B6 and running are ways she says you can tone your body before a pageant. Smith also gave meal ideas and taught the girls how to eat in moderation with portions.
Steering the ladies away from fast food she educated them on cons of fast food and how they can be damaging to your body and also how they are prepared.
“This was really helpful, and I see many good things coming from this event,” said Francesca Lee, a senior music education major from Atlanta. “A lot of good points were given here, and with their help anyone can come out a winner.”