National American Miss Pageant 2010

Friday September 03, 2010

After loading the van, we all, Robie, Violet, Laverne, and me, headed to Franklin Tennessee. Once we arrived in Franklin, we located the Cool Springs Marriott, checked in, unloaded the van and went to our room. Robie requested that we get a room on the top floor, so I asked the front desk and they moved us from the 6th floor to the 11 floor, Room 1114. The time was about 12:30, which meant we had 3 1/2 hours before check in for the Pageant.

After walking around and locating the sign-in area, we went to have lunch at the restaurant in the motel called Lorraine's. Afterwards we walked around the motel, took pictures and most importantly located the Pool.

At 3:30 we went down and got in line to Sign-In. Sign-In went from 4:00 -5:15. During the Sign-Up we entered all the Optional Events Violet wanted to compete in, the Talent, Actress, Casualwear, Most Recommendations, Photogenic, Top Model, Best Resume, and Art Competitions. After signing up for each event, she recieved a Ribbon for Participation. When she got to the Photogenic Events table, she also recieved at Trophy for entering all 4 Photogenic Events. Only 16 out of the 68 contestants recieved one. After signing in we went to get her Production Outfit which she would use in the Actress Competiton and the Final Dance Show before the Finale. The outfit consisted of a Pink Shirt with NAM, National American Miss and a Crown printed on it. They also recieved a pair of white anklet socks with NAM on it and a hair ribbon. We had to provide the blue jean shorts and white sneakers.

Once Sign-Up was over we waited for the Workshop to start. The Workshop was taught by past winners of National American Miss and Miss USA. They taught them how to stand, walk, sit, smile, etc. correctly. This was held in the Champion Ballroom, which was wear the Talent, Formal Wear, Personal Introduction and Finale would take place. It lasted from 5:45 to 7:00 PM.

At 8:00 Pm was the Get Aquainted Party, held by the Staff of NAM. They had all the girls dancing around the Ballroom several times then led them on stage to do some more dancing. This was to help them get over their nervousness. Once on stage, they had a couple of impormptu contests, Best Costume and Best Dancer. Afterwards they had them do the Miley Cyrus Hoe Down. Once this was over they had the girls go get a male from their family and bring them on stage. Violet tried to get Robie to go up but he refused, then she asked me to go up. Once up, they had all of us dance to the YMCA and a Line Dance. After about 15 minutes of dancing they asked the men/boys to go back to their seats. This is when the Staff organized the girls on stage and let us take pictures of the group of Contestants.

This was the end of the first day at the National American Miss Pageant.

Day 2 would turn out to be a long and busy day, but Very Fun Day for All Involved. Here is what day 2 looked like.

It started early. While Violet slept, Mom and Dad were up around 4 AM getting things ready, ironing clothes, getting shoes together, making sure of where we needed to be and at what time, etc. Violet awoke around 6:30 AM and started getting ready.

Here is her schedule for the day.

8;00 AM Pictures in her Formal Wear
Practice her songs for her Talent Event
Practice her walking, etc.

9:45 AM Orientation for All Contestants and Family Members

10:30 AM Talent Competition held in the Champion Ballroom.
Violet sang 2 songs, Patriotic Medley and Rocky Top.
She did verygood. Several Parents and Contestants Complemented her on how
well she did.

12:30 Formal Wear and Personal Intro Rehearsal

1:45 PM Casual Wear Modeling Competition held in the Champion Ballroom

3:00 PM Actress Competition held in Salons 7 - 10.

5:15 PM Formal Wear Competition followed by Personal Introduction Competition and
Awards Ceremony. This was held in the Champion Ballroom.
The girls would be escorted in their formal wear onto the stage by their father
or some male escort. After the Personal Introduction several awards were given
out. Violet recieved the Spirit of America Award.

7;00 PM Top Model Photo Shoot

Violet's day ended around 8:00 PM. Afterwards we ate and Violet, Robie and Laverne went swimming for awhile. I stayed up in my room posting pictures on Facebook so everyone could see what was going on.

The Last Day, Sunday, September 05, 2010, started early. Laverne and I were so tired that we didn't sleep much Saturday night and we were up around 4 AM. Violet pulled herself out of bed around 6:30 but was slow and cranky because she was tired.

Here is Day 3

8:00 AM Interview Competition

10:15 AM Dance Number and Pageant Final Rehearsal

3:30 PM All Contestants had to be int he dressing room in their Pageant Production
Outfit.

4:00 PM Pageant Finale, held in the Champion Ballroom.

The Pageant Finale started out with the girls doing a Dance Number from Miley Cyrus I think was called Party in America. After the number, they all ran off stage to get into their Formal Wear. Along with the girls running off stage, All the Mothers ran out of the room to help their daughters get into their gowns. While the Emcee was introducing the judges, the moms and girls all started to come back in.

All the girls got to walk across stage in their gowns one last time before announcing the winners of the Optional Events and announcing the Queen and her Court. The girls that won the most of the Optional Events were either the Queen or her Court. From what the reigning Jr. Pre-Teen Miss Tennessee, Kirsten Verbal said that is the way it always is. What was a big surprise was that Violet won 4th Runner-Up for Top Model. For the Optional Events the Top 5 get to go to California for the Nationals. This being a new Event, we are not sure if Violet gets to go. We have to wait to see if she gets an invitation.

Over All, we all Really Enjoyed this Weekend and look forward to next year. Violet has learned a lot about herself and what lies ahead for her as long as she applies herself. I can see her going all the way to the top if she listens to what people tell her and applies herself. She is the only one that can keep her from being what she wants to be.

Momma, Robie and Dad is Very Proud of what she did and accomplished. Just think about it, 4th Runner-Up in an event in which she had not experience at all. Imagine what she can do once she gets the experience. This was her 1st Pageant Ever.

Way to Go Violet.

Congratulations!!!!

Love You,

Mom, Robie and Dad