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THE MS. LATINA/TEEN LATINA INTERNATIONAL PAGEANT
Ms Latina International Pageant |
ArtsyStuff Magazine recently attended the Ms. Latina/Teen Latina International Pageant held August 1st, in Miami, Florida.
Angela Posillico, the pageant's director, tells us that the Ms. Latina International Pageant is the only International competition, that allows for her contestants to live in the United States, and represent the heritage of her countries background.
Candidates must posses a 25 to 50% Hispanic background to qualify for her competition.
As of the date of this print, the Ms Latina International Pageant website did not show the names of the new reigning contestants.
THE COST
Application fee: $15. Entrance fee: $375. Mandatory outfit fee: $40. Practice workshop: $30. Dress: $150. Hair: $100. Photography: $50. Sash: $15. Video: $100. Hotel: $150. Miscellaneous: $600.
The value of winning a pageant crown: far from priceless. The chances to compete, however, are everywhere.
After her mother spent about $2,000, 9-year-old Felicia Brown of Methuen received a crown this summer when she competed in her first-ever pageant for the title of Miss Massachusetts American Sweetheart. Felicia has pretty blonde hair and years of dancing experience, but those aren't the reasons she won it. She didn't even make the top 10. It was her ability to sell $500 in advertisements for the American Coed Pageants information booklet.
"It was a lot (of money)," said Edith Lebel-Figueroa, Felicia's mother, about the contest, adding, "We're not rich. We're an everyday working family, you know?"
Beauty pageant officials, especially those that cater to children, say they've gotten a bad rap in recent years because of the highly publicized murder of 6-year-old Colorado beauty queen JonBenet Ramsey, and that pageant companies that charge too much are further marring their image.
Felicia's family doesn't regret their pageant experience, despite the costs, many others compete over and over. But according to those with extensive knowledge of the pageant industry, some pageant companies are more interested in bringing in thousands of dollars in profits than crowning a winner. People in the pageant business estimate it is a $5 billion industry. That money comes from moms, dads, friends and local business, all of them solicited to sponsor a young lady's entry fee and other expenses so they may have an opportunity to shine.
Ms Latina International Pageant |
SUMMARY
The benefit of pageantry in increasing the self-esteem and the support it provides in the personal development of it's participants seem to be common elements. Most everyone we contacted told us that they received benefit from their experience.
Some of the complaints we have received included the cost of participating and if the contestant did not win, issues regarding the judging process.
Overall the benefit of participating in a beauty pageant outweigh the negative we have uncovered. But countless calls to the Better Business Bureau are evidence that when it comes to the pageant business, the rule of thumb is: Buyer beware.
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Listing of Florida Pageants:  | | | With some due diligence, prospective contestants and their family can check the background and confirm the legitimacy of any organization. - ArtsyStuff Magazine
Credits:
Deauville Beach Resort
Oceanfront resort featuring a spacious lobby and various recreational amenities, including children's activities, beach and pool water sports, Jacuzzi and state-of-the-art health club, and on-premise shopping.
6701 Collins Ave.
Miami Beach, FL 33141
305.865.8511
http://www.deauvillebeachresort.com
Photo Designs, Inc.
561.242.2455
http://photodesignsinc.com
Ms. Latina International, LLC.
http://mslatinainternational.com
Pageant News Bureau (PNB)
http://www.pageant.net
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