NE Message Thread from Guru -- Nebraska Pageants

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Date Posted: 13:43:49 01/25/09 Sun
Author: Good Luck with your NE voy board.
Subject: NE Message Thread from Guru

Subject: Just my own personal rant about the Miss Nebraska organization. Do they help these girls AT ALL???? With Ashley Bauer last year and Gretchen Bergquist this year, we had two bright, articulate, gorgeous women who rocked their SS and EG. Why do they just fade away at MA? I'm not a pageant person, but I've wondered for ages why the organization is based in North Platte and Nebraskaland days. It's time for some new blood--come on people. Step up to the plate and get these women to the next level.

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Date Posted: 12:17:43 01/25/09 Sun

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I agree = Miss NE was gorgeous but practically invisible this year (NT) -- No name, 12:22:41 01/25/09 Sun
After my own unfortunate experience at the state level and after listening about the unfortunate experiences of others at the the state level, it has come to my attention that a good number of states don't step up to the plate and do what they need to do. I do not understand why they put so much time and effort into MAO, but then fail to take the extra step. Maybe they just don't know how to do it. I agree that new blood is needed, but it is needed in so many states. You are not alone. (NT) -- No name, 12:27:50 01/25/09 Sun
And they wonder why more girls aren't entering the pageants. Why should they when they're basically hung out to dry after they get to the state level. (NT) -- No name, 12:39:48 01/25/09 Sun
Anyone who is smart in NE would run from the board as fast as they can and get some outside help. The current board, though changing, is stuck back in the late 70's/early 80's. The committee needs fresh blood. Then again the state reps need to grow a spine and stand up to them too. (NT) -- No name, 12:42:12 01/25/09 Sun
Same thing in WI. Need a new director. They are not picking the best rep except for Christina last year. Otherwise, they consistently pass over better girls. (NT) -- It's all in the judges "instructions.", 12:46:35 01/25/09 Sun
Did it ever occur to you, maybe its not the board in NE? We do not see interview on stage. I don't even know Gretchen so I cannot say for sure, but perhaps that was what left her behind? Good looks and talent aren't the entire package. We can't know what occured in the interview room. (NT) -- No name, 12:49:36 01/25/09 Sun
The contestant is the one going to Miss America, NOT the board. The contestant must pull her own weight in her preparations. (NT) -- No name, 12:50:30 01/25/09 Sun
I don't know Gretchen but I do know Ashley. That girl had the support of her family and was the whole package but that's why the sash states are so successful, year in and year out. There's some backing and preparation. It's hard to prepare if you don't know what to expect. (NT) -- No name, 12:52:04 01/25/09 Sun
I've interviewed her before, and there wasn't anything to write home about in her interview. Pretty much dead air IMO. (NT) -- No name, 12:55:29 01/25/09 Sun
So you're helping to prove my point. Ashley is very intelligent and personable. Why wasn't she given some direction from those who 'know' the pageant world what do expect from interviews? (NT) -- No name, 12:58:49 01/25/09 Sun
The board puts their blood sweat and tears (and money) into holding a pageant and providing scholarships? And then they are expected to provide EVERY detail of preparation? Sometimes Miss State may just need to use her own resources to find those in the know to prep her for free or a reasonable fee. Or perhaps the board has even tried to tell their contestants what to expect and they don't believe them and really focus? (NT) -- No name, 13:03:48 01/25/09 Sun
Are you an adult who is blaming a 20 something contestant for the board's shortcomings? How wrong is that? (NT) -- No name, 13:06:26 01/25/09 Sun
Obviously you're part of the Nebraska group. I don't want to hurt your feelings--I'm sure you work hard for the organization and we thank you for that. But there comes a time when efforts provide diminishing returns and you have to ask what's being done wrong or not done at all. Other states can do it--why can't we? I know that fresh blood is a lifeline in my field--why not for Miss Nebraska? (NT) -- No name, 13:07:09 01/25/09 Sun
I'm not a part of Nebraska's group. Not at all. But like it is said above, a volunteer board is not to blame. Each individual has things to work on - and of course there is always luck too. (NT) -- No name, 13:11:53 01/25/09 Sun
In my state my daughter was not allowed to use ANY of her resources without prior state approval which either took weeks to get or the requests were flatly ignored. She had tons of resources and did not end up using any of them. So while that might work for some contestants, it's simply not an idea that all contestants have available to them. Sorry system. (NT) -- No name, 13:12:28 01/25/09 Sun
Did you ever think it might be worth just quietly using them and not mentioning to the board. It is the contestant that is in the pageant. and prep is HER interest. As long as she is paying for the resources or lining them up, there isn't any reason for the state board to "approve." (NT) -- No name, 13:16:24 01/25/09 Sun
Yes, but not for things like hair color, etc. which are very obvious. She had her own amazing hair dresser, but she couldn't use her since she was not approved. So, yes, where we could have done that for some things, others were not available. Also, she was required to use state sponsored wardrobe - yuck! We would have been happy to foot the bill for some decent clothing, but weren't allowed. It was simply a very frustrating time. Thanks for the great suggestion tho. (NT) -- No name, 13:19:26 01/25/09 Sun
Its not all about clothing and hair. There are sometimes things like interview and paperwork that can be improved and make a different impression. (NT) -- No name, 13:24:01 01/25/09 Sun
That was not a problem. (NT) -- No name, 13:24:33 01/25/09 Sun
I don't mean to be offensive, but maybe you shouldn't be so sure. When someone is so dead set that they are perfect and there is no room left for improvement, that is always concerning to me. Also, talent help can be sought on the side also. I'm sure it wasn't just hair and gowns. I can't imagine judges wouldn't crown a girl just because her hair and clothes weren't the ideal? (NT) -- No name, 13:27:44 01/25/09 Sun
No, I meant they did not give us trouble in that area. (NT) -- No name, 13:32:21 01/25/09 Sun
How are you not allowed to foot the bill for clothing? Seriously? If you really hate what the state board buys and there is no way possible around it, pack your own and make your own choice there. These girls are adults. What are they gonna do, take a girls crown at Miss America after her prelim because she wears a different dress? Of course there may be hell to pay upon return home, but every action has its consequences. If its worth it, its worth it. (NT) -- No name, 13:26:07 01/25/09 Sun
Yup, It's unbelievable. The only way to do it right is to either be incredibly sneaky or fight. Neither is a good option. It's over now, but I can see that this year's Miss was in a similar situation. Poor girl. (NT) -- No name, 13:31:12 01/25/09 Sun
I wish they would stand up for the girls. Good grief, get some people under 40 in there. (NT) -- No name, 12:50:09 01/25/09 Sun
It's true--even the new board is stuck in the 80's from what I see and they do not have the background, sophisticaation, and resources to put a winner in Vegas. They have had several ih the last 10 years that should have made top 10... (NT) -- No name, 13:18:08 01/25/09 Sun
That's right--I forgot about the Nebraska contestant a few years ago who won preliminary SS at MA. (NT) -- No name, 13:27:39 01/25/09 Sun
good luck for NE (NT) -- The current directors will lack the background, sophistication, and resources necessary...the old board was stuck in the 80s and very controlling-we'l see what happens. They don't even use the good resources available locally!, 13:24:36 01/25/09 Sun
sorry for repeating myself--thought the old one didn't go through.. (NT) -- No name, 13:26:04 01/25/09 Sun
I hope they (NT) -- No name, 13:28:35 01/25/09 Sun
Oops. I hope they're reading this thread and realize that many in our state are not satisfied. Volunteer or not, this is basically a business and people who don't produce results in any business are either given the option of improving or they're asked to 'pursue other opportunities.' (NT) -- No name, 13:31:38 01/25/09 Sun
I will say that Jay Engel will have finances and raising scholarship first in mind. You won't have to worry about not recieving your funds as he is in charge. He is very supportive of scholarship and paid bills beyond quickly when he was treasurer previously. (NT) -- No name, 13:34:36 01/25/09 Sun
Nebraska is a smaller state. Perhaps you are bringing up a good point. Perhaps all resources should be pooled in the state, and they should consider cutting the local programs and go to an open state pageant. That way, all affiliated with the program could work for ONE state program to make it the best it could be. But you people might never be happy, so they need to decide if that decision is truly best on its own merits. (NT) -- No name, 13:36:30 01/25/09 Sun
Get to know people in the state. It is known that there are several people who have some areas that they can give their opinions and assistance (and for free or very little money) in preparation. Find out who these people are if you are a contestant in NE - seek them out and use them. Stop the whining. (NT) -- No name, 13:29:35 01/25/09 Sun
I'm not a contestant and neither is my daughter (pity--she would be perfect for the pageant world but wants nothing to do with it...). But I am in the business world and it frustrates me to see an organization muck things up so badly. It's the same old, same old for this bunch. Bleh. And the person who said there is plenty of free help available in the state if the board would only ask. If you don't live in the great city of North Platte or surrounding small towns, forget about it. (NT) -- No name, 13:34:49 01/25/09 Sun
Why wait for the state board to ASK. Contestants can go ask themselves. (NT) -- No name, 13:37:12 01/25/09 Sun
I'm not gonna go volunteer for the state board, but if a contestant comes and asks me for help with preparation, we can probably figure something out. Getting involved with a state board is something not everyone wants to do - its more time and money than I have, but I'm certainly open to helping individual contestants that ask. (NT) -- No name, 13:40:43 01/25/09 Sun
Here in this state the required "donation" to CMN is the problem (and local directors are having trouble getting judges!) -- No name, 13:05:56 01/25/09 Sun
I think you are being grossly unfair about the Miss Nebraska Organization. If you look at the track record, Nebraska has a goodly number of NFT winners, QOL runners up, NF interview awards, preliminary winners etc. The Nebraska Board works with their winner to the extent the winner will allow them, I've known several Miss Nebraska's who felt that the board were hicks and couldn't advise their way out of paper bag.. obviously with all those other awards, they can do that pretty darned well. (NT) -- Perhaps the issue here is that these girls cannot or choose not to run with the big dogs and stay on the porch?, 13:46:58 01/25/09 Sun
I'm from Nebraska and I hesitate to say this...but maybe there is something to the hicks comment to some extent. (NT) -- No name, 14:09:08 01/25/09 Sun
If a girl cannot "run with the big dogs" as you put it, then she should be provided the resources so that she is capable of "running with the big dogs." I honestly could not image any contestant who has made it to the national pageant who would not desire to make a good showing. This is, yet again, another example of an adult "BLAMING" the contestants. Put the fault where it belongs. The board is there to collectively make wise decisions. If the contestant had all of the power to make all of the decisions, then there would be no need for the board. Take some responsibility. (NT) -- No name, 14:28:15 01/25/09 Sun
Can someone from a 'successful' pageant state tell me how their winners are prepared? I am not of the pageant world and am honestly curious what they do right year after year. (NT) -- No name, 14:14:34 01/25/09 Sun
I am from the pageant world and I would love to hear the answer to this excellent question. (NT) -- No name, 14:19:32 01/25/09 Sun
Maybe you should start a NE voy board, where constructive advice could be offered on a continuing basis. (NT) -- No name, 16:05:56 01/25/09 Sun
If the board is to "blame" for a contestants lack of success at Miss America, then there are many, many other boards to blame also. (Which I don't agree with a board being completely responsible for a contestants placement - positive or negative - but anyhoo) Can't single Neb out on this one. What about North Dakota, South Dakota, Ohio, Wyoming, Colorado, Idaho, etc.? South Dakota made the 15, perhaps her state is the same situation? (NT) -- No name, 16:39:36 01/25/09 Sun
Oh no, I did not just focus on Nebraska. I was very generous and included MANY states. You are absolutely correct. (NT) -- No name, 16:42:02 01/25/09 Sun

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