Natural Beauty Will Shine in San Angelo Saturday

SAN ANGELO, TEXAS - We've all seen beauty pageants on television and reality shows that seem to go overboard with the theatrics and make-up when, in fact, they're supposed to be a "friendly competition." Well, if you've ever wondered how you or your child would rank in such a pageant, but don't want to be involved in all that drama, there's good news.

This Saturday, September 17,  the Texas chapter of "Our Little Miss" will hold its "Back to School Pageant Scholarship Competition." The event will take place right here in San Angelo.

Event Coordinator Mallory Hooker said, "Registration starts at 1:30 p.m. at the St. Luke's Methodist Fellowship Hall at 2781 West Avenue N, right next to Angelo State University."

Hooker added, "Ours is a Christian-based organization whose motto is, 'It's nice to be important, but it's more important to be nice.' Marge Hannaman is the one who started our system, years ago, because she wanted something for her daughter to do that was considered 'natural' in the pageant system." 

Hooker said this program is the first natural pageant of its kind and has been around for over 54 years.  

"When we say 'natural,' we mean no or age appropriate make-up, no wigs, false teeth or excessively expensive clothing," explained Hooker. "With the older contestants, we understand they will wear some make up and fix their hair, but again, we want them to be as natural as possible. In the preliminaries, participants wear their Sunday best-type wear. The second part of our contest requires them to wear something casual, as if they were going to the park--just normal everyday clothing.  We want to see their natural beauty and personality."

The competition is open to ages 0-29, boys and girls, she added.

"As the competitor continues and advances in competitions, [she or he] will be wearing more extravagant clothing, but nothing that would overpower the children especially. What people generally stereotype as 'pageant," we don't allow in our system. We have modesty regulations to where [contestants'] straps have to be at least 1 inch, no backless dresses, or anything else that would not be age appropriate. On stage, we will interview the contestants, but in an effort to teach the participants poise and self confidence." 

Hooker also said during the preliminary events, judges look for that child who is happy and wants to be on stage--someone with stage presence. 

"In every aspect of our competition, we encourage the girls to create relationships and friendships, as it's not all about the competition," said Hooker. "Of course, everyone would like to win, but it's more fun to come back every season and see a familiar friend."

Hooker said her daughter has been competing for years, and since this competition welcomes all, they have competitors from Russia, Japan, the Cayman Islands and England.  

"People come from all over to our competitions," she noted.

Last season, the pageant had 11 contestants in its Beauty Season.

"When we went on to our state level in Abilene, we took eight girls, making a total of 45 at the state level," Hooker said. "We usually have between 5 and 15 contestants at a preliminary competition, and what we're really trying to do is get them acclimated to our system. We want to find those who are interested in representing San Angelo at our state finals in November." 

Hooker explained that there will be an orientation for parents, and organizers would love for anyone to come out and experience the Natural Beauty Pageant system.  

"Of course, we hope if they were to win, they would want to advance to the next level, but it is possible to just compete the one time," Hooker added. "Everyone gets some kind of award for participating in appreciation for their efforts."

Hooker concluded that she and her daughter have participated in the pageant for the last five years.

"I love it and could talk about pageants all day, as it is something my daughter and I enjoy doing together," she said.

For more information including prices, click here and be sure to check the pageant out on Facebook.