There may be glitter, glitz and glam at the Nationals' 2009 Miss Pre-Teen Seattle pageant, but it's not without a purpose - as its motto, 'pageantry with purpose' declares.
And for Alyssa Adams, a McClure Middle School sixth grader, the purpose does not revolve around winning a sparkly tiara - though she wouldn't mind, she said laughing with the spunk of an 11-year-old.
"It seems like a good opportunity. I think it will build my self-confidence better," the young pageant contestant said. "It seems like fun and I've never done it before so I really want to try."
Though Adams said she's always wanted to do something like this, she didn't seek it out - the sparkles found her. Adams received an invitation to compete based on an anonymous recommendation, explained Adams' mother, Marisa Rodriguez.
"At first I thought 'Oh lord,' a beauty pageant' but it's 'pageantry with purpose,'" Rodriguez said. "They focus on personality and really on the interview. Aside from teaching the girls walking and waving, they're learning how to go through professional interviews and life skills that will help with high school, college and the work place."
And there's not a swimsuit competition. After passing the scam test and learning more about the aspects of 'pageantry with purpose' Rodriguez signed Adams up for her first pageant.
While the invitation remains a mystery, when pressed about why somebody nominated her, Adams admits with humility, "I think I have a good personality. I'm really nice and funny."
Adams made the first cut and is now competing for the Miss Pre-Teen Seattle title. If she wins, Adams will go on to the Cities of America National Competition in Orlando, Fla. where more than $60,000 in prizes and awards will be given.
While Rodriguez and Adams navigate the world of pageantry - searching for casual and formal wear and practicing the wave - Adams must find community sponsors to fund her spot in the pageant. Sponsorship allows Adams to receive training from a pageant coach, participate in rehearsals and cover related expenses.
Though the pageant will be her first, Adams is no stranger to fashion shows and performances.
"I love to dress up. I go through all my clothes and put on random stuff and put a show on for my mom and grandma and dance down the hall," Adams said. "I love mixing up clothes and making them funny and crazy."
And while she talks about building self-confidence, Adams does not seem shy about trying new activities. She just started learning the guitar and she really enjoys playing tennis and baking. Once, after watching the TV show "Take Home Chef" Adams went online to find the chef's recipe for iced raspberry soufflés, and started making them.
"They're really good, too," Rodriguez added laughing. "She constantly surprises me."
As for the competition, Adams said she still really needs to practice the pageant wave and she's most excited for formal wear and making new friends.
For her mom, the life skills Adams will gain is the biggest plus.
"They've already given her a sense to always be aware of her surroundings and skills for public speaking," Rodriguez said. "It's also an opportunity that she could win and benefit from, but at the end of the day it'll be a fun experience no matter what happens."
For the Miss Pre-Teen Seattle Title, prizes valued at more than $20,000 will be awarded, one of which is a three-year modeling contract. The competition takes place Oct. 11 and individuals interested in becoming a sponsor can contact Adams' pageant coordinator, Anna at 1-800-569-2487.
But at this point, mom and daughter say they have no expectations except to have fun as they learn the ropes of the pageantry world.[[In-content Ad]]
