Surviving State Competition Week: 8 Things to Expect

​State competitions and stress pretty much go hand in hand. I asked fellow titleholders what things helped them survive state competition week and they had some wonderful tips! Here is a compilation of what we all agreed could come in handy during your state competition week. I hope these help you navigate a less stressful state pageant experience.

Surviving Your State Competition Week: 8 Things to Expect

Expect things to get lost.

• Label everything with your name or your headshot.
• Bring extra of everything: Extra makeup essentials, underwear, pair of shoes, socks; if you have two of something at home, bring the extra one!!!

Expect random mishaps.
Inevitably, you or someone will need these in an emergency at some point during the week!

• Scissors, safety pins, bobby pins, double stick tape, duck-tape, self-tanner, hand lotion, and feminine products.
• Sickness provisions: tea, honey, throat lozenges, and cold medicine.
• Bring your own toiletries because the hotel or your host family might not have everything you need!

Expect downtime.

• Bring a binder and fill it with important and relevant items: Your paperwork to review; empowering messages and quotes; encouraging notes from friends and family.

• Download news apps so you can check current events.
• Bring headphones. You can center yourself with your own music, podcasts, or audiobooks.
• Bring books, coloring books, card games, or other things that you can do to relax if time allows!

Bring Epsom salts for sore feet!

Expect to be hungry at off hours.

• Bring healthy (or unhealthy!) snacks for your hotel room and for backstage during competition just in case they aren’t provided.

​Expect you might be on your own for breakfast.

• Bring something you can grab and go with (fruit, granola or protein bars) or even juice and yogurt in the event you have access to a refrigerator.

​Expect to be cold or to need a power nap.

• Back stage can get cold, so bring yourself a fluffy blanket, pillow, robe, hoodie, slippers, or all of the above!
• Bringing the above mentioned fluffy blanket is also handy for power naps!

Enjoying my fluffy pillow after the judges interview!

Expect to need more talent prep time than the “official” on stage talent rehearsal.
The official on-stage talent rehearsal is to make sure the technical aspects of your talent are working properly for the show. This is actually NOT a rehearsal.  It’s a tech run through. You should be rehearsing before and after this time. Expect this on-stage rehearsal to move very quickly (because it will!)

The official talent rehearsal allows you to:

• Mark the stage if you are a dancer.
• Get a good mic and monitor level if you sing, present a monologue, or play an instrument.
• Make sure your gymnastic mats are in the correct spot; find placement for your batons; or any other needs that your talent has from a technical standpoint.
• If you are using a talent track, make sure it's downloaded onto your phone or mp3 player so you can practice during downtime! ​

​Expect to need more deodorant!

• Bring extra!!! Have one for backstage and one for the hotel. You would be shocked at the number of women who needed to use my deodorant! 

BONUS ADVICE:  Make and bring a LOOK BOOK
Look Book (noun): A “book” (or binder) with every item listed you will need for each day of the state competition week. This includes, but is not limited to:

• Rehearsal outfits for each day. After sweating, dancing, and power-napping, you probably don’t want to wear those leggings the next day.
•  Appearance outfits for each day. Your entire outfit, shoes, and jewelry.
• Competition Clothing.  Make sure to have every phase of competition included: Interview outfit, Opening Number; Talent; Evening Wear; Ramp Gown. You could include your shoes, jewelry, props (if applicable); you could list undergarments, and how you plan to wear your hair.
• For my fellow OCD friends: Include undergarments, jewelry and shoes for appearances and rehearsal attire as well.
• For my fellow clumsy friends: Prepare for at least one wardrobe mishap and bring an extra pair of shoes, shirt, pants, etc. Rips happen, zippers break, and coffee stains don’t come out easily when you need them to!​

I hope this list will be helpful for you to have a less stressful time at your State Competition. It is a week like no other. Memories and lasting friendships are made during this crazy, exciting, and challenging time. Good Luck!