Packing for Miss Royalty International

Miss Royalty International is several months away, but I'm so excited to meet everyone and aam such a planner.  I like to be organized, so  I decided to make a MRI contestant packing list.  We have several people flying in from out of town, and I know it can be quite stressful.  Having an itemized packing list made ahead of time can be extra helpful and make life a LOT easier in the weeks leading up to the pageant when stress levels are at their highest.

Here is the list I compiled of helpful items to pack.  If anyone can think of anything else, please comment below.  =)  

MISS ROYALTY INTERNATIONAL 2015 PACKING LIST:

Have a royal day. ;)

Tips for choosing a great headshot.

Your headshot may be one of the most important, overlooked details of the pageant. Your photo shows who you are, what your personality is like, and focuses on unique features you'd like to highlight.  Here are some simple guidelines for choosing an amazing, winning, eye-catching headshot:

1.  Make sure your photo is simple and has no distractions.  Taking a photo outside is okay and natural lighting is amazing, but just be sure to take a photo in an area with a simple background or at least have the background blurred so you are the focus.

2.  Do not wear something that has too much of a pattern and try not to over-accessorize.  Simple earrings with a clean, patternless outfit is the way to go.  When in doubt, go simple!  

3.  Don't choose a shirt that has a really odd neckline or a turtleneck.  Odd necklines make it look like you are an alien from outer-space who was born with an asymmetrical neck.  Also, turtlenecks make it look like you have a floating head.  (You don't want the judges thinking you are in a circus show, do you? ;)

4.  As far as submitting black and white or color; I am torn.  Call me old fashioned, but I always like a crisp, black and white photo.  However, if you have a really bright shirt on or a color that brings out those baby blues or chocolate brown eyes, then choose color.  As a person with dark hair and blue eyes, I found that color always worked best for me.  My hair always looks really dark in black and white photos and my skin usually looks pale with light, ghostly eyes.  So, go with what's most flattering to YOU.

5.  Your eyes are the windows to your soul.  If you are smiling, and your eyes are not, it will show.

6.  Don't overdo the retouching of the photo.  Make sure it looks like YOU.  You don't want to show up in interview and have the judges thinking you are a different person.

7.  If you look good with your hair back, be careful.  You don't want to look like you have no hair.  Style it in a way that some hair will show in the photo.  

8.  Hands in a photo can be okay if placed just right and it looks like a natural pose.  

9.  When taking photos outside, make sure you are in the shade or go out on a cloudy day.  Sunlight can make you squint and can cast weird shadows on your face.  

10.  Make sure you know your best angle.  Everyone has a good side to shoot! 

Miss Royalty International requires contestants to submit a headshot for the program book.  Hopefully, these top ten tips will help you choose the perfect photo for the program book.  If you need any help, ask your friends, family, and other pageant enthusiasts for their opinions.  Below is a collage of headshots submitted in the past for Miss Royalty International.  As you can see, they are all very different, but capture the girl in the photo.

Thank you and have a wonderful day! 

Currently

Hey, Miss Royalty International enthusiasts!  I wanted to inform you of what MRI is doing at the moment.  It's fun to know just what goes on in an executive director and marketing director's world! Lots of exciting things are happening.  Find out more below:

1.  We are getting contestant requests like CRAZY!  It's so surreal.  We are so excited about what our turnout is going to be next year.   Recently, we received our first international delegates; Canada and also the United Kingdom.

2.  We are keeping up with blogging (trying to at least), Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest and Google+.  If you are on any of these sites, please follow us and tag us in your posts so we can find you. =) @missroyaltyintl or @missroyaltyinternational

3.  At the pageant next year, we are planning some fun things...think VIDEOS. =)  I regret not getting videos on my cellphone in the past, but who knew that videos were so hard to put up online?  Especially on Instagram.  Anyone have any ideas on how to upload videos from your phone?  If you are doing an appearance, feel free to make a video and post it on your sites so we can see!  We even love selfie videos on what you've been up to so far this year or any advice you have for future contestants!  I also love Flipgram for Instagram.

Miss Royalty International Flipgram video for Junior Fashionwear

Miss Royalty International Flipgram video for evening gown

4. We are also working on our big event on November 2, 2014...THE Pageant Event.  It's being held at the Clarion Hotel and Conference Center in Milwaukee, WI.  Attendees always have fun at this event each year, because we get to meet new people who enjoy one common thing - PAGEANTRY!!!

If that sounds like you,  THE Pageant Event is THE place for you!  There's always 150-200 people that attend, and we have a silent auction/raffle to help out a local charity.  This year, the organization is the Humane Animal Welfare Society of Waukesha, WI.  We are so excited to have received a very large ticket item from Kesslers Diamonds in Brookfield (www.kesslersdiamonds.com) for the event, and we are so grateful.  If you, your business, or any other business you know of is willing to donate, please contact Cheryl Smukowski or Michelle Becker.  Currently, we're seeking models for the fashion show, so be sure to visit www.thepageantevent.com and fill out a model application and pay for your lunch ticket!

THE Pageant Event

THE Pageant Event

THE Pageant Event

So, that's what we are currently working on.  All of this has really kept us busy, but we've been trying to be prompt on answering your e-mails and messages.  Thank you so much for all of your support and we look forward to meeting you/seeing you at our future events. =)

Michelle Becker

www.missroyaltyinternational.com

www.jrmissroyaltyinternational.com

www.THEpageantevent.com

In the news...

Hey everyone!  It's been a while since I've posted an "In The News" blog about what our Miss Royalty International queens are up to!  Check out the great things they are doing below:

Kylie Spence, our Miss Royalty International Hartland Jr. Teen is seen pictured on a building in Oklahoma.  She is on a mission trip to help rebuild the city after the devastating tornadoes in 2013. 

Kylie Spence, Miss Royalty International Hartland Jr. Teen helps in OK after the tornadoes in 2013.

Saryna Ritter, Miss Royalty International travels around the world promoting the MRI pageant to all of her Mac Duggal clients and friends!

Katie Maskey, Mrs. Royalty International, just did her first official photo shoot and her pictures are stunning!  Can't wait to see all of the pictures.  Photos courtesy of Sarah Modene Photography.

MRI Jr. Mini Spirit, Nevaeh Kauffman, poses next to this amazing car at the Strawberry Fest parade.  Lookin' good, girl!

Tori Cavey, Miss Royalty International Pre-Teen queen, has fun at her 10th appearance at the Kane County Cougars princess game!

Kayanie Terrazas, MRI Spirit Queen, is pictured with the director of the Quantico National Cemetery for Memorial services.

Savannah Kalnoski enjoys her time in Alaska with her pageant friends for the 4th of July!

She's also pictured below in VOGUE INTERNATIONAL magazine!  Way to represent us, internationally, Savannah!

Sydney Phillips, MRI Lifetime Queen, presents trophies at the Hibbing Raceway track to the winning drivers!

Ms. Royalty International Classic, Melanie Cholka, enjoys her 4th of July...even if it's in the rain!

Love this photo of Hailey Garcia, MRI Queen for a Cause.  Such a lovely photo shoot!

I cannot tell you how PROUD I am of all of our reigning queens.  Keep on promoting and volunteering.  You are all amazing representatives and we love seeing what you are doing throughout your communities!  Remember to let us know about what you are up to so we can feature you in our "In The News" blogs.

Have a great week!

Michelle Becker

www.missroyaltyinternational.com

SPOTLIGHT ON....Amanda Torchia!

We are proud to present to you....

Miss Amanda Torchia, Miss Royalty International Teen!

Official headshot of Amanda Torchia - Miss Royalty International Teen.  Photo by: Fadil Berisha

We had the extreme pleasure of interviewing this lovely lady.  She is beautiful inside and out and so well-rounded.  Take a look at our exclusive interview with Amanda below:

MRI - Amanda, what do you do in your spare time?
Amanda - In my spare time, I love being around my friends and family. They always know how to make me laugh! Also I love to exercise, it's a big part of my life because I feel it's so important to have a healthy lifestyle. Lastly, I enjoy cleaning (surprisingly). I am super organized and love to organize my room!

MRI - What is your favorite hobby? 
Amanda - My favorite hobby is pageants, of course! When I was young, I was super shy and pageantry really helped me open up and gain the confidence that I have today.

Amanda taking her first walk as Miss Royalty International Teen 2014!

Amanda looking confident in her evening wear.


Amanda in her fun fashion wear.


Amanda's crowning moment!

MRI - What did you do to prepare for the pageant? 
Amanda - Lots and lots of practicing! I really do believe that practice makes perfect. I practiced my walking routines, my mom asked me interview questions at any chance she got, and I helped in selecting my competition wardrobe. It really was a fun process.

MRI - What is your advice to next year's contestants? 
Amanda - For next years contestants, my advice is to have fun! Enjoy every minute of the competition because it goes by extremely quickly and will be over before you know it.

MRI - What is your favorite vacation spot? 
Amanda - I love visiting Boca Raton, Florida. My family and I go there every summer and it's the best! My favorite part is going to the beach because I love being in the sun and going surfboarding with my brother, Antonio.

MRI - What is your favorite organization to volunteer for? 
Amanda - I recently was named an official volunteer of the Red Cross Organization and it was such an honor. I really enjoy it because my mom volunteers with me so it's a great way for us to spend time with each other!

MRI - What is your fondest memory? Amanda - My fondest memory would definitely be when I was chosen to model for Seventeen Magazine in NYC! I was so excited and it was a great experience. I have always wanted to model for Seventeen and I was happy to finally accomplish that.

Amanda posing with her issue of Seventeen Magazine!  How exciting!

MRI - What makes the Miss Royalty International pageant different from any other pageant you've done?  

Amanda - With the Miss Royalty International pageant, I felt I really was able to take something away from it. I made memories and friendships that will be with me forever and I know that it was an experience of a lifetime.

Amanda promoting her platform of living a healthy lifestyle at the Ultimate Health and Wellness Expo.

Amanda and Mrs. Royalty International having fun!

The infamous Miss Royalty International Oscar selfie!

Maria and Amanda, having too much fun at the hotel!

Amanda, Miss Royalty International Teen, pictured with Fadil Berisha.

Amanda posing in New York city!

I think think she was excited she won....what do you think? =)

We surprised Amanda with "Happy Birthday!"

As you can see, Amanda has done so much with her title already promoting living a healthy lifestyle.  She's such a great example of teens around the world, and we are looking forward to what else her year has ahead of her!  Great job, Amanda.  Keep it up!

Michelle Becker

www.missroyaltyinternational.com

Spotlight on...Savannah Kalnoski!

We would like to welcome Savannah Kalnoski, your 2014 Jr. Miss Royalty International Mini Spirit, to the MRI family! 

Savannah Kalnoski, Jr. Miss Royalty International Mini-Spirit

Savannah has had the unique opportunity to compete in her very first pageant with her mom, Summer.  They took lots of pictures together and made memories that will last a lifetime at the Miss Royalty International pageant.  We are so fortunate to have been able to be a part of this everlasting memory for this dynamic mother/daughter duo, who travelled all the way from Alaksa!  Get to know Savannah a little bit more in our exclusive interview below:

MRI: Savannah, what do you like to do in your spare time?

Savannah: I like to sing, dance and hang out with my friends. I love to get dressed up but I also really like to get out and play on snowmachines and 4 wheelers. I love camping and the smell of smores from the campfire.
 
MRI: What is your favorite hobby?
 Savannah: I love doing art projects! Painting, drawing, I just like to create.
 
MRI: What did you do to prepare for the pageant?
 Savannah: I practiced! I practiced everything from walking to holding my head up and making sure I smiled big. I also worked on mock interview questions and a lot of dress fittings!

Savannah looks like a princess in her formal wear dress.

Savannah and her mom, Summer, model for the Most Beautiful Mom contest at the Saturday night party!

Savannah in her fashion wear outfit.

MRI: What is one piece of advice you have for next years contestants?
 Savannah: Have fun and have confidence in yourself!
 
MRI: What is your favorite vacation spot?
 Savannah: California, because there is so much to do there.
 
MRI: What is your fondest memory:
 Savannah: Hearing Michelle call my name as Miss Royalty International Spirit

Savannah Kalnoski, Miss Royalty International Mini-Spirit

 
MRI: What makes Miss Royalty International different from any other pageant you've been in?
 Savannah: Well since Miss Royalty International was my first pageant I don't know much about other pageants but Ms. Michelle and Ms. Cheryl make sure everyone feels special and has the best time ever. It is a time I will never forget for sure!  

                                         

Here are some pictures of Savannah at the Miss Royalty International pageant!

Such a fun picture of our mother/daughter Miss Royalty International duo!

Before....

After!

Savannah signs autographs at one of her first appearances!

Thank you so much, Savannah, just for being YOU!  You are exactly what Miss Royalty International is all about.  

Way to go!

Michelle Becker

www.missroyaltyinternational.com