MGA update- I’ve always loved this time of year. From the smell of fall in the air, the leaves changing colors and the scent of pumpkin everywhere you go; but more so the time for the Miss Gay America family reunion. As I scroll through the pages on my Facebook status updates I see that I share the same love as so many others do. Miss Gay America is more than a pageant, a title, or a crown. It is family; it is a piece of history, a legacy, and place where dreams come true. Last year, at this time, I remember staying up till the wee hours of the night before making our trip to St. Louis, checking my list over and over to make sure I didn’t forget anything, and reflecting on all those years I made “that” trip to MGA. I remember thinking, or feeling it was my time. In my heart I always knew I would one day be a MGA, I just didn’t know when the dream would come true. As I’ve said before…..the dream came just in time, on time. I don’t regret one year, one sacrifice, or one dollar spent. The honor was worth it all and I would do it all over again, if need be. The past year has been amazing. My reign was everything I thought it would be and so much more. The places I have been, the people I have met, and the passion and fire of the human spirit I have witnessed has inspired me in so many ways. I have watched 174 men (state and regional, not including all those city prelims) compete for their spots to MGA 2015. For one lucky person…..Your life will be forever changed come October 12th. Your year can and will be everything YOU want it to be .Only you can dictate what kind of reign you will have. I challenge whoever wins to be even better than me, better than Kirby Kolby, better than Catia, better than Maya, better than all of us…. Make your mark on this system, add your special touch, and only add to the legacy that thousands have dreamed of being a part of. Doors will open wide for you, but only you can take the steps to walk through them. Preparing for this week’s pageant, I will say has been a lot different then all my years competing. My stress level is much less and I’m not as nervous. However, my luggage and things I’m taking is tripled!! Instead of being seen on stage just a few times for categories…I’m packed and planned for several appearances each night. I don’t think I can fit one more thing in the truck and u haul!!! I’m super excited to see all the promoters, the fans of MGA, and all my incredibly talented contestants. I am thrilled for them to shine and share with the country why they deserve to be competing for the job of MGA. I’ve often said that while most celebrate the New Year on Jan 1st… My new year always started post week after MGA each year. Usually, that would include new talent and gown concepts, how much I would need to work over to finance next year’s trip, and so forth… It is safe to say the “New Year” will start again for me on Oct 12th. I know I will be somewhat sad and at a loss…but I feel safe saying those feelings will fade soon and I will fall comfortably into the role as a Forever MGA and I know I will always be closely associated with the pageant on many different levels. How could one cut ties with something that has shaped so much of your life??? To everyone traveling to Nashville for this week’s reunion…be safe. Come with a positive attitude and the mindset to produce a positive pageant experience ON and OFF the stage, for everyone involved. To my contestants…come with an open heart and an open mind….remember you are being judged long before you arrive at the host hotel. Be prepared. Know your handbook, know your rules (specifically), admin duties (specifically), Be prepared to be just a good a loser as a winner. While you all want the job of MGA and you all share the same dream, it will only happen this year, for one of you. So learn, listen, watch, and ask questions. Also, network. Get to know one another. Crowns and titles last only a year, the friendships and bonds you can make with you fellow contestants can last a lifetime. Use this time to network and get to know each other….make the effort to reconnect and travel to each other’s cities to work and promoter your brand. You can get a lot out of MGA; you just have to take the opportunity. Please support your new MGA and give him time to fall into the position of MGA. The job is hard and the expectations are great. But with time and the help of L and T , he will soon be ready to hit the ground running and prove to everyone why the 5 judges chose him. Treat him as you would like to be treated. Thank you so much to everyone for the emails, text, calls, donations to Stand for the Silent, and the promoting of MGA all over FB this week.….I’ll be honest and say I’ve been a bit distant from the reality of the inevitable end that came much quicker than I thought and fighting this eye issue only enhanced the mood….so I apologize if I haven’t returned your calls or other outreaches…I have a 7 hr drive a head of me tomorrow and will get back to you all… Xoxo Jessica “ We have been brought together by excellence”
Posted on: Tue, 07 Oct 2014 02:50:32 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015