Going into today’s competitions offers undeniable advantages for personal growth, according to this former USA director and national children’s pageant founder.

Pageantry magazine: How do you defend pageants to a person who does not see the relevance in today’s society?
Michael Galanes: I have spent a great deal of time educating the public on pageants and relevance in the lives of those involved, the benefits realized, and the level of success and satisfaction achieved. Whether the young woman is aspiring for a career on the silver screen, attorney at law, educator, or the list goes on, she will use these pageant experiences in life and for the rest of her life. I was at Miss Teen USA this August and spoke to a former titleholder now working on Wall Street, and she told me without hesitation that the USA Pageant experience allowed her to receive a job in a highly competitive market. The confidence one achieves through the pageant process, the mindset of working through short-term and long-term goals can not be learned as thoroughly in any other outlet. I ask people to try to understand that, like any other activity, you receive exactly what you put in. I have personally watched young woman grow, begin their involvement with community service, work on self-esteem, performing talents, interview skills, public speaking, presenting one’s self and other traits, such as the all-important “eye contact.” All of these qualities can be yours, if you would consider involvement in the amazing and sometimes underestimated world of pageantry.

PM: As a state director for Miss USA/Teen USA, what have you learned about pageants that others may not know?
MG: I learned that there are so many variables in any competition, and I see first-hand that it is so much more than meets the eye. I learned how a true live national telecast is run. I experienced such highs and lows, joys and disappointments, and experienced moments I will cherish always. I learned that with each titleholder comes a very different job description for the state director. With some titleholders, I play an intricate part in the journey, while other titleholders have a support team in place and I play yet a different role. I learned that you truly never know a pageant outcome, because the judges and pageant staff members have different perspectives. The game is fun, exciting, unexpected, and like no other sport.

PM: If your contestant does not win a pageant, what is your advice?
MG: I do not think a young lady ever truly loses a pageant if she has prepared with all her heart, challenged her mind, created new friends, developed a new sense of articulation, perfected her communication skills, and understands that one’s worth is not determined by a pageant outcome. You see, it is all in the mindset; you are a winner, simply, if you believe. Furthermore, many times the non-winner creates more of a learning and growing experience to move forward to create lucrative opportunities. I look back and my most memorable, valuable lessons were the times when we did not win the respected title. So, who really wins the pageant, the winner or the non-winner?

PM: How do you select judges for your local, state, or national pageants?
MG: I am a firm believer in creating a very diversified panel where each contestant feels comfortable to compete in the pageant. I know, firsthand, the work load and dedication each contestant has achieved to arrive at pageant weekend. How dare I let the contestants down with a panel of judges who are complacent, unfair, or not qualified or impartial individuals? I seek individuals who are diverse in age, professional backgrounds, ethnicity, and pageant savvy, as well as individuals who are comfortable engaging in conversation and understand the important task at hand.

PM: How much importance do you place on physical fitness when judging an event?

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