World Class Beauty Queens Magazine would like to welcome amazing Queen Barbara A Komondor Mrs. Mid-Atlantic All-Star United States 2019.
Full name: Barbara A Komondor
Title/Year: Mrs. Mid-Atlantic All-Star United States 2019
Pageant System: Miss All-Star United States
Age: 53
Zodiac sign: Capricorn
Hobbies: Sewing, Watching old movies, Working outside in my yard, Dining Out
Platform: “That Special Touch” & Beverly’s Birthdays
Years competed: 1
Countries visited: Canada
Likes: Respect, Time spent with family & friends, movies, dining out
Dislikes: None really other than men’s ties not straight and people speaking loudly to overpower a conversation
Status: Married with a daughter
World Class Beauty Queens: Please tell us about yourself.
I am from a small Pennsylvania town and have been told I have a big heart, I grew up the youngest of three siblings, where I am the only girl. Through my childhood I played many sports including soccer, volleyball, basketball, and even track & field team. My mother, father, two brothers and I spent a lot of time together camping and volunteering at our church, which I’ve carried over to doing with my husband and daughter.
After graduating from Norwin High School, I furthered my education at Bethany College in West Virginia, graduating with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Leisure Services; I also minored in Education, grades K-9. I married in 1990 to my husband, Michael, and together we celebrated 29 years in September. We have one child, a daughter named Claudia. Having a daughter I’ve had the pleasure of enjoying her accomplishments and watching her dance over the years! Claudia, just like myself is a Norwin graduate, and for the past six years I have had the honor of being the seamstress for the school’s musical productions, group events and formal wear.
I love my family and community and making memories with them and making a difference in my community is important to me.
World Class Beauty Queens: What does women Empowerment means to you?
Good question. Women have always had strength and power to do what is needed of them. As a child I was taught in Catholic school that women are part of man and are one part of two. Thus, God created us to be strong physically and mentally so we have the kindness, compassion, and understanding to handle the ups and downs of life. Empowerment is living life by dreaming of or trying to achieve any task or goal that one desires. No matter how big or small. Just Try.
World Class Beauty Queens: Tell us about your pageant history.
The Miss All-Star United States (MASUS) was my first pageant. For years prior, I was a pageant mom for my daughter. I would sew, steam my heart out a competitions and just enjoy meeting new people along with watching my daughter learn skills that she uses everyday.
World Class Beauty Queens: What inspired you to do your first pageant?
Good question that I have yet to answer. I jokingly asked my daughter & husband “hey, what if I competed with you in the Mrs category? For years, I watched women compete and thought “could I do that”? Especially in a swimsuit at my weight and on stage in front of people that I never met. Ultimately, my husband, daughter, mother, family and friends encouraged me to compete. They wanted me to see the person that they see. No matter what weight I am and be that confident lady and mom they know.
World Class Beauty Queens: Why did you choose to compete for your current title?
I wanted to promote “That Special Touch” and “Quillows w/Love” alongside other women from across the United States who promote special causes and groups such as mine. TST collects formal wear for girls to rent or borrow that can not afford to buy for events. Quillows w/Love is a special project where we make unique blankets give to children and people in difficult situations to brighten up their days.
World Class Beauty Queens: To those unfamiliar with your pageant system please tell us what is it about?
Miss All-Star United States pageant is strong in community service and patriotism. They encourage every title holder whether state or national to go for “it”! Go for what you dream of, achieve that goal for your platform, a special cause, charity or organization, go for what you want to do in the future for work, or just continuing educating oneself through schooling, books, socializing, etc. Tammy Johns, President, works hard connecting her girls with professionals and/or opportunities to help advance their dreams, platforms and charities.
World Class Beauty Queens: What are you being judged on during the competition?
Every contestant participates in a private interview that day prior to the competition. During the pageant we were judged on swimsuit, evening gown and on-stage question.
World Class Beauty Queens: Tell us about your experience during the competition.
Over the top! Wonderful! FUN!!! Best Time in my life for a long time. There’s not enough words to express my joy. Many pageants have the contestants spend all day in rehearsal. We rehearsed every day but always had a fun event to attend each day.
Day 1 was shopping then a show at the historic Savannah Theater. Day 2 was a scavenger hunt where teams RAN through town finding answers to questions & doing fun things then dinner on a Riverboat cruise. Day 3 was the Queens Gala socializing, auction items, Patriotic parade/fun fashion by the pre-teens, awards & speeches. And YES, my team won the scavenger hunt! Day 4 started with a trolley ride to the hall for the Competition. Since the week goes by “Tammy Time” we were on schedule all the time!
World Class Beauty Queens: Tell us about your platform or what cause do you volunteer for.
“That Special Touch” was created by my daughter and I several years ago to raise money for various charities. Evening wear is donated to us then we let girls and women use for special events. Since then, my mother, Rose Marie and I offer sewing and alteration services which we are expanding to create “Quillos w/Love”. They are unique blankets that are donated to children and Beverly’s Birthdays which is another local charity that my family and I have been fundraising and supporting for a few years.
World Class Beauty Queens: What appearances have you done with your title?
I participated with my family at the “Wreaths Across America”, attended our Memorial Day Parade, “Race for Grace, American Heart Association Heart Walk, Beverly’s Birthday Birthday Bash & new location sorting day, Cyndi’s Memorial Dog Park fundraisers, Westmoreland County Firemen's Association parade and the Western Pennsylvania Firemen's Association Parade.
World Class Beauty Queens: What are some of your achievements?
Though my greatest achievements in life are my husband and my daughter, I have done some cool things too!
In my town, I was the first girl to play on an all-boys soccer team and even their elite travel team my first year. The next year was the first girls club soccer team and six years later we had our first high school all-girls soccer team which I was honored to be a captain. I graduated high school in 1984 and went on to college graduating in 1990 with a double major. While attending Bethany I was on our schools volleyball and track & field teams. In that time I set the school javelin record… FOR 32 years!
World Class Beauty Queens: What makes you stand out from all those other beautiful girls?
In my pageant experience I’ve had the honor of standing alongside many impressive and outstanding women. Where I feel I stand out is in me, just being me. I’m real in my feelings. At times I’m outspoken and confident, others I’m nervous and anxious. But that is all part of the experience. I’m also willing to talk new ideas with anyone, and work with anyone. I embrace all!
World Class Beauty Queens: Tell us about the moment your name was called out as the winner.
Nationally, that did not happen and I am not sad at all. As I stood on stage, my mind raced with “could I be a runner up or crowned the national titleholder”. Not this year and truthfully, I was relieved. I made a commitment to compete and then life hits you. HARD! Several months prior my husband became very ill and was continually going back in the hospital. We had many conversations about continuing or dropping out? What if something happens while I am so far away competing? Then, if I actually win could I fulfill the commitments while dealing with this? So many questions but so glad I was encouraged to compete.
In those few short days I got to spend time with my daughter, mother and meet women who impressed me so much they will never know. All so kind, supportive and funny beyond words that we all immediately wanted to stay in touch.
World Class Beauty Queens: What does it mean to you to be a Beauty Queen?
Don’t focus only on the physical beauty. Instead be a role model. Be confident, don’t be afraid to express one’s goals and fears, dreams, concern for others and try whatever that may be because it will be noticed without you even knowing.
World Class Beauty Queens: How did competing in pageants helped your life?
The pageant started me thinking about what is important and evaluating myself. Who am I? What do I really have to offer at my age? Am I bored? What makes me happy and doing it. Recharging oneself.
World Class Beauty Queens: How did pageants helped your self esteem and body image?
Competing made me face myself head on, no excuses! Let’s face it, we all have busy lives! Being a wife and mother, balancing meals, activities, a job and so on leaves you somewhat pressed for leisure time. Diets get out of whack, exercise is relaxed, things start to happen. I didn’t lose the 40 lbs. I wanted to for the pageant and that definitely brought on the anxiety but after stepping off the stage in that swimsuit…chills! What a liberating experience. And now, I’m proud of myself and can’t wait to do it again!
World Class Beauty Queens: You are an inspiration to all the girls out there. How does it feel?
Scary and exciting. I did something I only thought of for years and ended up enjoying it. Growing up I told my daughter many times to “just try it”. Some only do one thing their whole life and it might work for them; but others bounce around until they find what makes them happy. Plus, you don’t have to do everything that everyone else is doing just because. Do what interests you.
World Class Beauty Queens: What is your on stage strategy to win the judges over?
Being yourself sounds cliche but it’s the most important thing you can do. If you are yourself you can speak directly out of love from the heart, and convey the emotion of your platform and answering the judges questions respectfully. If you try being someone else or telling everyone what they want to hear, it’s not real. It’s not from the heart. And it shows.
World Class Beauty Queens: How did you prepare for your competition?
I worked with my daughters pageant coach, spoke with other ladies that have competed, with people involved in public events/TV, company CEO’s, read articles/books and watched pageant videos on YouTube. I then created a MASUS binder. It contained a calendar, pageant paperwork (highlighting important notes and dates), information printed from pageant websites, breakdown of required or suggested clothing for rehearsals, appearances and overall necessary personal items needed to take, and blank paper.
World Class Beauty Queens: What are your tips for learning better pageant walk?
Work with people that know the correct ways. Luckily, my daughter has a great pageant/runway walk that she was able to demonstrate what her coach worked privately on with me. I recommend finding poses and a walk that complements your body type, age, what your wearing and shows confidence when needing to perform. Some pageants have set walking patterns but allow you do personal touches. Try not to over it or sway away from the given walking patterns. Judges are given the pattern and permitted to adjust scoring accordingly.
World Class Beauty Queens: What are your tips for choosing right pageant dress?
Be you. Try on all different styles, colors, and fabric types. Limiting yourself to a style that you see others wearing may not be you. Keep an open mind and have fun. Then when you find one that you really like but maybe has or doesn’t have a feature (bow, flower, belt) be creative and make it yours. Experiment.
World Class Beauty Queens: What are your tips for winning interview?
Listen to the question(s) being asked so you can answer clear and to the point. Do not rush or be regimented in your answer(s). If giving data, facts and figures make it conversational and have control while not overpowering the conversation.
World Class Beauty Queens: What is one mistake that you've done during competing you wish you could redo and fix it? Have more confidence in my appearance so I could have focused more about my reason for competing in the pageant so I may have promoted and explained my goals better for my platform nationally.
World Class Beauty Queens: What other mistakes are made by girls during the contest?
Being so friendly that they seem fake is my biggest issue. Everyone is always polite, wanting to express their ideas and want to get to know you. Don’t go overboard while being polite, don’t speak over others, carry on side conversations when instructions are being given. Just listen and do not give suggestions on how things should be done if not asked. It’s distracting to others and takes up time.
World Class Beauty Queens: Any modeling or acting experience?
Several years ago participated in our church’s Mother-Daughter Fashion Show.
World Class Beauty Queens: What are your plans for 2019 as a Queen?
Educate myself more about what is involved to be a local &/or national title holder personally and professionally. So when I hear my name called I can 1000% know I can fulfill the pageants requirements while achieving my goal to organize and promote my platform “That Special Touch” nationally.
World Class Beauty Queens: What kind of legacy do you want to leave behind?
That I tried. Life is full of experiences- some bad and mostly good. There are times we have to do things we are not interested in or even considered doing but afterwards have a new interest. Or even better, gain respect for the new.
I want to remove the thought and emphasis in schools, organizations and people that there is only one path in life. Don’t limit yourself or children. Let children be involved in a variety of activities even if they are at the same time. This teaches them time management early. Plus, how to talk and work with others when a scheduling conflicts happen.
Director: Tammy Johns
Pageant website: https://missallstarunitedstates.com/ World Class Beauty Queens Magazine would like to say thank you for this amazing interview.
Barbara A Komondor Mrs. Mid-Atlantic All-Star United States 2019, World Class Beauty Queens Magazine, Photo by Dennis Pushkar, Impressions Photography
Interview by Derek Tokarzewski Owner/Editor in Chief Mr United Nations 2018 Platform: Women Empowerment Ambassador to International Foundation for Orphans iffocares.org
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