World Class Beauty Queens Magazine would like to welcome amazing Queen Dawn E Fountain 2022-2023 International Classic Ms All Star.
Full name: Dawn E Fountain
Title/Year: 2022-2023 International Classic Ms All Star 2022 World's Classic Ms Florida Tourism
Pageant System: World's Tourism
Age: 51
Education Level: Associates Degree
Zodiac sign: Virgo
Hobbies: I enjoy doing so many things. I love spending time with my grandchildren (Sydney - 6; Nick - 5; London - 4; Eva - 1; Lexi - 8 months)
Platform: I Remember (Dementia)
Years competed: Since I was 10 years old
Countries visited: Bahamas, United States
Likes: Spring, Fall, Shopping
Dislikes: Being lied to, fake people
Status: Married to my wonderful husband, Rick. 3 grown children - 5 grand kids
World Class Beauty Queens: Please tell us about yourself.
I am born and raised in Florida - and lived in Phoenix for 20+ years. I have two dogs (Teddy- Pomeranian and Titan - chihuahua) and am currently retired from law (after 28 years). I am married to a wonderful man, Rick, for the last 15 years. Together, we have been all over the United States and also enjoy camping in our trailer.
World Class Beauty Queens: Please tell us about your education. I have an associates degree in law (paralegal) from Lamson Junior College. I also have a certificate in American Sign Language. I love to learn. I have even taken the classes necessary to be a certified Zumba instructor, which ties into my love for fitness. Since my mother was a teacher for 35 years, education and learning is in my blood, you could say.
World Class Beauty Queens: What does women Empowerment means to you? It means women supporting women. We are critical enough of ourselves. We don't need to tear each other down. We need to support one another. It is too easy for us to tear down ourselves. We can find little flaws that we think are bigger, when they aren't noticeable at all. As a woman, instead of tearing down the female that you are competing against, or just see on the street, we should be supportive and caring of each other. We don't know that person's back story as to why they have that pouch, scar, whatever it might be. Women need to be supportive of each other. As women, we are natural born nurturers. We need to use that towards others, not just our own children and family.
World Class Beauty Queens: Tell us about your pageant history. I was in my first pageant (Little Ms Suncoast) when I was 10. It was at Tyrone Square Mall in St. Petersburg, FL. I didn't have a clue what I was doing and just wanted to dress up like the girls on TV. I did not even place or anything. I was crushed and cried. I did a lot of modeling after that so that I wouldn't have to compete against other girls. However, once I became an adult, I realized that even after having children, and not being in my 20s that I could still do a pageants. I entered into the Ms Continental Pageant in 2013/4. I was Ms Largo. I met so many wonderful people there. Again, I didn't win, but I did get the salesman award for selling ads. That fueled my love for pageants. I then entered World's Tourism in 2014/5 as World's Mrs Florida Tourism. In my category that year, there were three of us. A 23 year old from TN, me, and a 27 year old from Canada. The 23 year old won, I got runner up (Princess). I also won Photogenic, Congeniality, and People's Choice. I was hooked still. It was a few years before I could enter pageants again, and now I am in the World's Tourism pageant again as World's Classic Ms Florida Tourism 2022.
Within that pageant, there was a mini pageant. It was for those who have talents beyond pageants/modeling - like singing and dancing. Well, to enter this pageant, you were supposed to be a triple threat - pageants, modeling and sing or dance. Ha, I am a quadruple threat. I can do all 4. I have been singing and dancing since I was 5. So with that mini pageant - I am International Classic Ms All Star 2022-2023.
World Class Beauty Queens: What inspired you to do your first pageant? My grandfather! I called him Papaw. He was a character!!! He could sing opera and he was a professional model. He even got me signed with his agent when I was a teen. He inspired me to go into modeling and pageants. He found out about the Little Ms Suncoast pageant and signed me up and then told my mom what he did. Typical Papaw!
With our agent, there was a National Modeling Competition, which Papaw and I both got into the finals. One of the contestants in that competition were also in the Little Ms Suncoast pageant. I never forgot them. I made Finals and they didn't. Sadly, I remember being really happy that I had beat them. But in my defense, I was young and about winning - not the true meaning of the competition - which was to support, encourage, and not act like that.
World Class Beauty Queens: Why did you choose to compete for your current title? I love representing Florida and all it has to show. From its award winning beaches, to even the little known gems of Florida. There is just a beauty about this tropical state.
Also, I love pageants/modeling. I got into this pageant this time as a reward to myself. January 26, 2020, I was in a horrible car accident (car v semi). I had a concussion and sprained/strained everything from the neck to hips in my back. I had a herniated disc in my lower back. Four months later I had back surgery, permanent back injury with nerve damage. I thought I would never be able to workout or almost do anything again. December 2020, right after Christmas, I decided to lose some weight. I joined WW and lost 50lbs in 6 months. I then decided to get back into modeling and pageants as my reward. But I wanted to kick it up a notch. So I started to train for a bikini competition. I just did my first one April 2, 20222 in Orlando (NPC Klash). Again, I didn't place or get a medal, but I know what I need to work on. In true "Dawn doesn't quit" fashion, I have already planned my next one in Phoenix on June 25.
World Class Beauty Queens: To those unfamiliar with your pageant system please tell us what is it about? Tourism is an original event - teaching delegates to give their crown a voice, for the benefit of others. Family friendly, class and style - to empower all females of all ages and to show the beauty of each female and their respective state/country.
World Class Beauty Queens: What are you being judged on during the competition? We are judged on Interview (25%), Photographic (25%), Evening Gown (25%), State Costume (25%). For State Costume, we not only dress up in a costume, but it is a costume that relates to a little known fact about our state. When I did this before, I dressed up like a 20s business man (only in a skirt) and talked about the 3 Henrys of Florida Tourism. I cant tell you what I am doing this time since we haven't had the pageant yet, but I already have it planned and its a fun one!
There are also optional events you can enter in the pageant - Talent, Super-Model, Fashion Model, Actress, Cover Model, Catalog Model.
I am going to be entered in the Talent (doing American Sign Language to the song "Sound of Silence"), Super Model (I am going to wear a dress I wore when I modeled in NY Fashion Week), Fashion Model, Catalog Model and Cover Model (ad sales)
There are also awards you can win based on what you do during the year - Role Model, Leadership, Academic, Tourism Spirit (similar to Congeniality), Gold Star Achievement (save a life), Kindness, Social Media (posts a lot - including challenges), Visibility (basically most appearances), Humanitarian.
World Class Beauty Queens: Tell us about your experience during the competition. I did this pageant about 6 years ago. There was such a glamor as to how professional the pageant was run and also the sisterhood. I loved all the girls that were there = some of which are still friends today.
World Class Beauty Queens: Tell us about your platform or what cause do you volunteer for.
My mother was diagnosed with Dementia May 2021. She was a school teacher for 35 years and has a Masters in Education. Now she barely knows who I am - her only child. She is now in assisted living and I know there are others in there that have no one to visit them. When I do visit Mom, she doesn't remember so many things. When this happens, I tell her 'I Remember'. There are many family members of other people who are frustrated, hurt, etc about their loved one. So I started, 'I Remember'. Where family members can meet and vent/get support while dealing this awful disease.
World Class Beauty Queens: What appearances have you done with your title? I have appeared at:
Any Time Fitness - Hunsader Farms - Bearadise Ranch (real BEARS!) - NY Fashion Week - Girl Scout Cookies (with my granddaughter, Sydney)
St. Augustine - Largo Park - Camp Fort Wilderness (Disney) - Key Vista Park - Belleair Causeway Fishing Pier
Kennedy Space Center - Model Casting for HSN (before and after shoot too) - Alcote Park
Tarpon Springs Sponge Docks and the Aquarium - Clearwater Beach - NPC Klash Orlando Event
Sims Park - Bret Michaels' charity concert for 50 Legs - Sarasota museum - Chasco Festival
All throughout the year, our director, Teri, does challenges for the girls to do - to increase our presence in the community, for us to post and sometimes win awards or prizes. I have done the following challenges:
THINK - Think before you speak - is it True, Helpful, Inspiring, Necessary, Kind?
Fall Dinner - set a table, make a family traditional meal
Scavenger Hunt (THIS WAS FUN) - we had a bunch of things to go find and take pictures of us in sash/crown. (For example: Full belly, full plate, folded hands)
Kindness Day - donated to a local food bank for Thanksgiving
Oscars - there was voting and I won runner up (got a gift card) and was awarded the Tourism award "Best Film Director in a RomCom"
Movie and Pizza Night
Anywhere I go - when I have the sash/crown on, people are drawn to me and ask about the pageant. I love meeting new people and talking about the positives in pageantry.
World Class Beauty Queens: What are some of your achievements? I am really a humble person, so really I do not consider anything an achievement. I live my life to the fullest and to my best ability. If I win an award, medal, crown - I never think I earned it. I worked hard in training, practice and in my life, but I have never really considered anything an achievement.
World Class Beauty Queens: What makes you stand out from all those other beautiful girls? I am just me. I am not a cute little 20 something with a tiny waist. I am 51 - almost 52. I have had children. I am a 2x domestic violence survivor and a childhood abuse survivor. I have had a lot of weight gain/loss. I hold myself a little differently than the usual pageant girl. My life experience makes me different than others. A woman/girl who has a talent or a knack for something will be different than mine - that makes us all stand out in our own light and in our way.
World Class Beauty Queens: Tell us about the moment your name was called out as the winner. I can only talk about the time I got runner up. I have never won a pageant. For runner up - I was shocked because the two girls I was competing against were about 20 years younger than me. I could not believe I was being called! I could not stop smiling for about forever. As for the titles I have now, I consider any title to be an honor. Whether it be World's Tourism or International, or even Mom or Gammie.
World Class Beauty Queens: What does it mean to you to be a Beauty Queen? It means I have to step up and be a role model for other survivors. I need to be proud of my title and to wear it with class and style. To show other people who have been down the roads I have - You matter. You can get through this. You are not defined by this. Look at what I have been through. Now look at me now. You may not want to be in a sash/crown and fancy dress - but you can be bigger than this and you can survive. And I am here for you!
World Class Beauty Queens: How did competing in pageants helped your life? It helped me with my self esteem. After years of abuse, I felt very badly about me and only saw the flaws and the scars. Now, with a lot of work on myself and with being in the Tourism pageant, I feel a total turn around in my self esteem. Those scars don't make me ugly, they make me who I am. Tough, a survivor.
World Class Beauty Queens: How did pageants helped your selfesteem and body image? Again, years and years (like all my childhood and most of my adulthood) has been riddled with abuse. I honestly didn't think I was worth anything. I didn't feel pretty, worthy. I felt like a fat ugly frog. I used food as a crutch for everything. But when I get myself together and decide I am done with feeling that way, I use getting into pageants as my reward. I love dressing up and being on stage is my safe place. My only place in the world where you can see me, but no one can get to me. I am safe up there and therefore, very comfortable. Pageants proves me the motivation to workout, eat healthy, and helps me to be able to see the woman I really am and to keep up that work and progress.
World Class Beauty Queens: You are an inspiration to all the girls out there. How does it feel? I don't feel worthy of being called an inspiration. I am just me. I have been through things in life - and some have had it worse. I am very determined and can be stubborn. If someone wants to call all that and all that I have done (weight training, weight loss, pageants, modeling successes) an inspiration - then ok. Go ahead and use me as your inspiration. But be an inspiration for yourself too. Have a goal to work towards that bigger than you ever thought.
World Class Beauty Queens: What is your on stage strategy to win the judges over? I don't think I really have a strategy. When I get on stage, I make sure I have a smile on my face, and I stand tall. By the time I get on stage (or in front of a camera), I have worked hard to get there. I make sure I look and feel confident in what ever I am going to do on that stage. Even if I fall or stumble with my words, play it off. Make it look like you meant it. Confidence and a smile - that is the biggest thing you can have.
World Class Beauty Queens: How did you prepare for your competition? Its a long process to prepare for the stage in any competition. For a pageant, I make sure my body is in good shape with exercise and healthy foods. I like to plan and I have my trusty notebook. As soon as I get the handbook, I print it. No matter how many pages it might be. I then read it - cover to cover. I highlight and put tabs on things I need to remember. Mark important dates in my calendar. If I need to do appearances, I start looking at the community calendar and start emailing and making calls. I talk to my friends and find out what events they know are happening. I make sure my dress is altered and my shoes are on the shoe stretcher. You don't want uncomfortable shoes when you are in them for hours and they are pinching your toes. Practice your pageant walk, and if there is an optional - practice your talent, make sure you have your pictures the way you need them, whatever it is you need. Never wait till the last minute to start preparing - and its never too early to start.
World Class Beauty Queens: What are your tips for learning better pageant walk? An "America's Next Top Model" runner up taught me - walk back and forth as far back as you can bend and still walk. Do this about 3-4 times. Then stand up straight and walk again. (For pageants, brush your dress with your hands lightly). You will have the perfect walk. According to Kiera, you should do this about 10-15 minutes a day. You will feel ridiculous to do it, but you wont believe how much it helps.
World Class Beauty Queens: What are your tips for choosing right pageant dress? My #1 tip - make sure it fits your age. Don't pick a dress that is too mature for you. Also make sure it fits you properly. Make sure it is the right color for you and doesn't look too washed out or too dark for you. Also, make sure you are wearing the correct heels/shoes and that they too are age appropriate.
World Class Beauty Queens: What are your tips for winning interview? Wow, hard question. My biggest tip is be honest. I have heard girls obviously lie to the judges during their interview. Are you kidding? If you don't have an idea, tell them. They will reword the question slightly for you. (This is of course not on stage interview - which I have never done) When answering a question, don't try to sound "fluffy" and want 'world peace for all'. Be honest, classy, and kind with your words.
World Class Beauty Queens: What is one mistake that you've done during competing you wish you could redo and fix it? For my first pageant at 10, and even my Continental pageant - its not really a mistake, it was simply "I didn't know". I wish I had picked better outfits. It was hard next to impossible that I know of to have done "What wear in a pageant for a child" research in the 70s. I know my mother, who had never done pageants, had no idea either and she did what she thought was best. For the Continental pageant, I should have done more research on what to wear for evening gown and fitness wear. I didn't pick the best dress and that didn't help me. I also didn't have much confidence at that time either.
World Class Beauty Queens: What other mistakes are made by girls during the contest? I have seen little girls (about 5-8) who are wearing heels too high for them. They are little girls. Teen girls - I have seen some dresses on them that were WAY TOO revealing. I get it - some pageant dresses do show a little skin, but you don't need to practically show everything you have in your gown. That is too much for anyone, unless that is the type of competition you are doing.
World Class Beauty Queens: Any modeling or acting experience? I have been modeling since I was 6 years old in Winnie the Pooh School with Sears. I have done mannequin modeling Burdines and Christopher & Banks. Recently - I walked in NY fashion week. I will doing that again in September and also walking in Miami in July.
I have been on HSN numerous times modeling for Lox Hair Extensions, Robin McGraw, Lancome (about 5-6 times), Perlier, M Asam to name a few. I was also in a local Walmart commercial, a United Way training video, a probiotic commercial, a skin care commercial that aired in Spain, and an extra in an Anthony Sullivan mop commercial. I have also recently modeled for a marina on a yacht.
World Class Beauty Queens: What are your plans for 2022 as a Queen? Pretty much what I have been doing. I will continue to do my appearances (which I love doing), which will continue me to show people what a survivor looks like. I will continue to work with "I Remember" and be a support for the families of people with love ones with Dementia. If my director has anything else that is needed of me, I will be proud to wear my crown of stars and do it with class, style, grace and a smile.
World Class Beauty Queens: What kind of legacy do you want to leave behind? I want all women my age who have been told, "You are too old to do that. You are too short, fat, whatever to do that." No you aren't. You are perfect the way you are. Those scars, wrinkles, what ever you have - no matter your height or weight - you can. Will it be easy? No. Are you going to have to work harder than the younger girls? Yes. Will it be worth it to live out your dreams? Heck yes! I waited 35 years to be able to walk in NY Fashion week. Why? Because I listened to those who were jealous and haters. Don't listen to the negative. We dont need others to point out our flaws. We already know what they are.
There is a statement that I use to say all the time about how I survived childhood abuse and domestic violence:
Every single day - do one good thing. Hold the door for an old lady. Pay for someone's coffee. Just something.
Because every single day when you do or say one good thing - just one - that is kick to the one that hurt you.
I know that sounds awful or harsh, but to know that one day at a time, one small step at a time, you are healing from what someone did to you - that is the best thing you are can do for your heart. To help your heart to heal.
International Director: Teri Moore-Alexander
Pageant website: https://www.misstourismpageants.com/
Name of the Photographer and other credits: Lisa Counsman (Director); Jason (photographer)
Agents: Bena Bouler; Maya Mouis
World Class Beauty Queens Magazine would like to say thank you for this amazing interview! Interview by Derek Tokarzewski Owner/Editor in Chief of World Class Beauty Queens Magazine.
Dawn E Fountain Dawn E Fountain 2022-2023 International Classic Ms All Star, World Class Beauty Queens Magazine, Photo by Jason
Interview by Derek Tokarzewski Owner/Editor in Chief Mr United Nations 2018 Platform: Women Empowerment Ambassador to International Foundation for Orphans iffocares.org
World Class Pageants, Fashion Modeling, Film and Music magazines.
Miss WorldClass and WorldClass Ambassadors.
World Class Beauty Queens Magazine Facebook link.
Titles are for one year but Covers are for Ever! Dreams do come true with World Class Pageant Magazines. 96 print pageant magazines and our amazing Cover Girls.
