World Class Beauty Queens Magazine would like to welcome amazing Queen Keri McMillin Ms. Mississippi Pure International 2020.
Full name: Keri McMillin
Title/Year: Ms. Mississippi Pure International 2020
Pageant System: Pure International Pageants
Age: 42
Zodiac sign: Cancer
Hobbies: singing, attending Ole Miss sporting events, watching my boys play baseball, working out
Platform: Mission MollyKate
Years competed: I have been competing my whole life. Since I was an adult in the Mrs. Division, I have competed 3 years.
Countries visited: Bahamas (going to Mexico in September)
Likes: Socializing, event planning, training pageant girls, shoes and Mexican food.
Dislikes: people who drive slow in the fast lane, English peas, mean people, and waking up early
Status: Married
World Class Beauty Queens: Please tell us about yourself.
I am a wife to Brent McMillin for 17 years and I am a mom of 3 children, 2 wonderful boys Mason, 14, and Dawson ,11, and MollyKate my daughter who now lives in heaven. Most weekends you will find me on the ballfields watching my kids play travel baseball. I am a real estate agent, I work for Effectv in advertising for over 15 years and I own my own consulting business Keri Mac Consulting. I love to be busy! I am a social butterfly and multitasking is my hidden talent.
World Class Beauty Queens: What does women Empowerment means to you?
Empowerment is the process that gives us power and rights as individuals in our own lives and the people around us. Women every day still fight injustices from the workplace to sexual harassment. We must equip women and allow them access to opportunities available to them without limitations.
World Class Beauty Queens: Tell us about your pageant history.
I started competing in my school pageants in kindergarten and continued through high school. When I was a senior, I competed and won Miss Alcorn County which was a preliminary to the Miss Mississippi America system. I went on to compete 2 more times and won a talent preliminary and made Top 10. After that, I became a director for the Miss America System for 5 years. In 2010, one of my clients told me I should compete in a Mrs. Pageant. So that year I competed and won Mrs. Mississippi America. In 2019, I competed and won Mrs. Mississippi United States. This year I competed and won Ms. Mississippi Pure International and will compete for the national title in September.
World Class Beauty Queens: What inspired you to do your first pageant?
My love for singing is how I found pageants. I have been singing since I was 3 and someone told my mom she should put me in a pageant with talent. I fell in love with pageantry along the way.
World Class Beauty Queens: Why did you choose to compete for your current title?
This system embodies the true essence of a what a woman is and stands for. It is not judged on looks or body but more about your heart and what you have to offer. It is a faith based, community service driven pageant and those are two important things to me. They also have optional talent and I love to sing!
World Class Beauty Queens: To those unfamiliar with your pageant system please tell us what is it about?
This pageant system is a faith based, community service driven pageant with 3 categories. However, they have 15 side events you can enter and so much more to offer. The directors for this system are highly professional and organized.
World Class Beauty Queens: What are you being judged on during the competition?
I will be judged on private interview, costume and evening gown. I am also entering 9 of the 15 side events. Those are talent, fitness, photogenic, portfolio, spokesmodel, acting, supermodel, print model and Be The Impact project.
World Class Beauty Queens: Tell us about your experience during the competition.
I always love to compete because I love to challenge myself. It was organized and fun and I gained a new friend! The director was amazing and super professional which made it lots easier for us competitors.
World Class Beauty Queens: Tell us about your platform or what cause do you volunteer for.
When we lost our daughter in 2007 to stillbirth, I started a non-profit in her memory. We focus on education, advocacy, counseling, and public awareness while also assisting with the financial burdens associated with losing a child.
World Class Beauty Queens: What appearances have you done with your title?
We had our first Mission MollyKate memory Mile walk in October and it was a great success. I do lots of volunteer work around my community. I have volunteered with the Chris Hope Foundation and the Hunger collation along with the work I do for our Neo-Natal Intensive Care Unit. I also have been honored to sing the National Anthem at Ole Miss basketball and baseball games.
World Class Beauty Queens: What are some of your achievements?
I have been awarded the North Mississippi Medical Center Community Hero Award, March of Dimes State Volunteer of the Year Award, Top 20 Young Professional Award and Top 40 under 40. I am also a Community Development Foundation volunteer and won the Ambassador of the Year Award.
World Class Beauty Queens: What makes you stand out from all those other beautiful girls?
I feel I stand out because I am so real and inviting. I make people feel at ease and judges have told me they feel like they are having a conversation with me and they enjoyed the interview and didn’t want it to stop. I don’t take myself to seriously and I feel that is what makes people drawn to me. I am who I am and I don’t change myself based on what I’m doing.
World Class Beauty Queens: Tell us about the moment your name was called out as the winner.
Well if you saw all the pictures of me winning you will realize that my mouth is always open in shock!! Every time I have been called the winner I feel humbled and blessed and I love the feeling knowing that I have accomplished a goal I set out to reach.
World Class Beauty Queens: What does it mean to you to be a Beauty Queen?
To me it is not about the crown you wear on your head but the one in your heart. You must be willing to be involved and speak up and out for what you believe in. We can change the world and it can start with one beauty queen touching one life for the better.
World Class Beauty Queens: How did competing in pageants helped your life?
It has made me a very confident woman. I truly believe that every job I have been given is because of my interview experience I received through pageantry. I would not be where I am today had I not competed. I met all 5 of my closet friends though pageants and you cannot put a price on that.
World Class Beauty Queens: How did pageants helped your self esteem and body image?
Pageants have helped me learn to take better care of myself not only physically but mentally as well. It’s not about being skinny rather being healthy and strong! Pageants have reinforced for me the importance of believing in yourself and setting goals!
World Class Beauty Queens: You are an inspiration to all the girls out there. How does it feel?
I take being a role model very seriously. It is our duty as title holders to be great role models for all girls and women alike. That means we are held to a higher standard and we must rise up and be a person that is of good moral character on all levels. I personally love being in that position.
World Class Beauty Queens: What is your on stage strategy to win the judges over?
I use eye contact and body language to show the judges that I am real and confident but not over confident. The way you present yourself can make or break you on stage. I also try to relax and just have fun!
World Class Beauty Queens: How did you prepare for your competition?
I am in the gym at least 5 days a week not only to keep in shape but just to be healthy in mind and body. I use an interview coach that helps walk me though questions and how I can position and grow my platform. I also practice full out in all areas of competition. Preparation is key. There is no pressure if you are prepared.
World Class Beauty Queens: What are your tips for learning better pageant walk?
I recommend getting a coach that is familiar with the system you want to compete in. All pageant systems are different and it is important to do your homework. Also, you must be yourself no matter what. Judges know based on your body language how you are feeling. Show them you are confident! And most importantly, walk and practice in your shoes!!!
World Class Beauty Queens: What are your tips for choosing right pageant dress?
Take people with you that know pageants and that you trust! If you feel amazing in a dress than that is what you should pick. Never pick because you think “white wins” or I should wear this color or style because they told me I should. If you feel like a million bucks then you will model like it. Everybody is different and bodies are different. Pick what looks best for your body type and look!
World Class Beauty Queens: What are your tips for winning interview?
Always make it a conversation! It should never feel forced. I always have mock interviews before hand as well because you need to prepare for it but most importantly be yourself and make it a conversation. Nobody wants a boring Q&A session.
World Class Beauty Queens: What is one mistake that you've done during competing you wish you could redo and fix it?
I would say putting too much pressure on myself and forgetting to enjoy the experience. There is a lot more to gain from pageantry than a crown. Be open to it and learn from it!
World Class Beauty Queens: What other mistakes are made by girls during the contest?
I see a lot of people that do not prepare and are overwhelmed by the experience. I have also witnessed girls with bad attitudes and that never works out for them!
World Class Beauty Queens: Any modeling or acting experience?
I have modeled for local businesses my whole life. I was part of a modeling team in high school and attended the World Wide Model and Talent Expo where I won talent and overall commercial. I started in community theater when I was 8 and did that all through college. I have been is several local and regional commercials for different clients from boutiques to car dealers.
World Class Beauty Queens: What are your plans for 2020 as a Queen?
My plan is to grow my platform Mission MollyKate and expand it to different states. I want to make a difference in the lives of families who are experiencing what I have experienced. I just want to be a light and inspiration to others through the work I do. I have also recently been asked to participate and dance in the Boys and Girls Club of North MS “Dance Like the Stars” event in August. I will raise money for the organization now until August and then we will gather for a spectacular night of competitive dancing.
World Class Beauty Queens: What kind of legacy do you want to leave behind?
I want to be remembered as woman who put others before herself and truly made an impact on other peoples lives for the better. I want to leave a legacy of hope and love to all who meet me.
International Director: Pat Miller
National Director: Pat Miller
Your Local Director: Pat Miller
Pageant website: www.pureinternationalpageants.com
Photographer Kristy Belcher-photographer
H/M-Kimberly Stinchcomb
Sponsors:
Faces by Patti
Metro Ford
M & N Construction
Spray Tans by Alicia World Class Beauty Queens Magazine would like to say thank you for this amazing interview.
Keri McMillin Ms. Mississippi Pure International 2020, World Class Beauty Queens Magazine, Kristy Belcher-photographer H/M-Kimberly Stinchcomb
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.
Comments