World Class Beauty Queens Magazine would like to welcome amazing Queen Olivia Knight 2019 Pure International Teen America.
Full name: Olivia Knight
Title/Year: 2019 Pure International Teen America
Pageant System: Pure International Pageants
Age: 18
Zodiac sign: Leo
Hobbies: working out, modeling, pageants, shopping, watching movies
Platform: My platform is S.T.O.P. Bullying.
Years competed: This was my first Pure International Pageant but I have competed in pageants since 2016.
Countries visited: France, England, the Bahamas
Likes: I love anything rose gold and vintage. I love old vinyl records and retro fashion.
Dislikes: I personally dislike "copy-cats". I love to see people express themselves in their own way. I don't like when someone feels they have to copy someone else to "be cool" or "fit in". Always be yourself, because there is only one you!
Status: single; I'm a senior in high school
World Class Beauty Queens: Please tell us about yourself.
I am a senior at Corinth Hight School. I have earned my AICE Diploma (Advanced International Certificate of Education) and have over 600 community service hours. After I graduated, I plan to attend the University of North Alabama, where I will major in Political Science. I hope to one day pursue a career as an attorney. I want to be able to continue to serve my community, even in my future job.
World Class Beauty Queens: What does women Empowerment means to you?
Women Empowerment means that I have the opportunity to decide what I want goals and accomplishments I hope to achieve in my life without someone telling that I am not capable of achieving those goals.
World Class Beauty Queens: Tell us about your pageant history.
I began my pageant journey in 2016. My very first pageant was Miss Teen Mississippi USA. Since then I have done many local pageants. I have also competed for the title of Miss Jr. Teen Mississippi and Teen Mississippi United States. I have also held the title of Miss Jr. Teen Mississippi. This is the first national title I have ever held, and words can't express how grateful I am to have been given this opportunity.
World Class Beauty Queens: What inspired you to do your first pageant?
My first pageant was Miss Teen Mississippi USA. I was only 15 and had become interested in doing pageants. At the time we didn't know much about pageant systems or the pageant world as a whole. I applied to do this pageant because I wanted to challenge myself.
World Class Beauty Queens: Why did you choose to compete for your current title?
I chose to compete for this title because I loved what Pure stood for - faith, family, and community service. They celebrate everyone for who they are and encourage everyone to make an impact. Pure International pageants makes everyone feel welcome, and I felt as
though it would be a perfect fit for me. I love that they don't hide their faith. They don't force it upon anyone, and everyone is welcome to participate.
World Class Beauty Queens: To those unfamiliar with your pageant system please tell us what is it about?
Pure International Pageants is an amazing organization that is faith-based but welcomes everyone from all backgrounds and walks of life. They promote #betheimpact, which encourages people everywhere to make an impact, whether it be big or small. The Pure motto is "Inspire, Lead, Achieve". I feel like this explains exactly what Pure aims to do through their organization and queens.
World Class Beauty Queens: What are you being judged on during the competition?
During this competition contestants were judged on introduction, interview, and evening gown. This was at both state and national level. This year they have done away with introductions and changed the fun fashion to state costume at state pageant only. At the International level, we will compete in each of these categories; however, instead of fun fashion, you compete in a national costume representing your country. There are also many optional competitions contestants can choose to participate in separately. These optionals are judged by a different set of judges at nationals and internationals. They have no effect on your overall score for the for the main competition. Separate awards are handed out for each optional. Some of the optional competitions include talent, runway, spokesmodel, portfolio, photography, videography and many many more. I encourage your readers to go to the Pure International Pageant website to check it out.
World Class Beauty Queens: Tell us about your experience during the competition.
The experience at the Pure National Pageant was amazing! Everyone was so kind and so encouraging. We felt welcomed from the very beginning. You truly feel like a family as soon as you walk through the door. Going to compete for the International title next summer is almost like planning for a family reunion. I'm so excited to see everyone who is returning.
World Class Beauty Queens: Tell us about your platform or what cause do you volunteer for.
My platform is S.T.O.P. Bullying, a program I developed and present to elementary student. I was bullied both physically and emotionally when I was in kindergarten through 2nd grade. It made such a huge impact on my life that I can still get very emotional when I talk about it. My self-esteem and self-confidence was extremely low. I have talked to over 600 people (mostly elementary and middle school students) about the affects of bullying. I want them to see how far I have come and know that if they are being bullied, also, there is hope. They can overcome it. I have written an anti-bullying law that was presented by my local Representative last spring. It did not pass then, but we are still working to try to pass it.
World Class Beauty Queens: What appearances have you done with your title?
With my title, I have judged many local pageants and hosted a Fashion, Food, and Philanthropy fundraiser that benefit two charities. These charities where the Mississippi Miss Amazing pageant and Corinth Crown Club. I have also baked and delivered cookies to local firemen and ACE power on #betheimpact day, to thank them for all they did after a big storm devastated our community. I have also made an appearance and spoke at our local Slug Voice competition.
World Class Beauty Queens: What are some of your achievements?
Some of the achievements that I am most proud include being recognized by the Mississippi State House of Representatives with a Resolution passed in my honor for my efforts and campaigns to stop bullying. I also earned my Girl Scout Gold Award and started a community service organization in 2017 called the Corinth Crown Club. Recently, I was named to my high school's Hall of Fame.
World Class Beauty Queens: What makes you stand out from all those other beautiful girls?
I feel like my passion for giving back to my community sets me apart. Having over 600 community service hours and starting a service organization that is now in its third year of service.
World Class Beauty Queens: Tell us about the moment your name was called out as the winner.
I was so overwhelmed with emotion. I never imagined that I would win a national title. I am so thankful to Pure for such an amazing opportunity.
World Class Beauty Queens: What does it mean to you to be a Beauty Queen?
One of Pure's mottos is "crowned to serve, not to reign". This is truly what it means to be a Beauty Queen. It's not about wearing a crown. It's using the crown to benefit others.
World Class Beauty Queens: How did competing in pageants helped your life?
As a child who was bullied, I never imagined myself competing in pageants. I lacked confidence and self-esteem. Pageants have allowed me to gain confidence in myself and my ability to talk to others.
World Class Beauty Queens: How did pageants helped your self esteem and body image?
Before I started pageants I was very shy and lacked confidence. Since doing pageants I have grown tremendously and have become so much more confident in myself. Pageants helped to put myself out there and push me outside of my comfort zone. They have also shown me to love myself and who I am in my own skin.
World Class Beauty Queens: You are an inspiration to all the girls out there. How does it feel?
I absolutely love knowing that young girls look up to me. I take that responsibility very seriously and want to always be a good role model. I want young girls to know that they can do anything they set their minds too.
World Class Beauty Queens: What is your on stage strategy to win the judges over?
I wouldn't say I have a particular "strategy" on winning the judges over. All I can do is be the best version me and show them who I really am. I personally think being your genuine self and showing the judges who you are is better than any " winning strategy". If you are the girl they are looking for to fulfill this position, they'll learn more about you when they get better see the true you. Judges can tell when someone is trying to be someone they are not. Remain true to you.
World Class Beauty Queens: How did you prepare for your competition?
Get a pageant coach that you feel comfortable with and will be honest with you during your coaching sessions. Video the lessons and watch and practice often. Walk in the shoes you will be wearing on stage and become comfortable in them. I didn't have a set time to practice during the day. If I had 15 minutes, that's when I practiced and made the most of my time.
World Class Beauty Queens: What are your tips for learning better pageant walk?
Personally, I think it is necessary for a girl to walk and become comfortable in her shoes before competing on stage. Also videoing yourself, as you walk, is a very useful tool in order to watch back and see how you are presenting yourself from the viewpoint of the audience and judges. It is easier to see mistakes and learn to fix them that way.
World Class Beauty Queens: What are your tips for choosing right pageant dress?
When choosing a dress I always go with one that makes me feel amazing in it. When you put on your dress for the first time and get "that feeling", you know it's the one. It is more about you feeling beautiful, confident, and comfortable in the dress. You want to wear the dress, not have the dress wearing you. You also don't want a dress to over power or outshine you. Make sure your dress is appropriate for the season and age division. You want to make sure you still look your age.
World Class Beauty Queens: What are your tips for winning interview?
In interview you also want to be yourself. Give honest and unrehearsed answers. The judges want to get to know you, not a rehearsed you. Be able to talk about your platform and know different key points about yourself that you what like to share with the judges. Always stay relaxed in your interview and keep for letting your nerves get to you too much.
World Class Beauty Queens: What is one mistake that you've done during competing you wish you could redo and fix it?
I can honestly say that although my journey has not been perfect, there is nothing that I really look back on and wish I could have changed. I did the best that I knew how to do at the time. I look at everything as a learning opportunity and use it to better myself.
World Class Beauty Queens: What other mistakes are made by girls during the contest?
It's easy to fall into the trap of comparing yourself to others. You think another girl is prettier, more outgoing, has a more beautiful gown, etc. I understand that the outcome of the pageant, of which I am competing, is the opinion of those judges at that time. I stay true to myself, and if I am what they are looking for, that's great. If not, that's ok too. I try never to compare myself to the other contestants.
World Class Beauty Queens: Any modeling or acting experience?
Back in 2017 and 2018, I was given the wonderful opportunity to walk for several designers at New York Fashion Week 2.0, produced by Rene Bionat. I also have done acting at the local theater while in Middle School. I have a funny story about getting started in the theater. I had never done any acting but decided that I would like to try out for the role of Alice in Alice in Wonderland. You can imagine my disappointment when I didn't receive the lead role, but rather was cast as a "caterpillar leg". I was disappointed and wanted to quit, but my parents told me that this is life, and I was expected to follow through with my commitment. The expectation was for me to be the best caterpillar leg. I gave it my all and by the time of the play, I had earned a speaking part. The next play I tried out for what the Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. I was cast in a supporting role of the Unicorn.
World Class Beauty Queens: What are your plans for 2020 as a Queen?
We are hosting the MS/TN/LA State Pageant on January 4 in my hometown of Corinth, MS. We cannot wait to see who the next state queens will be. I will continue my community service and my anti-bullying work. Of course, we will continue to prepare for the International Pageant in July in Columbus, Ohio.
World Class Beauty Queens: What kind of legacy do you want to leave behind?
It is my heart's desire that others will look on my year as being successful and impactful. I want to represent Pure well and bring other people into this amazing organization by sharing the impact that Pure has had on my life. I want other girls to have this incredible opportunity, and my wish is for them to never give up on their dreams. I want everyone to know, though, that you don't have to have a crown to make an impact. I hope to be an inspiration to them, but most of all I want others to see what Christ has done through me and through my platform. He is the true and only reason I have been able to accomplish what I have and have gotten where I am today.
International Director: Mrs. Pat Miller
National Director: Mrs. Pat Miller
Your Local Director: Mrs. Pat Miller and Ms. Christine Pawley
Pageant website: www.pureinternationalpageants.com
World Class Beauty Queens Magazine would like to say thank you for this amazing interview.
Olivia Knight 2019 Pure International Teen America, World Class Beauty Queens Magazine, Dark backdrop Photo by TeeRage Portraits, White backdrop photo by Elizabeth Clary 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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