World Class Beauty Queens Magazine would like to welcome amazing Queen Victoria Wigginton USA's Heart of Spirit 2019.
Full name: Victoria Wigginton
Title/Year: USA's Heart of Spirit 2019
Pageant System: Miss Spirit Organization
Age: 38
Zodiac sign: Scorpio
Hobbies: Cooking, Writing, Gardening, Hiking
Platform: Acute Flaccid Myelitis Awareness
Years competed: 4
Countries visited: US, Canada, Mexico, Dominican Republic
Likes: Home cooked meals, Animals, Hiking, Gardening, Fall
Status: Married
World Class Beauty Queens: Please tell us about yourself.
I'm a wife and mom to 3 children, 2 boys and a girl. My husband and I started our own Mini Farm and we have Pigs, Goats and chickens. Right now, I'm taking care of everything at home as he is away in the Army, but when he is home he is also a police officer. I love cooking and the smell of fresh cooked bread is one of my favorite smells.
World Class Beauty Queens: What does women Empowerment means to you?
Women Empowerment is showing others they can accomplish anything, regardless of what the stigmatism around that might be. It is making everyone feel strong enough to achieve whatever they hope to.
World Class Beauty Queens: Tell us about your pageant history.
I don't have the longest history, especially for being an older competitor. When I was younger I did spend the year as my town's Fire Queen. But it wasn't till 2017 that I did my first real pageant. I didn't know what to expect. But the focus on community service and the sisterhood that is a part of the organization I joined is what kept me returning. My first title I won was Mrs. Spirit of Colonial 2017. I went on to compete for the State and National Title that year, and walked away with amazing memories and a lot of what I needed to do to make myself better. I then was crowned Mrs. Spirit of the Northeast and went on to compete for the National Title. This past July I was crowned USA's Heart of Spirit.
World Class Beauty Queens: What inspired you to do your first pageant?
My daughter is what got me to do my first pageant. She asked me to do one with her. I fought against it for a bit, thinking I wasn't the best representation, but she really wanted me to join her. I didn't her to see a negative self image, so I signed up and was very surprised when my name was called.
World Class Beauty Queens: Why did you choose to compete for your current title?
I have been with the Miss Spirit Organization for many years, and felt that winning a National Title with this organization would be truly amazing. Community service and being involved is strived for. But my current title was extra special. It's actually the Inaugural year for this title. Not only is it a national title, but it focuses on the main meaning of being a Spirit queen. It is about the true focus of community service and being a great sister queen.
World Class Beauty Queens: To those unfamiliar with your pageant system please tell us what is it about?
The Miss Spirit Organization focuses on Community Service and involvement. Each girl in the organization has a platform that they work towards, but they also spend time helping each other with what is important to them.
World Class Beauty Queens: What are you being judged on during the competition?
Prior to pageant weekend, we are expected to have completed a certain amount of community service. Once there, we have a private interview that we sit with each judge for a set period of time. This is followed by the mandatory stage portion which involved Swim/Fitness, Runway Fashion and Gown. There are optionals, but those scores do not count towards titles.
World Class Beauty Queens: Tell us about your experience during the competition.
I can honestly say I've not had a negative experience competing in this system! Most of the women you meet are there to help each other. Many times you'll turn and see one girl having a wardrobe malfunction and about 3-4 other women, even in the same division, working to help get them ready. Be it giving outfits to replace things or sew. In my division we've been seen dancing with each other in the wings waiting for our turn.
World Class Beauty Queens: Tell us about your platform or what cause do you volunteer for.
My platform is "Acute Flaccid Myelitis Awareness." AFM is a rare neurological disease that is fairly new in the news. My own son was impacted by this rare disease in 2014, and was paralyzed from the neck down. We lived in many hospitals and attended endless hours of rehab so that he could re-learn to walk, sit up and eat on his own. Because it is rare, there hasn't been much research on best courses of rehab or what is causing this in some kids. So I have worked with other parents and even traveled to Washington DC to discuss with legislators, CDC and NIH to get a push for further research.
Other than that important cause, I've also been involved with the Capital District Breast Cancer Association, Autism Awareness Association of the Capital District, Regional Food Bank, Elk's Veterans events and so much more.
World Class Beauty Queens: What appearances have you done with your title?
I've been trying to stay busy with my title so far. I have attended the New York State Fair, many local parades for holidays, Veteran's Day Parade, Veteran's Dinner, Various fairs around New York State, Holiday Parade, and I'm also scheduled to do Wreath's Across America. I'm always looking to get out and do more.
World Class Beauty Queens: What are some of your achievements?
I was honored to have won the Spirit Award by Pageantry Magazine along with my daughter. We also were awarded the Military Family of the Year by our local Elk's Lodge for all our community service we do.
World Class Beauty Queens: What makes you stand out from all those other beautiful girls?
What makes me stand out is that I'm not like everyone else. I'm not your picture queen. I'm a mom of 3 that has been battling thyroid disease. But I've never given up! I continue to show that you can be beautiful and love yourself for who you are.
World Class Beauty Queens: Tell us about the moment your name was called out as the winner.
I honestly was in complete shock. I first was standing up there with 2 other amazing and much deserving ladies. Then I was standing forehead to forehead with a sister queen who I am lucky to call an amazing friend. I told her I was so excited for her. When my name was called I kind of stood there. I'm still in shock, but am loving every minute.
World Class Beauty Queens: What does it mean to you to be a Beauty Queen?
Being a Beauty Queen to me means always showing your best self! I love helping everyone feel just as beautiful as they are.
World Class Beauty Queens: How did competing in pageants helped your life?
Competing in pageants has helped in my interview skills. It gave me the confidence to stand on the floor of our nation's capital and request them to increase awareness for my platform and make myself feel better.
World Class Beauty Queens: How did pageants helped your selfesteem and body image?
Pageants has helped me learn to love myself for who I am, not the size I am. I have learned to be proud of all that I have accomplished but to also continue to improve myself.
World Class Beauty Queens: You are an inspiration to all the girls out there. How does it feel?
A lot of the time I don't realize how much of an inspiration I am, until I see little girls come up to me and want to say hi. Or the little girls that are shy behind their mother's. It makes me smile, but it also makes me realize how much more I need to show these ladies that they can always achieve what they put time, effort and work into.
World Class Beauty Queens: What is your on stage strategy to win the judges over?
On stage I try to show the judges that I am having fun and enjoying being myself on stage. I also make sure I spend time focusing on each judge when I am at the end of the runway.
World Class Beauty Queens: How did you prepare for your competition?
I spend a lot of time preparing with my daughter. We go over interview questions, walks. I look at various outfits and spend time trying to find what I feel the most confident in.
World Class Beauty Queens: What are your tips for learning better pageant walk?
I always practice walks for the various phases in the shoes I'm planning on wearing for it. How I walk for Runway is usually a bit more spunky, so I practice it with the shoes till I feel confident in it. Then I do the same for my walk in Gown. I'll also record it to be sure I like what it looks like.
World Class Beauty Queens: What are your tips for choosing right pageant dress?
I try on so many dresses. I walk in them, I take pictures in them. Then I walk away and look at them again later. If I'm still liking how I look and feel in them, I'll go back to that gown. I have done impulse gown buys in the past, and then a week or so later I'm back looking for the gown I want.
I also try to find gowns that suits my body type and I feel confident and comfortable in. The judges are not simply looking for the most stunning gown on the stage, but the one that makes the person wear it have the best poise and look the most stunning because their confidence shows.
World Class Beauty Queens: What are your tips for winning interview?
Always smile and allow the judges to get to know you. This is the few minutes that these judges get to know who you are. What they see on stage will not allow them the chance to learn who you are, why you are doing this and everything. So let your why show through in your interview, and allow them to see your confidence in yourself.
World Class Beauty Queens: What is one mistake that you've done during competing you wish you could redo and fix it?
My mistake I made, and still have caught myself doing, is rushing myself on stage. The time I am on the stage is mine to let the judges see me in a different way then in interview. However, I wouldn't give myself the full time and rush off, making myself look less confident in myself.
World Class Beauty Queens: What other mistakes are made by girls during the contest?
Other than rushing their time on stage, I've seen many girls not try to engage the judges. Also, I've seen ladies get outfits that do not fit the requirements stated for the phase of competition. Many girls need to read about the system they are joining and be sure they can discuss this system with judges, and show the phases as stated.
World Class Beauty Queens: Any modeling or acting experience?
I've never had any modeling experience. My only acting was being a part of my high schools Drama Club.
World Class Beauty Queens: What are your plans for 2020 as a Queen?
I'm looking forward to getting more involved in the community. I'm continually looking for events and appearances in all the states, to be sure to take this title across the entire USA.
World Class Beauty Queens: What kind of legacy do you want to leave behind?
The legacy I want to leave behind is that I worked hard for and with my title and that I was always busy and involved in my community and volunteering.
International Director: Amanda Daley
National Director: Amanda Daley
Your Local Director: Amanda Daley
Pageant website: https://www.facebook.com/missspiritoftheusa/
World Class Beauty Queens Magazine would like to say thank you for this amazing interview.
Victoria Wigginton USA's Heart of Spirit 2019, World Class Beauty Queens Magazine, Photo Courtesy of Michael A.Panzarino of M.A.P. Graphics
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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