World Class Beauty Queens Magazine would like to welcome amazing Queen Vida Hargrett Mrs. South Florida America 2020.
Full name: Vida Hargrett
Title/Year: Mrs. South Florida America 2020
Pageant System: Mrs. America Organization
Age: 34
Zodiac sign: Aries
Hobbies: Attending drive-in movies, Coaching collegiate cheerleading, and Experimenting with new cooking recipes
Platform: “No More Shame On You” - Ending the Stigma Associated With Mental Illness
Years competed: I have been competing in pageantry for 22 years.
Countries visited: Bahamas, Jamaica, and Thailand
Likes: Traveling, Action movies, and Celebrating birthdays
Dislikes: Insects, Discrimination, and Being cold
Status: 8 years happily married
World Class Beauty Queens: Please tell us about yourself.
My name means life in the Spanish language and this sums up my vivacious personality. I’m a loving wife to Adidas superstar and track and field Olympic trial finalist Chrisdon Hargrett and we have two amazing children, Chrisdon II (7) and Brookelyn (5). When I’m not doing homework or singing the latest JoJo Siwa song with my daughter, most of my hours are committed to my career as a mental health therapist. I have a love for people and the world around me which is why I take pride in a number of philanthropic endeavors. I am an ambassador for the National Alliance on Mental Illness, American Heart Association, and the national spokesperson for the Mesothelioma Awareness Foundation.
World Class Beauty Queens: What does women Empowerment means to you? When I hear the word empowerment, I hear the word power. And so when we speak of women’s empowerment, in my opinion, it is about altering society’s mindset of the woman’s role and improving their power structure.
World Class Beauty Queens: Tell us about your pageant history. I have been competing in pageantry for roughly 22 years and it has been a life transforming experience since day one. I’ve held numerous titles in various systems, but since being wedded I was the first African American woman to be crowned Mrs. Florida United States in 2014. In 2017 I went on to capture the title of Mrs. Florida International and placed top 10 at the Mrs. International pageant. In 2019 I as awarded 1st runner up at the Mrs. Florida America state pageant in Orlando, Florida.
World Class Beauty Queens: What inspired you to do your first pageant? I was introduced to the world of pageantry at the age of 12 when I joined a scholarship pageant just for fun. I was pleasantly surprised when I won. My mom was glowing with excitement because of the scholarship endorsement, but I was just happy to have a sparkly accessory placed on my head! I think it’s pretty safe to say in that moment, I attracted the “pageant bug” and the rest is history.
World Class Beauty Queens: Why did you choose to compete for your current title? As a mother, wife, and a mental health therapist, inclusivity is so important to me and this systems motto is “We Are Family”. It is accepting toward people from all walks of life which is something I stand for every single day. To be able to represent the entire southern part of Florida and become a potential ambassador for our state with a platform such as the Mrs. America Organization was something I felt very strongly about.
World Class Beauty Queens: To those unfamiliar with your pageant system please tell us what is it about? The Mrs. Florida America pageant, Florida’s state preliminary to the Mrs. America pageant, is truly the Sunshine State’s premiere Mrs. pageant. It was established to honor married women throughout the state of Florida in the age range of at least 18 years old. The winner goes on to compete at Mrs. America and then potentially Mrs. World. It is under the directorship of Mrs. Florida America 1993, Mrs. Jacqueline Siegel. The Mrs. Florida America’s official charity is Victoria’s Voice, in collaboration with The Victoria Siegel Foundation.
World Class Beauty Queens: What are you being judged on during the competition? The interview accounts for 50% of your overall score and is broken down into two areas: Beauty/Photogenic and Poise/Personality. The swimsuit and evening gown both account for 25% for each phase of competition.
World Class Beauty Queens: Tell us about your experience during the competition. It was a world class experience since day one of me joining the Florida America family. As a contestant, I felt fully prepared and aware of my expectations as a result of constant communication from the pageant staff and the pageant events that lead up to the competition. Alongside the lines of having such a huge support system. Being on stage and hearing the roar of excitement from my family and friends made the overall experience one that I will never forget.
World Class Beauty Queens: Tell us about your platform or what cause do you volunteer for. My platform is entitled, No More Shame On You and it is centered around eradicating the stigma associated with mental illness. I have partnered with the National Alliance of Mental Illness (NAMI) and have worked diligently with this amazing organizing for over a decade now. As a mental health therapist it is my mission to join my personal commitment alongside my professional expertise to assist in normalizing the conversation on mental health.
World Class Beauty Queens: What appearances have you done with your title? I am a firm believer that every opportunity to make an appearance is one to make an impression. With this in mind I have traveled over 20,000 miles to various cities, states, and even countries promoting my P.U.S.H. campaign (Persist Until Something Happens). I’ve had the opportunity to appear as a guest on the Dr. Oz show in New York City as Mrs. South Florida America, I also traveled to Thailand and made an appearance at the Miss Universe competition, I participated in the 5K Run in support of the Florida Initiative for Suicide Prevention Inc. and most recently I was able to travel to the Virgin Islands as the reigning Mrs. South Florida America 2020.
World Class Beauty Queens: What are some of your achievements? I pride myself on being able to collaborate with charitable organizations and utilize my life for the greater good. I was chosen as the National Spokesperson for the Mesothelioma Awareness Foundation in 2017, an advocate for the National Alliance on Mental Illness, and founder of my own campaign entitled P.U.S.H. (Persist Until Something Happens). As Mental Health clinician for the past 10 years, I was chosen as a lead therapist and have served in this role for roughly 3 years.
World Class Beauty Queens: What makes you stand out from all those other beautiful girls? I know where I’m from and I have a great insight on exactly where I plan to go. My confidence comes not from always being right, but from not fearing to be wrong, which speak volume and will always allow one to stand out.
World Class Beauty Queens: Tell us about the moment your name was called out as the winner. After competing for a number of years and capturing many titles, that winning moment feels brand new each and every time it happens. As a Mrs. contestant the first face I see is my son and my daughter’s. To see their smiles light up in excitement after hearing my name is a feeling that is indescribable.
World Class Beauty Queens: What does it mean to you to be a Beauty Queen? The beauty of being a “beauty queen” is having the opportunity to serve. I have touched so many lives with my words, time, commitment, and love as a titleholder. Heavy is the crown and yet a true queen wears it as if it were a feather. A queen holds strength in her heart, determination in her eyes, and the will to survive in her soul.
World Class Beauty Queens: How did competing in pageants helped your life? I have become a woman of substance. One who embraces her imperfections, speaks with assurance, and can be in a room full of dignitaries and stand with confidence. Pageantry has taught me so many life lessons not only about myself, but also the world around me.
World Class Beauty Queens: How did pageants helped your self-esteem and body image? I’ve always been a person with confidence and self assurance however; pageants has taught me that each time we face our fear, we gain strength, courage, and assurance and this has elevated my confidence as a person and a professional.
World Class Beauty Queens: You are an inspiration to all the girls out there. How does it feel? Amazing! To know my actions, my words, and my being is affecting someone in a positive way grants me the satisfaction of knowing that God’s will is being done through me and that is why I’m here.
World Class Beauty Queens: What is your on stage strategy to win the judges over? To be completely honest, my strategy begins before the stage, it starts in the interview room. I feel this is where the judges get a feel of who I am and what I stand for. The stage is just where I tend to seal the deal, lol!!
World Class Beauty Queens: How did you prepare for your competition? Competing as a Mrs. affects my entire household, so the first thing that was done was creating a budget. If you’ve competed in the sport of pageantry, then you know the many expenses that come along with this industry. I also prepared spiritually and mentally. There was a great deal of faith and mental training that I engaged in before allowing my heels to hit the stage. From having mock interviews with hubby, to fine tuning my paperwork. I am able to compete with ease once I’ve exhausted every measure necessary to showcase the best version of myself.
World Class Beauty Queens: What are your tips for learning better pageant walk? Practice, practice, and more practice. I would like to say that I was born with a Naomi Campbell walk, but I wouldn’t be being honest. Just like anything else practice and persistence is key.
World Class Beauty Queens: What are your tips for choosing right pageant dress? Color, cut and style is what’s most important to me in choosing a gown. It’s key to find a dress that compliments your skin tone, figure, and personality.
World Class Beauty Queens: What are your tips for winning interview? Preparing for an interview, is almost like participating in a therapy session. You really have to dive deep in your thoughts and feelings about yourself, your beliefs, and the world around you. This is when you will become the most comfortable with speaking about yourself and expressing your opinions.
World Class Beauty Queens: What is one mistake that you've done during competing you wish you could redo and fix it? Nothing at all. Have I made mistakes while competing, absolutely, but would I want to redo and fix it, absolutely not. Every time my feet have touched a stage, I have grown immensely and have taken away a life’s lesson. This includes being victorious and making silly mistakes, but I embrace each equally.
World Class Beauty Queens: What other mistakes are made by girls during the contest? I think the biggest mistake some competitors make is comparing. As humans it is natural for us to compare and contrast however; it is so important to have complete control over your thoughts. The worse thing one can do is get in their own head and defeat themselves before they even have a chance to showcase their greatest potential.
World Class Beauty Queens: Any modeling or acting experience? Throughout the years I have had the opportunity to model for a great deal of designers. I feel very honored to have been named the official ambassador for Fashion for a Cause.
World Class Beauty Queens: What are your plans for 2019 as a Queen? As Mrs. South Florida my mission is to continue working alongside the National Alliance on Mental Illness in integrating mental health into our school systems. Education officials proposed the change within the state of Florida this past June and it is my goal to hit the ground running so that all 50 states are on board with this life changing initiative.
World Class Beauty Queens: What kind of legacy do you want to leave behind? A legacy of standards. To be a titleholder one must understand that it requires more than simply winning a competition, this is a job, one that requires commitment and sacrifice. I would like to leave a legacy of being a devoted mother, wife, philanthropist, and an active ambassador for the Florida America pageant. It is my desire to be remembered for the impact that I have made, not to make my presence noticed, just to make my absence felt.
International Director: David & Elaine Marmel
National Director: David & Elaine Marmel
Your Local Director: Jacqueline Siegel
Pageant website: Mrsflamerica.com World Class Beauty Queens Magazine would like to say thank you for this amazing interview.
Vida Hargrett Mrs. South Florida America 2020, World Class Beauty Queens Magazine, Photo by George GwPhotography Wakefield
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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