Here is a video I shot with my friend Candi Reese, and her daughter Krystal Rivet, after I transferred ownership of the Miss Gretna Pageant and Miss West Bank Pageant to them. Since this was shot in 2009, Candi has lost her battle with cancer and has passed on to her Heavenly Home. Before her passing, Candi requested that Chantel Autin (Director of Crescent City Pageantry) and my self to guide and direct her daughter Krystal with the Pageant and Monogrammed business. We are honoring her wishes and will look out for our Pageant sister as she builds her Pageant Business Empire. Candi will be sadly missed in the Louisiana Pageant Industry. In loving memory of Candi Bryant Reese and Debra Freeman Balsamo, past directors of the Miss Gretna Pageant.

Candi Bryant Reese & Krystal Rivette

I talked about puchasing pageants in my book and in “The Complete Director’s Kit”.

A few months ago I was interviewed by Valerie Hayes on Pageant Talk Radio about one of my favorite subjects: Directing Beauty Pageants.

At the time I shot a little video during part of the interview. When the interview took place the Saints were in the middle of the season and undefeated. Since then they went on to win the Super Bowl.

The feeling in New Orleans and the whole Gulf Coast is unbelievable. It is even more intense than winning a pageant. Everyone that is a Saints Fan knows the intense sense of jubilation from the win.

The story of the Saints winning even though the national media ignored them and the Las Vegas odds maker said it was hopeless can be used to inspire any one to keep on striving to reach their goals.

Whether you are entering your first pageant or directing your first pageant believe in yourself and your success. Use the New Orleans Saints as a role model. Drew Brees the quarterback and MVP of the SuperBowl bought copies of the book Finnish Strong for all his fellow players.

You too should strive to finish strong in your endeavors in pageantry.

Check out the full audio interview at Valeries website at this link:

Yours in pageantry

Shelly

Using youtube to market your pageant and queens appearancesobject>object>Miss New Orleans 2010 for Blanket Haiti Foundation

Holly Peek was crowned the 79th annual Miss New Orleans on December 13th, 2009 under the director ship of Shelly Winters Black, director/CEO of the Miss New Orleans Beauty Pageant. The pageant has been produced since 1930. Holly has been making a difference in the city of New Orleans and using the visability of her crown and banner to get her message out about people coming together in making a $10 donation to the blanket haiti foundation.

As we are all experiencing the victory of the New Orleans Saints becoming the Super Bowl world champions, let us not forget the people of Haiti and their need for warmth, food and water. Please help Holly in her quest to Blanket Haiti.

The Miss New Orleans Pageant

http://www.missneworleans.org

Pageant Nation is one of the fastest networking and social sites dedicated to the Pageant Industry. This is a wonderful tool for directors to market their pageant business and photos. Share pageant tips and get contestants in your area. I am so thrilled to be one of their featured members. Join Pageant Nation and stay connected.

Yours In Pageantry,
Shelly Winters Black
http://pageantnation.ning.com/profiles/members/