Donna Ruth Duggan Lile
October 2, 2012
Chabert hit with added cuts and job losses
October 5, 2012
Children’s pageants often create the image of a tiny tot strutting on a stage with enough swagger and makeup to mistake her for a miniature adult, but glitz pageants are not the only type of pageant for young girls to compete in.
The Natural Pageant System allows girls the same experience without the glitz requirements. Girls who compete wear minimal makeup and age appropriate clothes.
Miss Kajun Belle is a natural pageant series created and run by Nicole Trahan, an event planner turned pageant director whose family has been hooked on pageants since her 3-year-old daughter Emma began competing.
“We created it, and we are just seeing where it takes us,” Nicole says. “One of the big things we do is give everybody awards. Even if they come out last, they still leave with a crown, banner or trophy. That is my biggest thing. So they all leave feeling like they won something.”
Nicole says event planning to pageant planning was an easy transition after her family became interested.
“Emma won the first pageant she ever competed in and that was the beginning of it,” Nicole says. “She asks me every single day, is it pageant day? If I say no, she pouts and asks when the next pageant day is. She loves them.”
Recently, Emma competed and won the title of 2012 Tiny Miss Heart of the USA. Miss Heart of the USA is a Natural Pageant System with the motto: “Stomping out Hunger One Pageant/Community at a Time.” Each pageant is a food drive event.
Emma does not compete in Miss Kajun Belle, but she uses the events to collect food items as community service for her Tiny Miss Heart of the USA crown.
When speaking to Emma, her love of pageants is obvious. According to the 3-year-old, trophies are her favorite part of the pageant. She points to her cheek to show how high her last trophy reached on her tiny frame.
She smiles as she says her last pageant had a New Orleans Saints’ theme, so she told the judges “Who dat?” and her next pageant will have a beautiful mermaid theme.
Miss Kajun Belle Fairytale Princess Pageant was on Sept. 16 at the Holiday Inn in Houma.
As the girls, ages 0 to 16, primp in the lobby the room buzzes with excitement.
Adyson Simoneaux, age 4, waits patiently in her turquoise sequined dress while her aunt Linda curls her hair. Adyson says her favorite thing about the pageants is getting dressed up and strutting across the stage.
“She likes to be prissy,” Adyson’s mom Ashley says.
A few steps away, Chelsey Foret straightens her daughter Mylie’s hot pink floral dress. Chelsey explains that Mylie saw a pageant on television and asked about them. Although Mylie is shy, Chelsey says she has done well so far.
“She is at home with me all day so this is a good way for her to socialize and get her confidence up,” Chelsey says. “She still needs to work on coming out of her shell, but I am so proud of her.”
Chelsey says she plans to continue putting Mylie in pageants for as long as she enjoys it.
“I don’t want to be the one standing behind the judges making her do this because then it’s not fun anymore,” Chelsey says.
Heather Norris puts her 7-month-old niece, Charliegh, in pageants for the experience. Preparation for this hot pink and purple, tutu-wearing baby is a good nap.
“She will always have this to look back on when she gets older,” Heather says.
Paula Speer chose the Miss Kajun Belle pageant for her 8-year-old daughter Zoe’s first pageant strictly because it is natural.
“We were inspired by what we saw on TV about pageants and the thought of getting to play dress up and do her hair,” Paula says.
Laura Bergeron says she never wanted her daughters, Topanga and Bryleigh, to do pageants.
“I did them when I was younger and I didn’t like it, but it’s something they want to do and so I’ll support them all the way,” Laura says.
Topanga, age 5, says she loves to win the crown.
Each girl competes in an age category and walks across the stage doing a routine, which includes everything from blowing kisses to running straight across without stopping.
At the end, judges tally the scores and crowns, trophies, banners and other prizes are handed out.
The Miss Kajun Belle Fairytale Princess Pageant collected 715 total food items.
Contestants in the 4-year-old age group pose on stage for judges at the Miss Kajun Belle Fairytale Princess Pageant in Houma.
