From the Desk of Larry & Terry

What is Excellence?

As defined by Wikipedia, “Excellence” is a talent or quality which is unusually good and so surpasses ordinary standards.

Not only does this national office expect Miss Gay America to surpass ordinary standards, but the world expects the same from a Miss Gay America titleholder.

Often times, during Male Interview or On-Stage Question, the contestants are asked to define Excellence and how it related to being Miss Gay America. While we have heard every imaginable answer, we wanted to take this opportunity, and just prior to the coronation of the 44th annual Miss Gay America (or 46th person to be called Miss Gay America) to give you a few words to describe/define Excellence, from the perspective of L & T Entertainment...

Excellence is:

1.       Someone who clearly understands that their primary responsibility is to sustain a legacy and tradition that so many others have worked tirelessly to present. And in such responsibility to sustain, they will clearly embrace/enforce/monitor/patrol/police the regulations of the pageant system.

2.       Someone who realizes that although they have achieved their dream, the learning does not cease with the “crowning moment” but rather merely begins.

3.       Someone who wants to reign supreme.

4.       Someone who can work well with others and see through agenda’s and motives with clear focus on decision that is in the best interest of the pageant system.

5.       Someone willing and able to manage a pageant, as necessary.

6.       Someone willing to “act the part” just as many of those who have reigned before…

7.       Someone willing to “look the part” just as many of those who have reigned before…

8.       Someone who can multi-task.

9.       Someone who can provide follow-up to even the most minor details.

10.   Someone who is punctual at ALL times.

11.   Someone who can be an effective public speaker.

12.   Someone who does not get easily frustrated and can work with all to find a solution that is in the best interest of the pageant system.

13.   Someone who has “thick skin”… to be able to accept criticism, consider the source and apply constructive criticism as necessary.

14.   Someone who is beautiful on the inside.

15.   Someone who is beautiful on the outside.

16.   Someone who can be counselor to the contestants.

17.   Someone who can be counselor to the promoters.

18.   Someone who can serve as mediator between the national office and “the field”

19.   Someone who can be assertive yet calming during crisis situations.

20.   Someone who can ensure the promoters that this is a team effort and that all will be done, as much as possible to ensure that their contest is managed fairly and efficiently.

21.   Someone who thinks before they speak.

22.   Someone who can improvise when a situation is present that may not be the most ideal environment

23.   Someone who can enforce a regulation without arrogance so that all know that such rule enforcement is for the best interest of the pageant system.

24.   Someone who can put the needs of others before their own

25.   Someone who can observe the competition, watch the panel of Judges, keep an eye on the emcees and monitor the overall operations of the pageant for compliance of rules and regulations as applicable

26.   Someone who is confident yet humble

27.   Someone who is personable and approachable

28.   Someone who can adapt to change

29.   Someone who is willing to learn from others

30.   Someone who realizes that they have been chosen to be part of something that is far greater than their individual ego/personality

31.   Someone who has attention to detail in all aspects.

32.   Someone who puts the well being of the pageant system as priority

33.   Someone who carefully plans each performance with pre-thought of music, choreography and costuming.

34.   Someone who clearly understands the expectations of a Miss Gay America relative to physical appearance, and delivers such appearance with attention to every detail including, hair, make-up, jewelry, costuming and shoes.

35.   Someone who respects the title of Miss Gay America much more than the prestige and money that is associated with wearing the crown.

36.   Someone who is willing to help grow the Miss Gay America Pageant System in numbers of Promoters, Contestants and Audience

37.   Someone who is willing to sacrifice a year of their life in order to help others achieve their dream

38.   Someone who is willing to make their mark in gay history as one of the world's most prestigious female impersonators

39.   Someone who is a leader

40.   Someone who is a positive role model

41.   Someone who excels at the art of female impersonation

42.   Someone who has an ability to conquer the day to day administrative responsibilities

43.   Someone who is talented and has the ability to capture the attention of the audience with each and every performance.

44.   Someone with a desire to make a positive impact on the title of Miss Gay America and is willing to work daily to make such a positive impact

45.   Someone who recognizes their strengths and weaknesses, both on-stage and off-stage and strives daily to enhance their illusion AND their male persona.

If the above sounds familiar, it should because it not only describes the qualities of Miss Gay America 2015 Blair Williams but it also described many of the other former Miss Gay America titleholders. Additionally, it should describe all of those vying for the title of Miss Gay America 2016, or at least the openness to overcome, in short order, any shortfall to the items mentioned above.  As one can tell, it is not an easy task to live up to the expectation of “excellence”… not every person is meant to become the nation’s leading Symbol of Excellence. The job of this national office is to school the next Miss Gay America to be all that many of us expect, so this year, just as the most recent 10 whereby we have owned and managed this national pageant system, we hope that the judges can clearly see through to the core of each contestant, to clearly identify the best possible candidate who exudes most of the above mentioned.

So to all of the 54 Qualified Contestants of the Miss Gay America 2016 Pageant we ask you... Are you EXCELENCE?

Until next time!

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