| MPA |
What made
you enter MPA? |
| Esther |
I have a God-given mission to help young ladies
develop a healthy self-esteem and to discover a rich personal
love for themselves that will propel them to be anything in
which they DREAM. Ultimately, my purpose is to help people
define, refine and/or implement their brand or purpose.
Therefore, I find myself asking, “how can one truly live out a
brand or a purpose if they have no true self-concept or worth?”
I realized in the fall of 2009 that I needed a
“key” to unlock the door to the nation. I have an urgency to
reach people beyond my immediate community. With my
understanding of the power of pageantry, especially at a
national level, I started searching on the internet for a
pageant system that was in direct alignment with my values and
personal brand. It was immediately obvious that MPA was the way
in which I would gain national access and be able to make the
difference in which I was purposed.
No pressure.
Right? Now the REAL work begins and I am EXCITED about the
journey ahead of me. I want and expect the nation to hold me
accountable for the title and crown in which I now wear! After
all I sought and earned the opportunity to be YOUR queen – it
only makes sense that I do something extraordinary with it! |
| MPA |
How did
you feel as you were traveling to the pageant? |
| Esther |
I was just excited about getting there. I had worked really hard
in preparation for the pageant and I knew I was ready. I was
full of anticipation and was ready to see what pageant week
would be like.
Believe it or not I am what I refer to as an “Introverted
Extravert”; so I promised myself to meet as many people as
possible along this leg of the journey. I forced myself to talk
to perfect strangers as I travelled to Monroe, Louisiana and
enjoyed learning and listening to those in which I came in
contact. Besides, it was a great distraction to the greater
mission and destination at hand. |
| MPA |
What was
your favorite part of the pageant? |
| Esther |
Sharing the private and more personal networking and
fellowshipping times with the many special ladies that took the
time to get to know me and vice versa. The ultimate high was
when several people (they know who they are) expressed the fact
that they could see God’s purpose working through me. That let
me know that my steps were ordered and that I was being obedient
to HIS will by participating in MPA. It further let me know that
MPA is the “real deal” and that Melissa and her team is truly
‘ministry in action’. Such a rare find in the world of
pageantry!
J |
| MPA |
Tell us
about the new friends you made. |
| Esther |
While I hope to remain in contact with all of the MPA delegates.
I would like to send a QF7 (ya’ll know what that means) shout
out to: Shavon, Monique, Stephanie, Lori, Ensie, Lou, Dona,
Tiffany, Erika, Vivian, Susan, Rae, Marliceia, Lindsay and
Kelli. I am sending and extra special sisterly MPA and QF7 hug
to: Myisha, Evelyn, and Latasha. I can’t forget my hometown
girls – Key and Daiquiri |
| MPA |
What was
the toughest part of the competition? |
| Esther |
Remembering my lines for my “Got Faith” commercial in the
optional competition. That commercial meant so much to me and it
was definitely an opportunity to minister via my poetry/spoken
word talent. I think I put a lot of unnecessary pressure on
myself to get it right. I am curious if my FRIENDS at Primetime
have disposed of the “blooper” footage in which I provided
during rehearsal when I just couldn’t seem to get it together?
If I am lucky, the world will never know! tee-hee! |
| MPA |
What was
the most difficult question to answer in interview? |
| Esther |
All of the questions were easy. I actually enjoyed the interview
process and was sad to see it end. While I understand why it had
to be so short I could have sat with the judges for another good
20 to 30 minutes. I know, pretty sick, huh? |
| MPA |
How did
you feel during the opening number? |
| Esther |
Honestly? The opening number was half over by the time I landed
on stage. Therefore, I was relieved to not have the pressure of
remembering all the steps. I just kept thinking, “it’s
ShowTime!” Next thing I knew we were clapping and walking off
stage and into the audience. I think we looked great because it
sure felt GREAT and the audience was so responsive!
J |
| MPA |
What was
the mood back-stage? |
| Esther |
Amazingly so, the mood was so different than any other pageant
system I’ve ever witnessed. The MPA staff did a wonderful job at
setting a standard of EXCELLENCE. Furthermore, we understood the
expectation of all delegates to conduct themselves in this same
nature of EXCELLENCE during competition week and beyond. Long
before we set foot in Louisiana we had begun establishing a
sisterhood, a true sisterhood, and it was evidenced by our
interactions with each other. While everyone was focused on
doing their personal best – many of the delegates took the time
to help another MPA sister out - whether it was by extending a
smile; fanning each other (it was REALLY hot back stage
(actually it was HOT everywhere); giving a hug or a high five;
tucking a tag; straightening an outfit; or giving a special word
of encouragement! |
| MPA |
What was the first thing that went through
your mind when you heard your name called? |
|
Esther |
I didn’t hear my name. I heard the 1st runner-up’s name called
and it wasn’t my name - at which point I knew I had won! I
thought, “Oh my goodness………...”everything after that moment was
pretty much an “out of body experience.” I will update this
question when my feet hit the ground; meanwhile, I am on cloud
nine! |
| MPA |
Describe
your crowning moment. |
| Esther |
In a word- “AMAZING!” |
| MPA |
What
plans do you have for your year's reign? |
| Esther |
To do significant work surrounding my platform; to promote MPA
and its mission; to interact with the public across the nation;
to learn more about Esther Renee Brandon; to complete another
marathon (all 26.2 miles); and to create a phenomenal QF7
legacy! |
| MPA |
How do
you plan to promote your platform? |
| Esther |
There are so many
goals in which I look forward to achieving during my year of
service and as an activist for my platform issue(s). It is my
sincere desire to serve in the duality of (1) making general
appearances and (2) promoting my specific platform.
As a representative
of the Miss Plus America Pageant system, I envision myself
making at least two appearances a month in venues and for
promotions that will help propel the purpose and vision of the
Miss Plus America Pageant system. I believe this can be and
thus far has been successfully achieved via appearances at
fashion shows, local/statewide festivals and conventions,
special events, and other MC/speaking opportunities that enable
me to represent the pageant system and its tenets both proudly
and professionally.
It is exciting to
have a platform that demonstrates a direct nexus to the values
and ideologies of the Miss Plus America Pageant. With that said,
I am committed to producing/participating in a minimum of one
special event a month that directly focuses on my platform.
Below is just a sampling of how this is being and will continue
to be accomplished during my year of reign:
n
Conducting story time (K-3) with “the Queen”
n
Facilitating age appropriate workshops that
explore various aspects of “loving” yourself
n
Setting up and facilitating “real beauty” arts and
crafts centers at high profile summer festivals.
n
Conducting self-developed boot-camps regarding
self-esteem with intact groups of young females (Girl Scouts;
Children Services; YWCA; Big Brother/Big Sisters; etc…)
n
Serving as a keynote speaker for events that
directly relate to the self-esteem/healthy lifestyle platform
n
Participating in and then documenting experiences
that directly relate to living a healthy lifestyle via both a
blog and securing an ongoing featured article space in a
newspaper/magazine
n
Attending/participating in ‘healthy lifestyle’
related events:
o
Health fairs
Training for a fall or winter marathon and blogging about
experience (recruit others to train with me) |
| MPA |
What
advice would you give to anyone looking to enter the Miss Plus
America pageant? |
| Esther |
In a phrase – “Go for it!” It could quite possibly be one of the
best experiences you’ll ever have in your lifetime. I know it
was for me. If you do it for the right reason(s) and with the
best intention(s) – you’ll be blessed by the experience. Your
reason(s)/intention(s) don’t have to be to win the crown; the
experience and personal growth in which you gain is a “crown”
within itself. By participating, you will discover that you are
a BEAUTIFUL QUEEN within your own rights! |
