Pageant builds lifelong qualities in young ladies

It’s a Cinderalla story –

BULLHEAD CITY – “Miss Denise (Swartzman) brought Cinderella to Arizona overall in 1983,” said Gevey Vaughn, Director of Northwest Mohave Cinderella International Scholarship Pageant. “International winners want to come to our week; Arizona is the envy of all of the states,” she added. Vaughn is pulling together all the elements for the local competition on April 2, including visiting international royalty, the girls who’ve won on global stages, as mentors.

Vaughn’s passion is inspiring confidence in kids, whether in this personal volunteer leadership position, her professional role as the Youth Coordinator for Arizona Youth Partnership or even as a Girl Scout leader. On an even deeper personal level, Vaughn was raised in less-than-ideal circumstances. “I want to be that person that I needed when I was younger,” she said, including as a role model for her daughter. Vaughn’s on a mission to “utilize these programs to empower girls and women.”

“If I didn’t believe wholeheartedly in it,” Gevey said, “I wouldn’t have stepped in as director last August.” And she certainly wouldn’t have allowed her daughter to participate. “My daughter, 11 years old now, won Overall Baby first time competing,” she added. Sophia has earned 10 awards, recognitions and honors since that first award in 2012.

When the contestants do model clothes, such as casual and party wear, “it’s to show poise and grace,” said Vaughn, as they learn to carry themselves with confidence. “Their talent doesn’t have to be dance or singing. The Cinderella definition is the ability to entertain,” whether that’s “knock-knock jokes, juggling, ventriloquism, speed painting,” whatever, she added.

“As a community, several people have stepped up and are helping on the back end for the day of the pageant,” Vaughn said. Emcee Isabella Bardett is from the Lake Havasu chapter. “Running behind-the-scene technical” elements is Trevor Long of Long Gone Escapes, with Deann Sites filling the role of tabulator. “I also have Cassandra Lapinsky, of DB&G Dance Studio, helping backstage with the girls.” The three judges’ identities are embargoed until the competition.

Speaking of community, expect to run into the participants at events more often. Within the Cinderella organization, winners are considered royalty, and they have royal duties. “As often as we can, we try to get them into the community,” said Vaughn, including Shop With A Cop, the Suicide Prevention and Awareness Walk and the pictured National Hot Dog Day, among many others. “They’re always welcome to do events on their own,” even expected to. Having familiarized herself with existing and updated guidelines, “this coming year with be different,” including requiring the girls to sign a contract “to adhere to expectations,” said Vaughn.

While the state competition is a weekend, the local event on April 2 is a one-day event and will include everything that every level of competition includes: a backstage interview, party wear, casual and talent for the older girls. The competitors are divided into six age brackets: Baby (infant to age 3), Tot (3-6yo), Miniature Miss (7-9yo), Miss (10-12yo), Teen (13-17yo) and Woman (18-29yo). The youngest participants are viewed in different settings, such as toy play, with a guardian present.

Although everyone has to compete locally to go on to state, not everyone has to win locally to go on to state. “A different judge may see something different,” said Vaughn, or a girl may have an “off” day at locals. Local and state competitions culminate in international pageantry each January, with five new Cinderellas  crowned within their age groups, as they have since 1977. The young ladies honor a peaceful transition of power by participating in it.

“Cinderella is for ages 0 to 29; it’s not limited after age 18,” said Vaughn, since the opportunity to earn scholarship money is a draw. Additionally, “it’s not to be compared to Toddlers in Tiaras,” said Vaughn. “It’s a youth development program to build the strongest, most confident women that we can. Most importantly, to be kind; build friendships, lifelong sisterhoods.”

For those who want to “get a sense of what the program entails,” said Vaughn, competition attendance is $5 per person.

Participants can register by March 26 by reaching out to Vaughn at 928-444-9431 or NWMohaveCountyCinderella@gmail.com.

Juliette Cowall