Tuesday, December 11, 2012

Christmas Parade + an Ode to Pageant Directors...especially mine!

Since being crowned Miss Exquisite International, I have discovered many things I love about the Exquisite International System. My amazing-ambitious-focused SisterQueens, traditional pageant values, focus on volunteerism but most importantly…Madam Director. I knew that Jonzetta “Pinky” Carter was a special kind of lady, but I witnessed her superpowers firsthand at the Baltimore City Mayor’s Annual Christmas Parade on December 2nd.

I have met a few pageant Directors in my day, but none have displayed as much passion for her pageant system as Pinky does. The 2012 Exquisite International Pageant was the first time I met Pinky in person. She did not know me from Adam, but she did know that I had decided to enter her pageant and her appreciation was immediately evident. Since that day, she has gone above and beyond to ensure that her Queens have the resources needed for as best a reign as possible. She was even able to make 8 Corvette convertibles appear out of nearly thin air the day before the Mayor’s Christmas Parade. Now that’s what I call magic!

Shortly before the Parade, Pinky was notified that the accommodations had changed and cars were no longer being provided to all parade participants. Any other Director may have threw and the towel and had a load of disappointed Queens on their hands. But not Pinky! She had promised her Queens that they would be in the Mayor’s Christmas Parade and that is what was going to happen. I can only imagine how much effort went into pulling it off, but if you ask Pinky she will just say “God is good!” Of course I agree, but we only see the end result. All the Queens arrived at the Parade just in time to see the shiny black, red and yellow Corvettes line-up in anticipation. We did not see or hear of the work that went on behind the scenes to make it happen. That day, at the parade, I was once again reminded of how thankful I am to be a part of this system. And to all Directors (local, state, national), THANK YOU for all you do to keep your QUEENS happy! J

<3 Amina Lillie