Smyrna is the new home to the Mrs. Delaware United States Pageant which will be held at the Smyrna Opera House on May 15, 2010.
Pageant Director Siouxzan Moore said the Opera House was selected for a variety of reasons.
“There are several factors we look for when we plan our event and the Smyrna Opera House not only had the historic beauty and class that we like to bring to our event but a great location as well,” said Moore. “We hope to keep bringing our state pageant back to this great location every year.”
The reigning Mrs. Delaware United States Marci McNair agreed that the Opera House will suit the pageant well.
“I judged an event for a Miss Delaware local pageant two years ago at the Smyrna Opera House, and the building is so unique,” McNair said. “It’s a fabulous place for interviews. There are plenty of rooms in addition to the auditorium where the stage is, and the auditorium is really pretty. Plus, there's the practicality of having the event in Smyrna because it’s centrally located.”
Moore encourages married women from the Smyrna-Clayton area to enter the event to represent their respective towns in the statewide pageant. Currently, there is no preliminary pageant before the state pageant. Moore said the titles of “Mrs. Smyrna” and “Mrs. Clayton” can be obtained by applying through the website under “at-large,” and other titles are also available.
The pageant is an opportunity for women to showcase their community service beliefs and efforts, their accomplishments, and their beauty – both inside and out, Moore said.
“It is also an opportunity to do something for you and meet other amazing married women throughout the state,” she added.
The slogan of the Mrs. Delaware United States Pageant is “Complete Woman…Total Beauty.”
About Mrs. Delaware United States Marci McNair
“The Mrs. Delaware United States Pageant contestant is confident, intelligent, successful, and beautiful,” said Moore, who added that those qualities are certainly evident in 2009 Mrs. Delaware United States Marci McNair.
McNair graduated from Widener University School of Law on the Dean’s List. At Widener, she participated in the Delaware Civil Clinic where she found her true calling: representing victims of domestic violence. One of her most prized possessions is the Certificate of Achievement for her outstanding work in the Civil Clinic. After passing the Delaware Bar Examination on the first try, she accepted a job at Delaware Volunteer Legal Services which provides free legal services through Delaware Family Court to victims of domestic violence. In addition to her service at DVLS, McNair also volunteers to represent the best interests of abused children in Family Court.
In August 2007, she married Kevin McNair, an information technology executive for a major corporation who gives back to the community by volunteering as a K9 search and rescue handler. Marci has joined her husband in training Rocco, their German Shepherd, to assist police and rescue agencies searching for lost persons or those missing due to catastrophes.
Why did she decide to enter the Mrs. Delaware Pageant?
“It was just a natural fit,” said McNair. “I competed in the Miss Pennsylvania Pageant before I was married. I like getting dressed up. I like being a girly girl.”
McNair grew up in Pennsylvania, and went to Lehigh University for her undergraduate degree. She moved to Delaware after she was married.
“I knew I still wanted to compete in pageants,” she said. “As a lawyer, your work is so serious. When I get to compete, it’s fun. You don’t always get the opportunity to chill out and be a queen for a day. It’s a chance to step out of reality for a day and really enjoy yourself.”
However, your crown and sash become “powerful marketing tools,” she said, “and allow you to promote causes that are near and dear to your heart. I do lot of appearances where I can focus attention on the need for legal services for victims of domestic violence.”
What did she enjoy most about the Mrs. Delaware Pageant?
“Meeting all the other contestants,” she said. “My ‘roommates’ who shared my dressing room and I just had a lot of fun, a lot of funny conversations. It was very positive. They were really lovely girls to meet.”
She’s kept in touch with many of the contestants with phone calls, emails, visits and even some appearances together on behalf of the Mrs. Delaware United States Pageant like at the McGuire Veterans Hospital in Virginia.
McNair also complimented the pageant director for making the event such a positive experience.
“Siouxzan Moore is the best: honest, fair, understanding, dedicated and professional,” said McNair.
What was the most challenging part of the pageant experience?
"Getting to the gym,” McNair said with a laugh. “As a lawyer, public speaking is not a problem. I’ve had plenty of practice with that. All the outfits, the hair, the makeup – I’m fine with that, but going to gym –that’s a problem.”
However, McNair said the motivation to stay in shape is another great reason to get involved in the event.
Last year’s state pageant was held in Wilmington. When McNair was announced as the winner, she said, “I was just elated. I couldn’t wait to see my husband. He was really happy, too. I had about eight girlfriends in the audience that night, and we all went out to celebrate. It was a great night.”
Competing in the national pageant
McNair went on to represent Delaware at the Mrs. United States Pageant in Las Vegas.
While ‘Vegas’ wasn’t really her cup of tea, the pageant itself was a wonderful experience.
“It was the first time in Las Vegas for me and my husband. It was enjoyable, and we’re glad we did one time in our lives, but Kevin and I are much happier at something like the Punkin’ Chunkin’ (in Sussex County) than Vegas,” she said.
Her favorite part of the national pageant, like the state event, was getting to know the other contestants.
“It was really cool to meet so many phenomenal women from across the United States,” McNair said. “I’ll give you an example: Mrs. District of Columbia is a veterinarian and she homeschools her eight children – Wonder Woman.”
Appearances as Mrs. Delaware
McNair said her appearances as Mrs. Delaware at events throughout the state and country have been very rewarding. She citied the visit to McGuire Veterans Hospital as a chance to make a difference, really feeling like you’re helping to lift spirits of so many people.
And then there have been visits that have surprised her.
“I went with several contestants to Claymont Elementary. The school counselor is my husband’s cousin’s wife – one of those Delaware connections – and she needed some guest speakers for a program. I’m thinking I’m going to speak to 40 kids. We showed up and there were 300 kids. I’ve never seen children so happy, so thrilled, just to meet me,” she said.
McNair and the other contestants each spoke on a different topic, from proper attire and dining etiquette, to internet safety.
“They really seemed to be interested in hearing these lessons. It seemed like they really looked up to us,” she said. “I was surprised how warm a welcome we got. Some kids just came up and gave you a hug.”
Pageant experience builds confidence
McNair said the state and national pageants have made her a more confident person.
“My husband and I haven’t made the leap with children yet, so it was great to meet all these women who have children and a career and ask them for advice,” she said. “You learn so much, and through the pageant experience you grow in confidence. I always say the largest room in the world is the room for improvement.”
Last year, some of her fellow contestants called her the "pageant mommy."
“I helped with their jewelry and makeup," she said. "We joked that when I give up my title, I’m going to start Marci’s Jewelry Store and manage that for all the contestants.”
McNair said she’s more than willing to offer advice to anyone who’s interested in entering the pageant.
“I’m happy to tell them all about the experience, and I can give tips and advice like ‘small jewelry doesn’t show up on stage,’ and things that I’ve learned,” said McNair. Her email address is mrsdeus2009@aol.com.
Prospective contestants can also check her blog at www.mrsdelawareus2009.blogspot.com for details about her pageant experiences and appearances.
ABOUT THE PAGEANT
How to apply – Women interested in entering the 2010 Mrs. Delaware United States Pageant can request an application by emailing the state pageant office at director@mppinc2006.com or by calling 1-302-256-3219.
Judging – Each contestant will be judged in four categories which count the following percentage of the total score: personal interview, 30%; fitness, 30%; evening gown, 30%; on stage question, 10%.
Prizes – The prize package will be worth at least $5,000 and will include an all-expense- paid trip for the winner to Las Vegas to represent Delaware and compete for the title of Mrs. United States July 18-22. The specific prizes will be announced prior to the state pageant.
Awards – In addition to the overall place awards, individual awards are available for the top contestant in categories such as: interview, fitness, evening gown, community service, most photogenic, best ad, people’s choice, and contestants' choice.
Wardrobe – Each contestant is required to provide her own wardrobe including evening gown, dress or business suit for the personal interview, swimsuit for the fitness category, and a cocktail dress for the opening number which isn’t judged.
