I'm finally sitting down with my to do list back to a manageable size. It seems like life just kept going at 100 mph for the last few weeks since I competed at the Mrs. International 2015 pageant.
I'll try to recap my week as best as I can. From the moment I touched down until the time I left we were busy, always moving forward and it was hard to take enough pictures and document everything. I did share a few videos and photos on my fan page but am looking forward to my Paula Preston prints!
Orientation was on Monday and it was so nice to finally put faces to the names of the women that I had been talking with over the last several months via social media. It was great to officially meet the national staff, sponsors, and other key people that would soon become very important to all of us. My favorite part of the night was when each contestant was asked to answer a question on the spot. The most memorable speech was by Kara, Mrs. Arizona International and I found out right away that she was a fireball of energy.
Tuesday I got up early to workout out and then headed to breakfast...hard boiled eggs were the theme for the week. I ended up eating a dozen a day to keep up my protein intake. Shortly after roll call we boarded the tour buses two by two and took off to explore the fresh air and hot Florida sun outside of the hotel. We went on an open air trolley tour of old St. Augustine/The Fountain of Youth, a behind the scenes tour of Ever Bank Field, home of the Jacksonville Jaguars, and finally we went to the Premium Outlets for shopping and pop up autograph sessions. After braving a rain storm we made it back to the hotel for the second half of our day. First was group dinner and then our very first rehearsal. You all know me and I LOVE to dance. Our opening number was set to "Beautiful Now" by Zedd and it was perfect. Our walking patterns and dance steps were far from simple and really made a great show. Matt Davenport Productions crew was over the top fabulous! From the choreographers, the stage managers, and crew you could tell they loved what the do!
Wednesday I got up early again and enjoyed some more eggs at breakfast! Rehearsal was in the hotel where we finished off opening number, then found our places for on stage intro, fitness patterns, and finally evening gown. The rehearsal was nice because you could finally feel the show starting to come alive. After lunch, another salad, we headed over to the theatre for our first stage rehearsal. Matt Davenport gave us a great motivational speech before we started. From this point on we were really being supported by the staff and it was great. We kept on hearing that only one lady will walk away with the title and that we were all queens no matter what. It was nice to have the thoughts building in your head because come Saturday night only 15 would be in front of the curtain and the rest would be in the audience. Being on stage is such a second home to me that I felt completely at ease. My scores from state were 28/30 for fitness, 43/45 for onstage question, and 29.5/30 for gown overall 142.5/50 or 95%. I felt so ready to enjoy myself and shine for the national pageant.
Thursday morning came and after a quick workout and breakfast you could feel the spirit of everyone shift a bit. It was after all the start of our "competition" with private round robin interviews. I felt prepared going into this section. At state I scored a 42/45 and I felt that this was my weakest area. I was lucky enough to have a phone session with former Mrs. International, Suzy Bootz. I also utilized her book, Creating Queens. I answered every single question from front to back and spent a great deal of time going over mock interview questions as well. I met with my directors before, took our group picture, and then it was time. I walked in with a smile on and was ready to go. The interviews were over after 25 minutes but it felt like a fraction of the time. I felt very confident that I had spoke on every topic that I wanted to touch on and felt that I made a personal connection as best I could in 5 minutes. Lunch (salad !) and a break followed. We had another theater rehearsal and went over opening number and the other patterns extensively; we were working as a group and it felt great. Kelsie Watts was a guest performer and she sang Fight Song by Rachel Platten. It was such a perfect song that was used at the end of prelims. At a crescendo in the music the curtains rose up and they we all were. We were all set to step forward and take our spots in gown. I can't even explain the rush of energy I felt the first time the curtain went it. After that, yes were still going, was the Red Carpet Gala and Silent Auction. I had a blast being dressed in a great Sherri Hill gown and enjoyed spending time not rehearsing. Next up was group dinner and a motivational speaker. Eddie Peterson shared his new book "You Don't Know My Life" and told us his life story. At the end there wasn't a dry eye in the house and I bought two signed copies. I won't go into detail about his story, you can read if for yourself and I highly encourage you to do so! I was still not done for the day, last thing was a spray tan by Dunn and Dunn studios, the same group that was doing my hair and makeup. I loved all the girls, they were so funny and supportive and even had a stash of chocolate to share!
Friday was another workout, breakfast (more eggs), theatre rehearsal, moving our competition items over to the theater, lunch, and then more rehearsal. I went into hair and makeup for prelims and then we had our husbands at rehearsal to escort us for evening gown. At this point I hadn't seen Codey in a week and here I was with my hair half up in rollers. It was so much fun to see the look on his face as I tried to be as graceful as you can while you look crazy. Dinner that night was grab and go and then back to the theatre for finishing touches on hair and makeup. Prelims started at 7:30 that night and the energy was through the roof. Some of my fondest memories from the week were dancing in the wings before opening number. Mrs. Iowa International, Jill was my dancing partner and we even got Mrs. Atlantic States, Christine to join in on the fun. It was a long night as all 65 women competed in onstage intro, fitness, and gown. When we closed the show with Fight Song I knew that I had given it my all and it was out of my hands.
Saturday was another egg filled breakfast and then rehearsal with the proper shoes on for competition. Lunch was salad again and then back to the theatre for the final rehearsal. We all drew slips to find out what we would be practicing. Some would be mock top 10, some mock court, some fitness, some gown, and I pulled onstage interview. I was glad to get the chance to walk out and interact with our emcee former Mrs. International, Rebekah Negrete. I finally wore my interview heels and delivered my platform intro with ease. We ran the whole mock final pageant and then took a seat for our final speech. Bernee Thurow, National Chaperone and Arkansas International Director, gave us a great speech and told us that she herself had competed and knew what it felt like to be behind the curtain. She said that if we didn't place in the top 16 that we would all be #17. She also said that sometimes they're looking for an orange and you're just a big red juicy apple. Last up were my directors and National Chaperones, Scott and Jodi Cessna. They both have a long history with International Pageants as directors and Jodi is a former Mrs. Pennsylvania International. She did my favorite exercise where we all close our eyes and imagine hearing the court announced, then we hear our own name, see our husband walk out with roses, feel the weight of the crown on your head, and talk our first walk. When we did this at state I had tears roll down my face and the same thing happened again. I felt it all go and I knew that I prepped as hard as I could and that it may or may not be my destiny to win. We wrapped up and raced over to the hotel for dinner to go (non salad finally :) and back into prep mode.
I vividly remember hanging out in the makeup chair while rapping the Fresh Prince theme song with Mrs. Maine International, Melissa. I also remember sharing a short conversation with Mrs. Texas International, Farabe', about her prep. She was totally keeping it real by eating a cheeseburger and fries before the pageant and cared for her 3 children under 3 the whole week, Super Woman! The time finally came for Finals night to start. We all stood in the wings and did our backstage silly dances to Beautiful Now and then we were on. The audience was really into it and I was even able to spot my parents, husband, and best friend in the audience during opening number. On stage intros were next followed with more speeches and performances. Maggi had her farewell and we were back on for the moment, top 15 and awards were announced. It felt like forever as my friends started getting called up to the spike marks in front of the curtain but I stood tall and kept my smile. These women had worked just as hard as I did and I was truly happy for them. The numbers kept on coming, 12, 13, 14....... and then 15. I remember clapping and waving bye and then it happened. The chop, I fell in the bottom 50 and I had a single tear roll down my cheek before we had to scurry off the stage. The top 16 went off to the dressing rooms to change for onstage interview and the rest of us, the 17's were taken into hallway. Some people showed their true colors but the vast majority were happy to sit and watch. As soon as I sat down I took off my earrings, loosened my zipper, and slipped off my heels.
As we saw each finalist come out I felt so proud of them for speaking their hearts out and sharing their platforms with the audience. Nerves showed in a few ladies and when Mrs. Australia International, Piper, took her turn she started out strong and then went paused After a few seconds I yelled out "you can do this" and the audience clapped and cheered. She smiled and finished up her intro and answered her question. It was only a few minutes since I had been cut from finals night and already it was obvious why...I was put in the audience to help my sister queens! After questions were over we were allowed backstage to change for evening gown. When we got back the finalists were onstage and the top 10 were called. They raced into the dressing rooms as we all went into action. I was able to help 3 ladies that needed to re compete in fitness and evening gown. Mrs. Midwest International, Heidi; Mrs. Colorado International, Kimberly; and Mrs. Atlantic States, Christine were the ladies on my side of the dressing room. It was such a flurry of activity to grab earrings, shoes, and help with changing. The bottom 55 were able to watch from a live feed backstage. The final 10 competed in evening gown and then we all took the stage for crowning. Even though I wasn't in the front row I was so excited and happy for my sisters as they stood there holding hands. The court was called out 4th runner up- Mrs. Florida International, Tiffany; 3rd runner up- Mrs. Ohio International, Brittany; 2nd runner up- Mrs. Colorado, Kimberly, 1st runner up- Mrs. Midwest, Heidi, and our new Mrs. International 2015, Farabe'. After her husband crowned her and she took her first walk we all circled around to congratulate her. It truly felt like something out of the movies!
After crowing we all headed back and cleaned up our stations. I raced out to meet my family and friends. I received many nice compliments from fellow husbands, contestants, and even other directors. I knew that everyone had seen me pour my heart out and at least I connected with a few people. After pictures it was time to head back up to the room to drop off everything then out to the coronation ball. I have never been so happy to see carbs in my entire life...nacho bar, bread, cheese, and wine were all set and ready for me. I filled up three plates and it was delicious. Awards and court were announced and then it was time to dance. It was such a great evening dancing with my sisters and even my makeup artist, Jess. The night was over by 11pm and I had the chance to talk with Suzy Bootz, Mary and Mel Richardson, and even some of the judges.
On Sunday I checked out of the Omni and spent the day in Jacksonville with my husband and parents. It was nice to be out and enjoy the Florida weather since most of our time with inside the hotel, the theatre, or on a tour bus. We slept for a long time before returning Codey's tux and eating lunch. We meet up with my parents for dinner and enjoyed the evening at the Jacksonville Landing and River walk.
On Monday Codey and I flew out to Minnesota to get the kids. It had been 23 days since we had seen them due to work schedules. It was so nice to be back together and to be makeup free with yoga pants and flip flops!
As I sit here now and I reflect on my time at the competition I can say that I had fun. I was myself the entire week and made my fair share of friends. I made it a point to sit with new people at every meal and at each rehearsal as best as I could. I have been in contact with several of the contestants and look forward to seeing everyone again.
Live What You Love,
Amber Mack
Mrs. New Jersey International 2015
