Working title in progess

Made the Daytona Times about my trip to Washington DC!!

One of the many benefits of competing is that a pageant contestant must stay up with current events. More importantly they must know where they stand on certain issues. Now we all know that everyone does not agree on every issue and that is what makes America great. If everyone was the same it would be boring. So whether you are a liberal, conservative, or honestly don't care. As a pageant contestant you must be ready to answer the hard hitting questions. I myself am a political junkie and I proudly say so. I like to know what is going on in Washington so that unlike those who only get there information from television or family. I can put together my own opinion on the subject and be comfortable about it. I believe everyone should come to their own opinion and not let others decide for you. I was lucky and my parents never talked about their political affiliations while I was growing up and we do vary on what we believe. Had they chosen for me when I was younger my views would b...

To those who are not invested into pageantry or no the workings behind the scene the fitness aspect of pageants can usually be the most daunting. Depending on the current fitness level of the prospective contestant, getting into pageant shape can be a mountain or a molehill. What does it involve? Sacrifice and lots of it; many contestant will give up certain foods depending on how much time they have. The gym or fitness trainer will become the new best friend of the contestant seeing how most of their time is spent there sweating it out. What enters the body is more important than every before. Figuring out exactly what needs to change on the body to have a more symmetrical look is crucial to have a pleasing look to the judges. But more important the contestant and anyone really needs to know that the competition is won from the neck up. You body is a complement but in the case of not getting to where you would like to be there are some cheat tips that many pageant contestants ...

Where have I been....sorry for the delay I need to update a bunch so this might be one massive post or I'll get lazy and one short one with a bunch on photos. First off, back from Florida USA I really had a great time this and loved just being myself even if it may be a tad bit snarky and sarcastic but I love it. I will say I did try to take more photos so then last year and that was a success I carried my phone with me everywhere. I was attached at the hip with Miss South Florida USA and Miss St. Pete it was fun they are awesome girls. I also got to know Miss Tampa and Miss Pensacola a lot better. If you are wondering who they are please check out the Miss Florida website and click Miss Contestants to see all of the girls. I very much excited for the time to come but I don't want to relay too much without knowing enough. Enough about me here are some photos. xoxo Amina

This past weekend I had the opportunity to travel down to Hollywood, FL for the Miss Florida USA official pre-taping and seminar weekend. 80 of the 82 contestants were there and we all received our lovely opening number by Elan International and filmed promo spots for the sponsors over the course of the weekend. I taped on Friday which was for the swimsuit sponsor Desiree Nercessian and for the Roberto Cavalli sunglasses sponsorship. It was a lot of fun and I got to meet a decent size portion on the girls competing. For lunch we got to go to Pollo Tropical and have a very nutritious and filling lunch. They sponsor the meals while we are at Bailey Concert Hall during the competition. After that we were free for the day in which I passed out from utter exhaustion and later that evening I got ready for the delegate dinner at Mama Mia’s Ristorante which I had never had the chance to attend. The food was amazing and I ate pasta for the last time until after the competition. Seminar Da...

So I traveled to Vegas for the Miss USA pageant that showed live June 3rd. It was an awesome experience. This was my second time going the first was when Megan Clementi was competing for the title of Miss USA 2010 that year Rima Fakih was crowned instead. Being at the live show is an amazing experience, you get to see all the behind the scenes action; from the makeup artists touching up the contestants to a gentleman who was almost like the promoter during the show keeping everyone excited even after the girl they may have been cheering for has been eliminated. We were sitting pretty far back and they don't allow cameras in the auditorium so the photos I do have were taken before they told me I couldn't take any. Miss Florida USA Karina Brez looked amazing on stage and I loved the dress she had on. Since I watched prelims I had a list and I'm proud to state that I got nine of the top sixteen right and two of the top five correct I had Ohio as my winner and Rhode Island a...

So I haven't been keeping up with my blog which equals epic fail. My birthday is coming up shortly and I need to document as much as possible. So what has been happening as of late. I've competed in both Miss Daytona USA and Miss Orlando USA, I did not win either title so I've decided to go at large this year. It is my last year competing even with another year of eligibility per se. I'm graduating this year and want to focus on getting situated in a new state (hint hint) and my career. I'm getting ready for Vegas or more so I'm starting to pack..something that I'm not crazy good at. I'll make a list and post it in all its crazy weird code name glory. I've made a schedule for the next month of everything I need to get done and when. I'm going to finish another post about pageant girls and I'm even tempted to do a fun make-up tutorial..maybe a Vegas inspired one for the pageant. We will see what way these next couple of weeks go. I'm no...

Better late than never. A couple of weeks ago myself and Nicole Kelley Miss Earth Untied States attended the Miss St. Petersburg pageant across the state to cheer on our friend Collins Medlin who was competing. It was an excellent pageant and I'm happy to say that Collins won! Collins will go on to compete at the Miss Florida USA pageant this July in Hollywood, Florida. Congrats Collins and here are some photos from the pageant. Enjoy! Amina

Do you think you can do it? This blog is prompted by recent experiences but hopefully it rings true with my fellow queens and contestants out there. There needs to be a how-to guide for men as to what to expect at the beginning when you first meet to crowning and everything in between. 1: First time meeting- whether it’s out with friends or a blind date. There are things you should expect to see/signs one should notice about the girl at hand. And that’s depending on whether or not you have been told she does pageants. First and foremost, she is going to look very well put together. Image is EVERYTHING in the pageant world, from perfect hair and make-up to tailored clothing. This woman has spent a lot of time and effort (not forgetting money) making sure she steals the spotlight in some way or how good and/or bad. Her goal is unknown but what usual happens is she makes men stare and women become jealous or lesbians. You might be blown off your feet the first time you meet her and ca...

Hey everyone, It's taken awhile to write this post I meant to do so before my vacation but I figured now or never. I had such a wonderful time as Miss West Volusia, I did my part to get out there in my community and make my voice heard. Could I have done more, of course I could, you always can. But what I accomplished I was very proud of. On December fourth, my sister queen Emily and myself hosted our pageant in Ormond Beach. It was a tough competition and 3 girls now have the chance to compete for the title of Miss Florida USA and Miss Florida Teen USA this upcoming July and October in Hollywood, FL. Here are some photos from the event including my very determined face to place the crowns correctly on Lauren and Marissa's head.

Thanksgiving day I participated in the 28th annual Thanksgiving run in Deland, FL. This was my second time running. If you recall in a post one year ago I came up with my platform after running that race cold and on a whim. I'm proud to say I beat my time last year 34:31 to 33:08 and I could not be prouder of myself. I feel this is a great way to end the year as Miss West Volusia USA and I cannot wait to see what is in store for me later on. Waiting to get more photos, I do plan on putting together a list of some of my memorable moments as Miss West Volusia USA 2012.

On December 4th I pass on my title to a very lucky young lady. Getting excited for what the future holds. Click Here For Details

Well, it's that season again, the road to Miss Florida USA 2013 starts today with the crowning of the new Miss Capital City USA up in Tallahassee. One of my good pageant friends and dance partner, Kristen Ledlow will be passing on her title to a young woman today who will vie for the title next July.

For every pageant girl, picking her gown is the best part of the pageant experience. This is where she lets the judges in on her type of style and in my opinion what type of title holder she is trying to be. Here are some of my favorite gowns and what I believe they say to the judges. 1) Greek Goddess This look screams care free and fun. As a title holder I will be a dream and love every aspect of the year. 2) DIVA For me this says I'm a little high maintenance but I also know when to be humble. I plan to push my year in terms of what I can accomplish and at the end I want everyone to remember me. 3) Classic Queen As your next titleholder I plan to smile harder and longer than any other person here. I genuinely love everyone and want world piece. I am a retro beauty through and through. 4) Sex Sells These types of gowns are not my personal favorite, they are a little to revealing and even though the girl is fully "covered" there is little left to the i...

No first and foremost I am not a fashionista, but I have my own sense of style. I feel it is something I have honed over the past 5-7 years and it has become my look. When competing in pageants its is for sure go big or go home and I know for me personally it is always done in the most tasteful way possible. So here a couple of things that all pageant girls need in order to be successful fashion-wise. First, nude/skin tone shoes: These will help elongate the leg and make you look taller. I always try to opt for a pair that has the platform covered, but that is my personal preference. Second, a good cocktail ring: Cocktail rings make any dress a instant success. It's a great way to dress up your wardrobe and not be hindered by the sash. Third, a LBD: As a title holder, there may be a plethora of charity events you have been asked to make and appearance at. Having a basic black dress that you can dress up anyway you please makes the outfit different every time you wear it. I...

So yesterday, I as well as every other pageant girl in the world watched the 'Championship' of Pageantry known as Miss Universe. It was help in Brazil this year and had a group of 89 girls competing for the crown. I was in suspense with the announcement of the top 16; some of my personal faves didn't make the cut (Malaysia, Aruba, Great Britain (I thought her presentation was flawless) to name a few) but i was ecstatic to see USA make the cut. I thought her swimsuit performance was amazing but I will agree with others she was too thin for my liking. After swimsuit and into evening gown I called Ukraine and Angola as the top two almost an hour before top 5 (I can prove it with my text messages!!!) I loved Angola and her answer was perfect. She is a natural beauty and in my opinion that is what should be rewarded in pageantry not someone who has conformed their body in order to win a crown. So congrats once again Miss Universe I will love watching your reign and more importan...

So this month I didn't fit a run in. I'm learning to juggle school, work and pageantry and I'm finally getting into the swing and will be back on the pavement in February. This past Sunday I attended the Deland Relay for Life bowling for the cause. It was a great event and a great fundraiser for the American Cancer Society. Relay for Life was started in 1985 and it has become the ACS biggest fundraiser. This year the Deland relay hopes to raise $42,000 dollars by May 14 when the relay starts. The coordinators are wonderful people and I advise everyone to donate to the cause. If you would like to donate go to: www.relayforlife.org/delandfl