Heston to compete in America Super Mrs. Pageant

Michelle Heston of Osceola is headed for Missoula, Montana, Sept. 28-30 to compete in the America's Super Mrs. Pageant.

Heston has competed in pageants for 10 years and this is her third time attending the America's Super Mrs. Pageant.

She first started with pageants in large part because of her husband, Mark.

"My first pageant, my husband literally pushed me into because he knew I always wanted to do one, but I was always too afraid to do them," said Heston. "He pushed me to do it and I'm so thankful he did because I have grown so much from it."

With pageantry, Heston has a platform that allows her to help others in the community. Heston's pageant platform is an anti-drug campaign and she helps people in the community by being a listening ear or finding resources for those afflicted and their families.

"It's so sad and it destroys a whole family," said Heston of the drug problem within the community.

She is taking her anti-drug campaign message to Montana and talking about it in her introduction at the pageant. The America's Super Mrs. Pageant platform is seat belt safety so Heston and many women will be advocating for that, as well.

None of Heston's pageantry is community funded. Her husband funds the pageants she competes in and uses to further her anti-drug campaign.

"He says he does it because it makes me happy," said Heston.

To prepare for pageants, Heston uses a lot of visualization to mentally prepare, exercise to physically prepare and schedules appearances to prepare talking points and get herself out in the community.

"A lot of people think it's just hair and makeup and dresses, but it's really making sure you know your stuff and getting out there and talking to people," said Heston.

She stresses that being articulate and knowing what's going on in the world is extremely important in pageantry. Judges could ask any question to the contestants and being well rounded and knowledgeable is the only way to be prepared for that.

Heston refers to pageantry as a 'glam sport' since it takes training and many skills such as business skills, social skills, communication skills and health to do well in the competition.

"I'd love to take girls with me to Montana next year. ... I'd coach girls for free," said Heston. "Even if it's not your thing, it's an experience you'll never regret."

The America's Super Mrs. Pageant kicks off Friday, Sept. 28, with radio and other interviews and appearances by contestants and a chance to meet everyone. Saturday, Sept. 29, begins at 8 a.m. with a coffee meeting for all the contestants, then they turn in all their paperwork and make more appearances. After a lunch break, they practice for the pageant. On Sunday, Sept. 30, the contestants practice again in the morning and then have their interviews with the judges, which are scored. In the evening, the live pageant begins, consisting of a 30-second introduction of each contestant, the choice of athletic wear or swim wear, the evening wear portion and the crowning.