Pageant critic draws big response

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 10, Issue 477, 16 March 1993, Page 4

Pageant critic draws big response

Beauty • I am really disappointed that people from Raetihi especially 'One Crown' should try to take away somebody else's, chance of entering another pageant. Her title still remains runner-up (Miss Raetihi). If the organisers believe in sending more than one entrant to Taupo it shows how proud they are of their girls. Why the threat to send two? Runner-up Estelle Jenkins, has worked hard to raise money to send herself to Taupo. She has worked alongside Trudy raising money for the pageant in itself. I honestly think that people should stop interfering and taking the wrong text out of things. Let the organisers get on with what they know best here.

Come on Raetihi support both girls. They are going to Taupo to represent Raetihi. Estelle is not Miss Raetihi so stop trying to feel the claim is heading that way. It's a total insult to the whole pageant. Proud Entrant Beauty confidence • As entrants in the Miss Raetihi pageant, we would like to express the sadness We felt after we read the letter to the editor about Miss Raetihi last week signed 'One Crown'. It was so unjust to believe that organisers could be thought to feel a lack of confidence in Trudy that they would send another contestant. How sick to even think such a thing. The organisers, Donna McGrath and Karen Harrison treated the

movement up to that day and afterwards with sincerity and complete genuiness and to attack someone like 'One Crown' has, is unbelievable. As entrants we can honestly say we have never met two people who devoted so much of themselves voluntarily. 'One Crown' never wrote to congratulate the success of our day, why feel so proud of yourself now? Give 'us' girls, the pageant and the organisers a 'fair go' to get on with their job which I'm sure is a learning curve for us all. Raetihi Pageant Contestants. Beauty sadness • It was healthy, I feel, to read an article printed to the editor concerning 'The Miss

Raetihi' title. I am disappointed however, that a person with strong views willing to print them in a local paper had to use a 'nom-de-plume'! This letter is not to snap back at 'One Crown'. It is one written straight from my heart and is directcd at the real issue of what the 'Miss Raetihi' pageant really stands for. The pageant was set up to help the youth in the area to build confidence, set goals and, more significantly of all, create a companionship and self esteem among them. All these factors proved to be an exception. I have never been so proud of anything in my life. The glory of that day wasn't mine, the Raetihi businessmcn's, or the mums and dads who got

them there. It was each girl who worked to make a pageant, not an individual fight for 'best'. Not one individual worked alone to fight against another. Trudy won Miss Raetihi 1993 and nobody will or can remove that fame from her. Every entrant and citizen in Raetihi is proud not only of Trudy but of the 78 girls who stood up on that stage and challenged their fears against the world. No-one is fair, I feel to write an article and take away the glory of that day and those to come, without first revealing the correct information. The Taupo pageant allows as many entrants as a community is able to enter. Miss Runner-up was entered as another representative with her own fund raising, not to take

any limelight from Trudy. People who feel otherwise are in fact themselves insulting Trudy 's ability by fearing two entrants. 'One Crown', entitled to an opinion, has created an embarrassment to Miss Raetihi, hurt to the runner-up (unintentionally I realise), and inexcusable blame on the organisers. I would like to see 'One Crown' and those with the same feelings look at the issue positively, not negatively. You have made judgemcnt without fact, not endeavouring to find out the reasons from the correct source and made a slight on the capabilities of a committee that had a 100 percent success rate that stormy market day which brought a small community together forl the first time in many years.

I feel sad, 'One Crown' that you feel the way you do! Donna McGrath

Pageant

Organiser

Beauty confidence • As the mother of Miss Junior Raetihi I would like to put forward a view on the recent speculation about the Miss Raetihi pageant. I have been involved with the various functions and fund-raising ventures that the girls have attended since the contest. They have performed their duties with no complaint and have done a wonderful job. Being involved with the organising of these various functions, I am aware of most of what is going on. As far as myself and the others involved are concemed there has never been any attempt to take anything away from Turn to page 6

LETTERS

Trudy. If the girls are worried or concemed about anything they have been encouraged to go to the organising committee to resolve any problems. As far as entering Miss Runner-up at Taupo, this was done (as many other areas are doing) not to take anything away from Trudy but to support hcr and the township of Raetihi. I have every confidence in Trudy to represent Raetihi in the Taupo pageant and am sure that she will gain confidence and experience that she will be able to pass on to future contestants. I would also like to thank the organisers of the pageant. They have put in a lot of private time and have been behind the contestants 100 percent. I would like to especially thank Donna McGrath who has unselfishly donated her time and expertise in the

beautician field for the girls to look their best (at her own expense) on all occasions. Despite criticism she has remained totally dedicated to all concemed and to the township of Raetihi. Good on you Donna. Lois Penning One beauty • As one of the businesses in Raetihi that sponsored two entrants in the 'Miss Raetihi' contest, I am disgusted with the way the organisers for our Miss Raetihi, to assist her in representing our town in the 'Miss Taupo' contest are going about it. We have one Miss Raetihi only, whom our sponsorship money is, as I understand it, to pay her and her only, expenses for the Miss Taupo contest. To our runner-up, if you wish to compete in this contest by all means do so, but not at the expense of the business

sponsorship money, or bow out gracefully. I sincerely hope that in 1994, the committee for our Miss Raetihi is unbiased people who instead of making what should be a happy time for Miss Raetihi, a miserable time and spend less time back-stabbing and bickering and more time doing what they should be doing, or our Miss Raetihi 1994 is in for a miserable reign. I for one will think twice next year about my sponsorship. On a final note, organisers, if you wanted our runner-up to win so badly, why didn't you bribe the judges? Sticks and stones Beauty support • With rcference to last weck's letter, we were quite amazed at the letter from 'One Crown'. The way we see it Miss Runner-up organised a truck-wash for fundraising which she did herself with the help of some friends.

Miss Raetihi was entering Miss Taupo and Miss Runner-up was going to support her as well as entering as an individual, which we think is great, because if she has the courage to go up in front of people and tell of her ambitions, good on her. So go for it. To anyone who wishes to fulfil their drcams. Good luck to all. E Vallance and J Bishop Truck thanks • I would like to express a special thanks to the Waiouru Army for the opportunity to be able to participate in the truck driving competitions held last weekend at Mystery Creek. I not only gained further experience, but a lot of fun was had by all who took part in this well organised driving competition. I for one will most definitely be retuming next year. Once again many thanks.

Raewyn Pearson

Ohakune