All about Lora
Author: Lora Shipley
Published on MissChico.org with permission from Lora Shipley
Lora Shipley is a Chico local who oversees running and recruiting Miss Teen Chico and Miss Chico Pageants this year. Having competed in pageants herself, she says she wishes to spread the joy and confidence she has seen develop in girls who compete.
I sat down with Lora and asked her both fun and the tough questions, especially about the controversy surrounding participation in these types of events.
Addressing the elephant in the room
One of the first few questions I asked Mrs. Shipley was if she could respond to our modern society’s view that beauty pageants are an archaic and even sexist competition.
Lora began explaining that she understood why most people have this initial reaction, and that Miss Chico is not a traditional beauty pageant. Her face twisted with contempt as she reflected on her own attendance at pageants full of high school aged girls being made to equip their sexualities as a weapon to appease adult judges.
So, with that in mind, here are her rebuttals to that line of thinking:
Goodbye Swimsuit, Hello Fitness
Author: Unkown
Published by MissChico.org with permission from Lora Shipley
Gone are the days of girls wearing a revealing one piece to compete she explained. “We do not do a Swimsuit Category; we do a Fitness Category.”
She went on to say that in the new fitness category completely replacing the swimsuit category, you are being judged for your health, not being nitpicked for imperfections and of course, thinness.
“All different body sizes can be fit; we aren’t focusing on looking skinny but on women’s health.”
She told a story about a girl she described as beautiful who did not fit into the traditional hourglass figure people think of when they hear the term “beauty queen.” Lora beamed widely saying that this particular girl was the strongest girl she knew, and her energy was incredible.
Rejection of Uniformity
Lora also told me that while beauty pageants of days past had a standard message of the responsibility of playing the part of a beauty queen, her pageants and coaching methods focus on bringing out a girl or woman’s full self. “We want to see each girl become the woman she wants to be” she had said.
Wholesomeness VS Sexuality
Lora explained that she does not believe that women need to show their sexualities on stage for a panel of judges.
“I like to think of pageants as letting girls be princesses; I think every girl likes to feel pretty, and this lets them show that beauty.”
She explains that instead of focusing on sex appeal, she wants to highlight femininity, and the beauty found within women who want to grow into themselves with confidence and grace.
Why should you join?
When asked why local girls would want to join, she told me that I should not think of pageanting as a competition. “Yes, you are being judged at the end of the day, but the journey is the fun part.”
She explained that her daughter was quite shy as a teenager, and that having her be put through a pageant coaching program completely brought her out of her shell.
“She was like a whole different person!” She recalled fondly thinking of her daughter, “It was beautiful to see her grow her self-confidence”
Zero Experience Entry
Author Lora Shipley,
Published on MissChico.org with permission from Lora Shipley
The Miss Chico pageant does not start until November 16, 2024, and if you are skeptical of joining with no experience, a workshop for girls looking to see what it is all about is being held on October 6, 2024. The workshop is free to Miss Teen and Miss Chico contestants, and only 25 for NON CONTESTANTS to go to the 6 week academy. And for a free meeting where you can get more information before you sign up, go see Lora on September 29th at 6:00-7:30 at Lulus Outlet down town!
If the price is still a bit too high for you, you can request a complimentary gift certificate to go for free and see if competing would be a good fit for you. Register on the Miss Chico teen site here. or by scanning the QR code on this flyer!
Lora emphasized that the workshop is open for all women who wish to learn skills invaluable to competing in such a competition. You will learn and hone skills in many areas including and not limited to
Author: Lora Shipley
Published on MissChico.org with permission from Lora Shipley
- How to prepare and practice
- Interview skills
- Onstage posing and walking
- Personal development
- Developing personal style
- Etiquette
- The power of posture and presence
And much more. So do not be afraid to try it out. Make friends, learn some good life skills that will help you on and off the stage, and if you feel like competing is not for you after the class, there is no pressure to just keep what you learned and not compete.
How far you can go
Miss Chico may be a local pageant, but it does not stop there. The winner of Miss Chico will be moving on to compete for the title of Miss California USA. From there the winner could even represent the country for Miss Universe!
This could be the first step to many doors and opportunities opening for you, so do not let the fact you don’t experience stop you.
Conclusion and my thoughts
So, in closing, I believe the women in Butte College who feel as though they could get something positive from this experience should make the leap and try it out. Whether it is to meet like-minded individuals, a drive to compete, or the desire to become more confident, it might be a good opportunity.
As Lora told me her favorite saying was “Nothing Ventured, Nothing Gained.”
