The Pageant Insider

The workshops are conducted by Betty Hemby, former pageant contestant and director. She has over 24 years of experience in the planning and execution of complex events gained from working in a variety of settings that include the government, public and private organizations, volunteerism, community service, numerous pageant systems, and talent competitions.

She is motivated to participate in cause related events and enjoys the involvement knowing that it will benefit the community. This was one of the reasons why she lobbied for seven years and was awarded the state franchise for the Miss America Scholarship Program in the District of Columbia in 1997 (program was dormant for 7 years due to mismanagement by prior organizers). She managed the DC Miss America Program including all related events and media coverage. This included recruitment, community awareness and education, producing the stage show, coordinating scholarship fundraising events and leading a volunteer committee. The local titleholder was scheduled for community service and business appearances. In addition to the local involvement she also served on the Board of Trustees for the National Association of Miss America State Pageants (NAMASP). At that time the Miss America Organization represented the largest scholarship program for women.

Teenage pregnancy and a lack of career goals by at-risk youths led her to initiate a grassroots intervention program targeting teen pregnancy and responsibility at Eastern High School from 1993-1995 called “Pageantry to Prevent Teen Pregnancy.” This program taught the teens event and meeting planning skills while they assisted her in the coordination of the local Miss America preliminary.

She is currently conducting workshops with at-risk young women at local schools and group homes on etiquette, social graces, appearance, and career goals.

Betty’s Prior Background and Experience

Pageant Systems

Miss America, Miss USA/Universe, Venus USA, Miss Georgetown, Hemisphere, Marmas Productions, Talent America, Teen Scholarship/Talent, Texas Little Miss Systems

Former Participant, Semi-Finalist and Finalist

Washington Redskinettes, Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders, Philadelphia Eagles, DC Cherry Blossom Princess

Former Judge, Auditor, Choreographer

Miss America (local/state), Sunburst, Marmas Productions, Miss Maryland Petite, Mrs. Maryland United States

Former Director/Producer/Officer/Committee Member

Miss America Preliminaries

Miss USA (DC)

All American Girls (Professional Cheerleaders)

President – Maryland Association of Local Miss America Pageants

Board of Trustee Member – National Association of Miss America State Pageants

Publisher-Editor – Pageant Update of Greater Washington

Personal and confidential assistant to Miss Gladys Davis, founder and former President of Cappa Chell Finishing School and Modeling Agency for 13 years

Information about my upcoming book................
"Honey, if the Check Clears, You're in the Pageant!"

The appeal of a rhinestone tiara, commercials, scholarships, paid tuition, cash awards, instant fame and recognition are some of the incentives that young women envision when they anticipate entering the pageant or modeling world. With over 24 years of the good, the bad and the beauties in the pageant industry, Betty Hemby will highlight from her upcoming book "Honey, if the Check Clears, You're in the Pageant! with everything they wanted to know about pageants and modeling but didn’t know what to ask. Information about sponsorship, child competitions, classes, photographers, the different systems, fees, contracts, security, staffing, residency loopholes and how they can be exploited, and criteria are just a few of the topics that are covered. Not being knowledgeable about these factors can lead many novice participants to become disillusioned, disgruntled, suspicious, and seek litigation as a last resource.