Mrs. International Week: Part Two
As I had recapped the first few days of my exciting week at
Mrs. International in my previous blog, I will continue with the rest of the
adventures that unfolded for me in wonderful Charleston, WV!
Thursday was a day full of emotions. The day started out
with my private interview with five judges.
This private interview consisted of five minutes with each judge. In that time, I had to pour out my heart to
them about not only my platform but also why I should be the next Mrs.
International. I came out of interview
feeling so at peace with my time spent with each judge.
After interview and an afternoon of rehearsals came the
gala! This gala was an amazing event
hosted by International Pageants. All
the Mrs. Contestants brought silent auction items in which the proceeds would
go back to the city of Charleston. I was
fortunate enough to not only spend a wonderful evening with my fellow
contestants but my hubby finally arrived in Charleston. We had so much fun and I was forever grateful
that he was able to be there with me.
Finally Friday!
Friday was filled with a full day of rehearsals and PRELIMS! What a rush!
I had never up until that point felt so confident on stage as I did that
night. I had no jitters what so
ever. I did a lot of praying that day
and night. My time spent talking with
God put me at peace and I went out there and gave it my all. Not to mention, I got to share the stage with
my amazing husband and have my wonderful directors and friends in the
audience.
Then…came Saturday!
The day I had been waiting for since I was crowned Mrs. North Dakota
International. It would be my last time
out on stage, the last impression to show the judges that I was the right woman
for the title and job of Mrs. International.
The night started out with a bang…I mean trip! Haha, I tripped during opening number but I
didn’t let that phase me. I smiled,
laughed, and strutted past that little misshape. When the announcement of Top
16 was called, I was so nervous…but I made it!
I was called as contestant #15.
After Top 16 and People’s Choice were called, it was game
time! Only this time, I had to recite my
on-stage platform speech and answer a fish bowl question before fitness and
evening gown. I poured my heart out with
my platform speech and answered my question thoughtfully and honestly. Then, it was on to fitness wear. I have
always had so much fun on stage during this portion of competition. After fitness wear came the final portion of
competition, evening gown. I was blessed to have my husband walk me across the
stage again, just like in prelims. That
was it!
Crowning would finally close out the best week in pageantry
I have ever had in my life. As all of us
in the Top 16 stood holding hands I could only thank God for getting me to that
point. As the 4th, 3rd,
and 2nd runner-ups were called, I was so elated! What a great group of women so far in the top
five to represent our class. Then came
the announcement of first runner-up…ME! I am pretty sure my jaw dropped and I
could hear people screaming from the crowd. Out of 60 women, I was chosen as
first runner-up!!!! North Dakota has not placed this high in over 20
years. I was honored to receive such a
prestigious award and placement.
The experience of competing at Mrs. International has
forever changed my life. My next blog
will be on the questions I have been getting a lot…what was it like to be
called as first runner-up? Were you okay
with that? Are you coming back? All these questions and more will be
answered…stay tuned!
Keeping Families Close,
Laura Schmidt
Mrs. North Dakota International 2018
1RU Mrs. International 2018
