Interview with Sarah-Jane Scully – Exquisite Miss Shining Light Finalist and Miss April Queen

Firstly thank you so much for taking the time to answer my questions about your pageant journey for my pageant lockdown blog it’s lovely getting to know fellow pageant queens and more about the systems that they represent.

Can you introduce yourself?

Sarah-Jane Scully, 27, Exquisite Miss Shining Light Finalist and Miss April Queen 2020 Runner Up

What made you enter pageants?

I first entered pageants to show myself that although I struggle with anxiety I could in fact get up on a stage and do anything if I really put my mind to it. My first pageant was Miss Shining Light 2019 which is a charity pageant that is big into mental health so that meant a lot to me.

What made you compete in Miss Shining Light ?

I started my pageant journey in 2018 but competed in 2019 in Miss Shining Light. I was due to compete again in this year’s pageant but due to the pandemic it has had to be postponed until next year, this only means we will be bigger and better though.

As I said already the pageant is all about mental health and raising awareness of the issue, I believe its breaking the stigma surrounding mental health. As somebody who suffers from mental health issues it meant a great deal to me to have that platform and the support and encouragement I recieved was 2nd to none. I entered Miss April Queen as a way of keeping myself sane during lockdown, it was an online pageant and I wanted to support others in their fundraising during a time of uncertainty.

What have pageants taught you?

If pageants have taught me anything its that the pageant world is not the way everybody imagines it to be and the stereotype we see in movies etc. Pageants are not all about who is the prettiest and most beautiful person on the outside but they also take into consideration the beauty of a person in the inside, how a person treats others within their system and how they help within their community is a big part of the pageant world which not many people realise.

What’s your pageant platform and why?

Mental health and suicide prevention is my main platform as I myself suffer from mental health issues such as anxiety and depression. I want to break the stigma around such illness and show people that it’s okay jot to be okay and that it’s okay to talk about how your feeling as well. My inbox is always open for anybody that needs to talk as is my door for those that I know personally. I’ve been in the dark in the past and therefore want to shed some light on such issues and raise awareness for others as well.

What’s your dream title ?

My dream title at the moment is simple to become Miss Shining Light Mental Health Ambassador pure as this is were my journey started, of course we’re that would lead me is also a very exciting prospect but for now I would be thrilled at winning this title.

If you were to win Miss Shining Light Mental Health Ambassador what would it mean to you ?

It would mean the absolute world to me to win for years ive doubted myself and my ability to be good at anything but pageant have shown me that when I set my mind to something it is in fact possible to achieve regardless of doubts.

Do you have any advice for fellow pageant queens?

My advice for other contestants is to not be afraid to be yourself when your on that stage and have fun with it.

What have been been during since you became a finalist ?

I have been organising quite a few fundraiser and taking part in campaigns online. Obviously due to Covid 19 fundraising has been harder this year but I havent let the virus get in the way of doing what I love, before I done bag packing in a local super market. I helped my daughter in doing a gift appeal for children in the local hospital at Christmas time last year however since the virus has struck I’ve been holding online pageants and raffles as well as starting my own campaign #togethetwecan

What’s your favourite pageant appearance?

My favourite apperance that I have done to date would have to be attending the Face of Northern Ireland pageant

How has lockdown due to COVID19 affected your pageant journey?

To be honest covid 19 hasn’t affected my journey much of course my pageant has had to be postponed but other than that it hasn’t stopped me from promoting my platform or raising funds.

What makes a good pageant role model?

A good pageant role model in my opinion is somebody whom is always willing to help others and takes the saying in a world where you can be anything be kind very literal. A role model must be kind and caring and always put her best foot forward regardless of the situation. I also believe that within the pageant community a role model must continue to work after winning a title and put the title to good use during the reign.

What’s your favourite pageant round ?

My favourite round is fashion wear as its fun and upbeat.

How do you deal with pageant nerves ?

To deal with nerves I simply breathe and do a technique I’ve learnt to bring me to reality I find 5 things I can touch, 4 I can see, 3 I can hear, 2 I can smell and one I can taste.

Thank you so much for taking the time to answer my questions about your pageant journey it’s been lovely getting to know you and I wish you all the best at winning your dream title. Much love Charlotte, Ms Diamond South Yorkshire 2020.