With Miss America's recent announcement eliminating the Swimsuit competition, it reminds us how pageants have changed over time. Pageants have never stood still - there has always been change. Pageants started as a bathing suit competition meant to extend the tourist season in Atlantic City. Then, they became a vehicle for young women to win scholarships. Next, they focused on volunteerism and community leadership skills. In order to attract contestants, pageants must be relevant for today's woman. They have to reflect society, offer personal development and provide networking opportunities. And it's imperative that pageants

Pageant contestants tend to be pretty smart. So, when you enter a pageant, you probably ask a lot of questions. What is the expected attire for my interview? Do I need to do my own hair and makeup, or can I bring my makeup artist? Am I required to have a personal platform? You ask questions because you want to be fully prepared to compete at your very best. It makes perfect sense. But, if you're not consistently placing or winning, you might not be asking the right questions. Instead of focusing on wardrobe requirements and other competition details you need to take a strategic approach. Here's how to win a pageant with 3 smart questions:

Have you ever gone into a store to purchase something and been overwhelmed by a pushy salesperson? You know the type, they're convinced that they've got exactly what you need. And they don't leave your side while they point out every single feature of the product. While you were ready to purchase something when you walked in, you're so put off by the salesperson that you leave and decide to get what you need somewhere else. Well, that's exactly what happens when you're overly aggressive during your pageant interview. The judges have read all about the product - you - on your pageant paperwork and they've seen your competition headshot. They