One beautiful moment at the NYSC orientation camp is Miss NYSC and Mr. Macho’s beauty pageant night. A lot of Corp members await this time with much interest and expectations. For the contestants, it is a thing of mixed joy and worry. The days leading up to the event are a long period of decision-making, running around, dressing, preparations, and anticipation for the platoon by its members and the platoon officials.
This article will cover the process leading to the event and the event itself right to the end. It could be an eye-opener or window for those who may choose to contest in the beauty pageant while in camp. Although this article will focus on the female contestants for Miss NYSC, the principles and process apply to the male contestants for MR Macho.
MISS & MR. NYSC Selection process
The contestants are picked from each platoon. The selection process varies from platoon to platoon. Some platoons choose to nominate their representative from the set of ladies in their platoon; others ask interested ladies to come up, and from the applicants, they can vote for their best candidate. It could be disappointing when a platoon does not have beautiful girls who can compete favourably with other platoons. Too bad that happened in my platoon those days.
We know she wasn’t beautiful, and she was no better contender. Many of us lost hope even before the battle, but we had no choice. Our relief and compensation came from Mr. Macho. ‘The guy grabs’, he was the bomb! He even won Mr. Macho for us.
Mr & Miss NYSC Preparation
A lot of work goes into the preparation for the Miss NYSC contest. Platoon leaders and officials, especially the platoon director of socials, are involved in choosing and supervising members of the platoon who are willing to help in the preparation of Miss NYSC and Mr. Macho. Preparations would include hiring traditional wear for the contestants, treating and making their hair, teaching them some important tips, treating their skin, and more. In fact, a lot of work, money, and time go into the preparation of these contestants.
The officiating of the beauty pageant show usually includes the collaboration of the man-of-war crew and the OBS crew. They also work on setting the stage for the event, setting and getting the questions for the contest, and getting the sound system and others ready.
27 Tips to Succeed in Miss & Mr. NYSC
- Be Confident
- Make Eye Contact
- Set Realistic Goals
- Practise, Practise, Practise
- Get Some Beauty Sleep
- Have Fun
- Stay Positive
- Timing is Everything
- Smile, smile, smile!
- Practise, practise, practise. The more you practise, the more prepared you are, and the better you’ll do.
- Believe In Yourself
- Know your current events and important subjects that are being discussed in the camp.
- Even if you don’t get the crown, you’re a winner just for competing, so if you don’t win, don’t feel like a loser.
- Use the bathroom before the interview and before the show. Trust me, you’ll appreciate it.
- Always maintain excellent posture. Shoulder back, chin parallel to the ground, and straight back, whether sitting or standing.
- Show your personality both in the interview and on the stage.
- Keep your answers short and concise. No one-word answers, though.
- Don’t compare yourself to other girls because you’re only being judged by yourself.
- It is good to exercise and eat well before a pageant, but there is no need to starve yourself because no matter what your size, your confidence and poise is what will carry you through the competition.
- The interview isn’t an interrogation but rather a conversation where the judges can get to know you better.
- While on stage, hold your head high and pretend that the crown’s already on your head.
- Scan the judges, scan the audience, and then once again, scan the judges.
- If you find it difficult to look the judges in the eyes, look at their foreheads.
- Remember, it isn’t the most talented girl who wins the talent competition. It’s who has the best stage presence.
- Don’t be afraid to ask questions in the interview if you don’t understand. The judges will be glad to clarify for you.
- Last but certainly not least, have fun and live those moments to the fullest.
Miss & Mr. NYSC D-Day
The beauty pageant show usually goes on at night, say about 9 or 10 p.m. or so. Corp members arrive in troops for this event. The center is filled and teeming with anxious spectators. The cheers and the roaring that tears the air as the night unfolds are appealing. The M.C welcomes the audience, and the stage for the show is set to roll.
Read: What Goes on at NYSC Orientation Camp?
The stages
The occasion usually plays out in stages. The stages I am about to enlist might not be serial in all camps, but it is basically about the same idea. In the beginning, the M.C. could lighten the mood with as many joke cracks as he can; some corp members who can sing are also displayed. The judges are presented, and before long, the stage is set rolling.
Stage1: Walk Around The Stage
The contestants are now being called out according to their platoons, from platoon 1 to platoon 10. They all line up on the stage. Then, in turn, they begin the catwalk, pause, and turn around through the arc of the stage to the great wowing or booing of the crowd, depending on the performance of the contesting candidate.
Stage 2: Identifying Themselves
At this point, the contestants line up to be asked to identify themselves. They say their name and the platoon they represent. Their answer to the question, their tone of voice, and their uniqueness in identifying themselves can spark the admiration of the viewers or not.
Stage 3: Traditional Display
At this stage, the contending contestants come back in traditional attire.
They are expected to perform any traditional culture they have prepared,, maybe dancing, playing an instrument, singing or whatever culture they can perform better.
Stage 4: Asking Questions
I think this is the scariest stage and a more determinant factor of the winner to be because you could floor all the beauty you have worked hard to display at this stage. This is the stage where the contestants are asked questions. There are usually about 10 questions on a number card. Each contestant picks a number, and the question on the card is asked to her. The questions border on current affairs and some important facts about NYSC. Examples of such questions may include:
- What are the core values of NYSC?
- What is the name of your camp director?
- Define one of the core values of NYSC.
- What did you do in camp?
- What is the name of the NYSC director-general?
Also Read: 18 ways to ENJOY your Orientation CAMP
The event would then begin near its end. There could be interludes of singing, performance, and dancing while the judges compile the result. The results are called bringing cheers to some and disappointment and accusing fingers of others. The Miss NYSC then goes away with her award, then celebrations with his fans, picture taking, and more, until everybody retires to bed.
If you have got the beauty and the brains, this is where you ought to be. It could be your crown. Feel free, feel good and feel the excitement in the air. For now, bye-bye and have a lovely time here in http://www.NYSC.ng
This info was helpful. Thanks