06/17/2007

Northern People

On the pageant circuit

Teen says contests are learning experiences

By Tom Carr

tcarr@record-eagle.com

Record-Eagle/Douglas Tesner
Casey Mutter and her mother Beth on the front steps of their Kingsley home. Casey has participated in four pageants, on local, state, and national levels. In July she will be participating in National American Miss Michigan Junior Teen pageant.

KINGSLEY — Don't tell Casey Mutter that pageants are only about physical beauty.

"We have to do a personal introduction, evening gown, interview and community service,” said Casey, 13, just finishing seventh grade at Kingsley Middle School. She will compete in her fourth such contest next month in Troy: Miss Michigan Junior Teen pageant for ages 13-15.

Casey wears Bermuda shorts, a long-sleeved T-shirt and flip-flops as she shows her sparkling tiaras, a satin sash and a line of trophies from past contests. She's preparing for the next pageant by contacting businesses she hopes will sponsor her, shopping for the right evening gown and "interview suit.” The event is part of the National American Miss organization; if she earns one of the top four spots, she'll be eligible to go on to the national competition in Anaheim, Calif., in November.

She's also choosing songs that she'll sing for the optional talent portion. She has decided on "Over the Rainbow” for one of two songs and is still deciding on the other.

She has been called on to perform the national anthem at some Kingsley sporting events and thinks she might give "American Idol” a try someday.

"I think she could sing before she could talk,” said Casey's mother, Beth Mutter.

In addition to the pageants, Casey has been on the cross-country, track and volleyball teams while maintaining a spot on the honor roll.

"She's got a lot on her plate,” Beth said.

And there's a lot that goes into the pageant.

In addition to her own preparations, when she gets to Troy she and the 75 to 100 other contestants will work for a day or two on a production number they'll all perform together at the show.

"The interview part helps with self-esteem,” Casey said. "The evening wear (competition) helps you know how to dress and has an impact on your ability to make a first impression.”

Beth has seen the competitions benefit her daughter.

"It really helps her to communicate and speak well with adults,” she said.

Beth also likes the way National American Miss runs its competitions.

"It's all age-appropriate,” said Beth. The organization doesn't allow contestants to wear makeup at the younger levels. It also dictates minimum dress and skirt lengths and does not have swimsuit competitions, she said.

Beth herself was in the Bay City St. Patrick's Day Pageant when she was 16 and was in the top 10, she said. But she never suggested to Casey that she try her hand at it.

"I didn't even ask her to do it until she said, 'Mom, I want to do this,'” Beth said.

Casey's first pageant was at age 10 in Alger County. The family used to live in the Upper Peninsula. Casey won that competition and wanted to try more.

In NAM's Miss Michigan Pre-teen pageant, she made the top 15 the first year and second runner-up last year. That qualified her to go on to the nationals in California. Eventually, Casey hopes to compete for National Cherry Queen and the Miss America or Miss USA pageants, she said.

She watches some of the pageants on TV to see how contestants present themselves, including the recent Miss Universe at which Miss USA Rachel Smith fell during the evening gown competition.

"She recovered so well, which I thought was amazing,” Casey said.