Pageant builds self-esteem, acceptance in competitors
Thomasina “Tommi” Cummings plans to rock and roll all night with a touch of beauty and grace.
“I feel happy,” said Thomasina, 14, on how she feels about her upcoming pageant.
Thomasina, who is an Association for Children and Adults with Learning Disabilities Tillotson School eight-grader, is one of 13 contestants competing in the
Sixth Annual I'm a Star Pageant, which is open to all special-needs girls in kindergarten through 12th grade at 6:30 p.m. Saturday at Crossfire campus of First United Methodist Church, 1802 N. Main St. Ext.For the talent portion, Thomasina will play drums and sing “On Top of Spaghetti” in the style of the rap artist Notorious B.I.G.She will also sing the Minecraft and Pokemon version of “Dynamite” by the rockers AC/DC.Thomasina's father, Barry Cummings, owner of
Cummings Candy and Coffee, will strum his acoustic guitar and sing as her accompaniment.This is the second public performance for the duo, who usually just rock out in their basement, Cummings said.Three years ago, Thomasina won best interview in the pageant, and Cummings was overcome with joy, he said.The leather jacket decorated with AC/DC and other rock band pins Thomasina will wear on stage is a gift from her father from the last pageant, he said.Throughout her pageant years, Cummings said he has seen his daughter grow into a “social butterfly.”“It's extremely important — it's an opportunity to be on stage across the board,” he said about the pageant contestants.This year's 13 newcomers will be joined by five previous pageant winners, said Jennifer Dimit Baldacci, the pageant director and founder.Dimit Baldacci, owner of Jen's Academy of Rhythm and Moves located inside the Clearview Mall, was inspired in 2008 when she saw Miss Iowa Abbey Curran, who was born with cerebral palsy, become the first contestant with a disability to ever compete in the Miss USA pageant.Baldacci is also the founder and director of the
I'm a Star club that has a goal to provide positive, safe social interaction for people with special needs of all ages and their families.The benefits of participation go beyond the pageant stage in the friendships, self-esteem and acceptance that is cultivated, Dimit Baldacci said.“Every girl needs a self-esteem boost,” she said.Thomasina said in her five years of participating in the pageant, her favorite part is being on stage.“I feel good,” she said, smiling.
WHAT:<a href="https://www.imastarclub.com/pageant/">6th annual I’m a Star Pageant</a>WHEN: 6:30 p.m. SaturdayWHERE: Crossfire, 1802 N. Main St. Ext.COST: $10 per ticket- Contestants will compete in three categories: interview, talent and onstage modeling and questions.- Jessie Chris, a country artist, will perform and act as a guest judge for the pageant.- The pageant winner will receive a $400 scholarship, roses, crown and a sash, while the contestants will receive a $75 scholarship and other prizes.
