"That was the preliminary to Teen Ohio," she said. "In Miss Columbus, I won the interview, swimsuit and talent. I sang 'God Help the Outcast.' When you break it down, the girl who wins the most categories usually wins overall."
Following the Columbus win, Belczak advanced to the Miss Teen Ohio International on May 21-22 in Toledo.
Judges rate the contestants in the following categories: interview, 40 percent; fun fashion wear, 20 percent; gown, 20 percent; aerobic wear, 20 percent.
Belczak swept every category in that contest, where she was also named Miss Photogenic, and she won the fitness and People's Choice awards.
In winning the most recent pageant, the Gahanna Christian Academy senior said the interview on the second day of the judging was the most "nerve-wrecking" part of the process.
"Once you're in the top 10 from the first night, you start all over at zero again," she said. "The interview is still 40 percent of your score. You have 30 seconds to respond on how you would implement your platform program at a national level."
Each contestant at the international pageant has a platform. Belczak's is service to senior citizens.
"I said that I want to go around the U.S., or around the world, telling how I can impact their lives and how they impact my life," she said. "My school is next door to an assisted living center, where we can send a class over."
At the international pageant, she was also rated 20 percent each for evening gown, fun fashion and aerobic wear.
Belczak said it has been "cool" to participate in parades and special events like Red, White and Boom.
She estimates her pageant winnings from the Miss Teen International Pageant at about $20,000.
She received a $3,000 scholarship to the college of her choice, a $2,500 modeling scholarship, $200 travel allowance, fur coat and jewelry, among other prizes.
This week, she planned to travel to Alabama for a photo shoot. She will appear on the cover of Super Models Unlimited next spring.
Belczak said she has enjoyed making strong friendships through her pageant experiences this year.
"It has been fun so far," she added. "People yell, 'Britany, I love you,' and I've never met them in my life. It's a lot of fun."
Belczak hopes to study communications or sports management at Mt. Vernon Nazarene College next year. |
