World Class Beauty Queens Magazine would like to welcome amazing Queen Kimberly G. Grader International United Ms. North New York 2021-2022.
Full name: Kimberly G. Grader
Title/Year: International United Ms. North New York 2021-2022
Pageant System: International United Miss
Age: 29
Education Level: Master’s Degree: Arts Administration, Le Moyne College
Zodiac sign: Capricorn
Hobbies: Costume Design, Graphic Design, Baking, Ballroom Dancing, Making Movies, Knitting, Singing, Pageants.
Platform: The Grader Picture: Healing Communities through the Performing Arts
Years competed: 3.5
Countries visited: United States & Canada.
Likes: Everything creative, trying new things, classic Hollywood films
Dislikes: Choosing a favorite color, mosquitos, and horror movies.
World Class Beauty Queens Magazine: Please tell us about yourself.
Hello all! My name is Kimberly. I’m just a small town country girl with a classic Hollywood fashion style. Born and raised in Central New York, I did live in Manhattan for 1.5 years. When I am not costume designing feature films or volunteering with the Make A Wish Foundation, I am most likely memorizing 48 different flavors of Cheesecake. I’m a free spirit with a passion for the performing arts.
World Class Beauty Queens Magazine: Please tell us about your education.
I was homeschooled through grade school and high school. The first time I handed in a paper to someone other than my mother was to the Chair of the English Department in college. A fun fact about me is that while I never attended High School, I am the first person in my family to not only attend a 4 year college, but to also receive a master’s degree.
World Class Beauty Queens Magazine: What does women Empowerment means to you?
Empowerment is the sign of a true queen: fixing other queens’ crowns instead of dulling their sparkle.
World Class Beauty Queens Magazine: Tell us about your pageant history.
The first pageant I competed in was not planned. My friend asked me to dress in a vintage style and come to a car show at a certain time. I did not really understand what I was getting into. I was so happy to walk away as the 1st runner up – as Miss Congeniality. One was all it took; I was hooked. In all the systems I have competed in, none come close to the overwhelming compassion and dedication I have thus far experienced with International United Miss.
World Class Beauty Queens Magazine: What inspired you to do your first pageant?
My dear friend Melody Wilkinson and the community of fellow retro-loving enthusiasts in Central New York now known as the Rockabetties.
World Class Beauty Queens Magazine: Why did you choose to compete for your current title?
International United Miss has been on my list ever since I had a friend compete in the system. Not only are the girls truly a sisterhood, not only is the prize package increasingly AMAZING, but the sense of community is a strong selling point. Seeing a scholarship organization truly centralized on finding genuine girls, representing themselves as they inspire those around them, to act as brand ambassadors is the kind of sisterhood I knew I had to be a part of. Teal is also one of my favorite colors. #thesisterhoodisteal.
World Class Beauty Queens Magazine: To those unfamiliar with your pageant system please tell us what is it about?
International United Miss is unlike any other pageant system out there. All contestants receive their scores & judges’ comments directly after the pageant. The International prize package is filled with everything from a cash prize, personalized luggage, 5 all-inclusive trips including a tropical location & Disney World not to mention the life-changing sisterhood. This scholarship organization is truly dedicated to their girls, creating a sisterhood, creating memories for not only their brand ambassadors but also their families. #IYOUMwhereyoumattermost.
World Class Beauty Queens Magazine: What are you being judged on during the competition?
At the state level, mandatory phases of competition are Introduction, Interview, and Gown. At the International level, required phases also include Fun Fashion and community service.
World Class Beauty Queens Magazine: Tell us about your experience during the competition.
Lifechanging. At registration during my state pageant in North New York I met my forever sister queen. We are close friends for life and our reign has only just begun. Never have I ever laughed so much or loved competing at a pageant as much as I have during my time with International United Miss. While competing at Internationals is beyond exciting and truly what dreams are made of, I am ecstatic to be reunited with my sister queens for an amazing week of fashion, female empowerment, and beach time.
World Class Beauty Queens Magazine: Tell us about your platform or what cause do you volunteer for.
My platform is “The Grader Picture.” I am dedicated to healing my community through the performing arts. Being a survivor of domestic violence, I will be the first to remind others not to judge a book by its cover; some things trigger others but we will never know until we share our stories, connect with others and heal together. My mission is to connect, collaborate, and create; I am striving to remind others to not just SEE the big picture, but to BE the Grader Picture. During my free time I volunteer with my local chapter of the Make A Wish Foundation – children are our future and the future is brighter when we can get creative and turn their dreams into a realty.
World Class Beauty Queens Magazine: What appearances have you done with your title?
Thus far I have volunteered with Make-A-Wish, the Salvation Army, Dunkin Donuts, Catwalk for Kidneys, Wreaths Across America. I assisted a fellow pageant sister Alexandria Hearn in volunteering with Recovery All Ways. For Valentine’s Day & in honor of National Heart Month, I hosted Virtual Heart Bingo as a Valentine’s fundraiser for the American Heart Association. Some of my favorite opportunities have been representing International United Miss as visiting royalty to their remaining state pageants in New England and DelMarVa. I loved getting to meet some of the new girls and their families while bonding with my fellow New York Sister queens.
World Class Beauty Queens Magazine: What are some of your achievements?
Besides holding a Bachelor’s Degree in Theater and English, Integral Honors, Magna Cum Laude and Master’s Degree in Arts Administration, I have also received 2 Gold and 1 Silver Presidential Service Awards. Throughout high school and college I received multiple dance and vocalist awards and honors. Perhaps my favorite was opening for the Grammy-Award-Winning Jazz group, the New York Voices during their concert at the Palace Theater. There is a local version of Dancing With Our Stars held in Syracuse, New York each year – my ballroom dance group was invited to open the gala the first two years. I am also proud to say I was involved at the ground floor in creating what is the now HULU-partnered film academy and studio known as American High. My time with Syracuse Studios led to my love of producing and designing films. My most recent costume design film is a period piece, BIBI, is being released this year as part of the Sundance International Film Festival.
World Class Beauty Queens Magazine: What makes you stand out from all those other beautiful girls?
One of my favorite Hollywood and entrepreneurial icons Marilyn Monroe inspires me, “Imperfection is beauty, madness is genius and it's better to be absolutely ridiculous than absolutely boring.” I am forever quoting dad jokes and referencing movies and musicals because they make me laugh; I love sharing laughter and creative joy with the world.
World Class Beauty Queens Magazine: Tell us about the moment your name was called out as the winner.
Life-Changing, Euphoric, Thankful – are the three words that come to mind.
World Class Beauty Queens Magazine: What does it mean to you to be a Beauty Queen?
Maya Angelou once said, “People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” A beauty queen is someone who is beautiful inside and out and thrives in reminding others of their strengths. My goal is to make everyone I interact with to be reminded that true beauty shines from within. There is something irreplaceable about a genuine connection.
World Class Beauty Queens Magazine: How did competing in pageants helped your life?
Pageantry gives me a creative outlet I miss from my undergraduate years. While working in film enables me to make someone else’s dream come true daily, competing in pageantry helps me work towards my own dream.
World Class Beauty Queens Magazine: How did pageants helped your self-esteem and body image?
As a survivor of domestic violence, pageants have skyrocketed my confidence. I have always been the person who disliked being told what to do and thrive in any opportunity to embrace my creative nature. Pageantry provided me that outlet, while also allowing me to dress up and gave me the true sisters-by-sash I otherwise never would have met.
World Class Beauty Queens Magazine: You are an inspiration to all the girls out there. How does it feel?
Being a titleholder is a tremendous responsibility which while exhausting is magical. I love being able to inspire others by sharing my experiences. Collaborations are my favorite.
World Class Beauty Queens Magazine: What is your on stage strategy to win the judges over?
I accept that I have worked hard to be the best version of myself possible to date and love every moment that leads me to that stage. My strategy is to follow the rules and hope I am the girl chosen to represent International United Miss for the next year as their Ms. brand ambassador.
World Class Beauty Queens Magazine: How did you prepare for your competition?
Pageants are a full time job. They require dedication and passion and repetition. Prep is a year round event which ranges from wardrobe styling to fitness and introduction editing. Every moment is time that can be used to better some aspect of your pageant routine, which then positively strengthens your daily routine.
World Class Beauty Queens Magazine: What are your tips for learning better pageant walk?
Practice, Practice, Practice! Pro-tip: practice especially in the shoes and outfits you will be competing in. This gives you an opportunity to feel at ease in your wardrobe and focus on everything else you will need to be focused on during the pageant.
World Class Beauty Queens Magazine: What are your tips for choosing right pageant dress?
When searching for a gown, choose something because you love it, because it makes you feel elegant, empowered and confident. Try not to choose something because you think it is the look the judges have in mind. The judges should be looking at the girl in the gown, not being overwhelmed with this amazing gown.
World Class Beauty Queens Magazine: What are your tips for winning interview?
Be yourself! Everyone is nervous when they enter the interview room, including the judges. Just live in the moment, be relatable, be everything that makes you, YOU. After the pageant, if you are not the one walking away with the crown, remember the crown in your heart and trust that you are being led to where you need to be.
World Class Beauty Queens Magazine: What is one mistake that you've done during competing you wish you could redo and fix it?
During one of the first pageants I competed in I used one of those basic drugstore sticker nails. I highly do not recommend using these for a pageant. Every time I was changing my shoes or turned around, one of the nails had fallen off. It was a nightmare. I have since learned to make sure to have you manicure done before you head to the pageant.
World Class Beauty Queens Magazine: What other mistakes are made by girls during the contest?
I truly believe one of the biggest mistakes girls make is getting in their own mind too much. Instead of focusing on how to be the best them on camera or stage and off, the pageant energy and sisterly drama does its thing. Being a contestant is inviting criticism and comparison; we sabotage ourselves when we start comparing instead of empowering. My advice is to make sure to take time for you away from all the pageant world, even if it is just to take a moment and reflect on the portion of the week that was just completed. That simple re-set opportunity opens the door if you feel overwhelmed.
World Class Beauty Queens Magazine: Any modeling or acting experience?
Having a Bachelor’s in theater, I used to basically live onstage and backstage. My favorite roles include “Esmeralda” in Hunchback of Notre Dame, “Wendy” in Peter Pan, “Mary Hatch” in It’s A Wonderful Life, “Anne” in La Cage Aux Folles, “Ariel” in A Tempest,” and “Alice” in Alice in Wonderland. On Screen credits, you can see me in the Sundance-Award-Winner, Big Time Adolescence with Pete Davidson, Jon Cryer, and Griffin Gluck.
World Class Beauty Queens Magazine: What are your plans for 2022 as a Queen?
The Crown is a symbol of service and that is just what I aim to do through my partnership with Make A Wish and my connections within the film and design world. I hope to host a 24hour project or design contest to get those creative juices flowing. My goal is to always leave footsteps others would want to follow.
World Class Beauty Queens Magazine: What kind of legacy do you want to leave behind?
The Legacy I want to leave is one that inspires everyone to share their stories: to connect with others and therein to create lasting, healing bonds and lead to life-changing memories.
International Director: Krisann Binetti & Holly Sour
Your Local Director: Ruben Velez
Pageant website:InternationalUnitedMiss.com
Name of the Photographer and other credits: Amelia Beamish Photography
World Class Beauty Queens Magazine would like to say thank you for this amazing interview! Interview by Derek Tokarzewski Owner/Editor in Chief of World Class Beauty Queens Magazine.
Kimberly G. Grader International United Ms. North New York 2021-2022, World Class Beauty Queens Magazine, Photo by Amelia Beamish Photography
Interview by Derek Tokarzewski Owner/Editor in Chief Mr United Nations 2018 Platform: Women Empowerment Ambassador to International Foundation for Orphans iffocares.org
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