Saugus girl preps for pageant competition

SAUGUS – A local 8-year-old will be competing with dozens of other girls from across the state in the annual National American Miss Massachusetts Pageant.Mary D?Eon of Saugus will head to the CoCo Key Hotel and Water Resort in Danvers from Aug. 2 through 4 for the pageant, and said she was “so happy” when she first found out she was chosen.As a dancer and a member of the Theater Company of Saugus, D?Eon said she?s not nervous about the big competition, and said she?s looking forward to “meeting people and having fun with friends” she meets.?I have to prepare for a walk on stage with an escort and I have to talk to the judges,” said D?Eon. “I?ve been in front of people but I haven?t been talking in front of a lot of people.”D?Eon?s mom, Phyllis Scalia-D?Eon, said her daughter was nominated by a family friend whom she dances with at Sheila Rosanio?s School of Dance in Revere.?She didn?t tell me she nominated her,” she said. “I got a paper in the mail saying your child has been nominated. When I spoke to my friend ? she told me she nominated her and she said they don?t always accept the nominations. I was thrilled beyond belief. I know how charming she can be so I just figured she wowed them with her charm. They were very interested in having her.”D?Eon will compete in four main categories: a formal section, a personal introduction, a private interview with judges and community involvement. D?Eon will also be doing a solo dance routine for the voluntary talent category, something she is no stranger to.?I?ve been winning first place for my solo and group numbers for dancing,” said D?Eon.D?Eon said she?s going to be escorted onstage by her 16-year-old brother Joshua. When asked why she chose him, her answer was simple, “Because I love him so much,” said D?Eon.Scalia-D?Eon acknowledged there?s a stigma that comes with pageants, but stressed the Miss Massachusetts Pageant is nothing like the ones portrayed on reality TV.?There?s no makeup allowed for 12 years old and under, which is huge because when I mention to friends that she?s going to be involved in a pageant they immediately say, ?Oh, “Toddlers and Tiaras!” Don?t do that!? I told them it?s not “Toddlers and Tiaras” because there?s no makeup allowed,” she said. “They want 8-year-olds to look 8. They?re more about teaching the girls self-confidence, self-respect, poise and being able to speak in public.”Scalia-D?Eon also said the families involved become very close and parents root for everyone, not just their own child.?From what I understand, these parents in these pageants, they really root for each other,” said Scalia-D?Eon. “It?s almost like a family. That?s the sense that I got from being there. We actually wanted the kid in front of us to do well. It?s the same feeling I get when I?m at dance with her.”D?Eon, who is also a member of the local Girl Scout troop, said she?s been practicing her speech she will give to judges and is excited to get to stay at a hotel.But what?s even more exciting is the grand prize, said D?Eon. If she takes first place, D?Eon will win $1,000 cash, and airfare and tickets for two to Disneyland in California, according to Scalia-D?Eon.D?Eon, a student at Veterans Memorial Elementary School, said she?s going to take her mom if she wins.However, Scalia-D?Eon said she has to get there first. The entry fee for the pageant is $440 and Scalia-D?Eon said she?s looking for sponsors for her daughter to help pay for the costs.?We can either pay that out of pocket or get people to sponsor you,” said Scalia-D?Eon. “She?s gotten people from dance to sponsor her along with Metro PCS on Central Street and Coastal Milling Work. People can donate anything they want.”Anyone interested in sponsoring can email Scalia-D?Eon at [email protected] or visit namiss.com.Matt Tempesta can be reached at [email protected].