The child-mentoring organization “Me, Myself, and I” will hold its second Ms. V.I.P (voluptuous, intelligent, and pretty) pageant auditions in Watkins Auditorium in the UC October 10 and 11 at 4 p.m.

“The pageant isn’t for plus size ladies with physical beauty; we are looking for positive role models who just so happen to be plus size,” said Krystle Jones, founder of “Me, Myself, and I.“

Contestants will be judged by a panel of five in the categories of interview, poise, dress/style and talent. However, the most important category, community service, will be judged by local children to whom the organization mentors.

Because “Me, Myself, and I” mentors to children, Jones says that it’s appropriate that the children have direct input on who wins the title.

“The girls have to present their platforms to the children and the children actually vote on their performance and their delivery of the material. They let us know if they learned anything and if they feel like they could relate to them as speakers. We do a lot of traveling and speaking with the organization and we need a girl that is well poised and confident in her speaking abilities,” said Jones.

Jones wants to remind potential contestants that the Ms. V.I.P. crown comes with responsibilities to the youth and the 2007 Ms. V.I.P. will be asked to volunteer time and efforts to the organization and the community.

Jones says that beauty has little to do with the pageant.

“A huge portion of the pageant is based on the interview in which we try to determine who has a true desire to make positive changes in their community. There is a strong emphasis on intelligence. The contestants have to be aware of current events on a local, national and international level.”

The top contestants scoring the highest categorically will receive chronological placement as Ms. V.I.P. and Ms. V.I.P. runner-up. Other titles include Ms. Congeniality and Most Photogenic.

“The organization tries to organize at least one event per month,” says Jones. “Whether it’s an etiquette workshop, a lecture on self-esteem, or a makeover session, our No. 1 goal is self-acceptance, hence the name of the organization ‘Me, Myself, and I.’ If we can get people to realize their stronger qualities and not focus on the lesser qualities then we have done our job.”
UTM female students between the ages of 18 and 29, sizes 12 and up are welcome to enter the pageant. There is a $30 entry fee.

Contestants are also asked to wear dress or business attire and bring two photos: a headshot and a body shot. Contestants should be prepared to do a talent. No pageant experience is needed.

Also in the plans for “Me, Myself and I” is a swimsuit calendar made up of UTM students and sold to students and anyone else who is interested.

Students are invited to openly audition for a 2007 swimsuit calendar which will be sold to benefit “Me, Myself, and I.” Auditions will be held October 3 and 4 at 4 p.m. in Watkins Auditorium.

Those auditioning will be asked to model swimwear and briefly pose on stage; photographs will be taken.

“This is one of the biggest fundraisers that ‘Me, Myself, and I’ conducts during the year to raise money to sponsor various workshops that we do throughout the year, all aimed at self-acceptance,” says Jones, a former model and Barbizon Modeling Instructor.

During the past two years, the calendar primarily featured male models but this year will feature both male and female. Auditions are open to everyone.

Jones says that this year they are looking to diversify the calendar and step it up a notch.

“We were very pleased with last year’s calendar, but we want this calendar to be softer and sexier,” she said.

“You do not have to be a size two to pose for the calendar. As long as you are comfortable wearing and look good in the your swimsuit of choice, can take direction when in front of the camera, and have a good attitude, we can work with you,” Jones adds.

The calendars will feature a different model or models for each month and will be sold at the beginning of the spring semester.

“Me, Myself, and I” is credited with organizing other campus events such as Noche de la Salsa, A Grown Man’s Conversation, Girl Talk, The Ultimate Weight Challenge, the Ms. V.I.P pageant and various modeling, acting, etiquette workshops and tutoring and educational programs for children.

“Me, Myself, and I” was founded in the summer of 2004, and has provided many children in the Martin, Dyersburg, Jackson and Memphis area with counseling and mentoring services. Jones says that in the future she hopes to take the organization to regional and national levels.

For more information on the 2007 swimsuit calendar or other campus events organized by “Me, Myself, and I,” contact Jones at krymjone@mars.utm.edu.