Kids Join the Fun: Showcase Competition Adds Youth Category

Editor's Note: Pam Markel and Dwayne Ibsen, NCA past presidents, have been writing a series of articles about NCA’s various awards. Please enjoy this article about the addition of a Youth Category. You can find many other articles on the awards by clicking here.

During the 1970s and 1980s, the Costumer’s Showcase Competition really took off. Some conventions had over 100 entries, each one hoping to win the Grand International. The 1970s brought interest in allowing children to participate. There were no rules for the Youth Category. Anything they wanted to come up with was fine. It could be created by the contestant or by the shop. Since most companies used the convention as a family vacation, many children were in attendance. Margaret Trosclair’s (Trosclairs Costumes) granddaughter Brandy was one of the first to enter the Youth Category. Her beautiful white, Southern Belle outfit complete with matching parasol, caused quite a sensation. After that, there were many children who entered the Youth Competition…and “because every child is a winner,” each entry received a First-Place trophy. The Youth Category continued

thru the 2000s. It was a favorite at each convention.

National Conventions were such special events, complete with jaw dropping talent, many moments of sharing and most of all the opportunity for valuable mentoring and sharing of ideas.

Your Past Presidents,

Dwayne Ibsen and Pam Markel