Pageant Guidelines
Teen, Miss, Ms., Mrs., Classic Divisions
| Interview | 30% of score |
| Casual Wear Modeling | 25% of score |
| On-Stage Interview | 10% of score |
| Fitness | 15% of score |
| Evening Gown | 20% of score |
| Total Score | 100% |
| Talent (optional category) | 25% of score (the higher score between the required Casual Wear (all MUST compete) and the optional Talent will be used.) |
| Photogenic | Additional competition area with awards |
Prince, Petite Miss, Little Miss Divisions
| Interview | 30% of score |
| Casual Wear Modeling | 30% of score |
| On-Stage Interview | 10% of score |
| Party Wear | 30% of score |
| Total Score | 100% |
| Talent (optional category) | 30% of score (the higher score between the required Casual Wear (all MUST compete) and the optional Talent will be used.) |
| Photogenic | Additional competition area with awards |
Many people feel this is the most important aspect of competition, simply because it is the only chance the judges have to meet with you one-on-one and visit with you about things that are important to you. They want to get to know the real you! Your questions can include a wide variety of topics such as world affairs, local politics, your family, career goals and how you intend to achieve them, and of course, your platform! So know it inside and out!!!
Format
Prior to the pageant, you will have a panel interview with judges. You will have 45-seconds for an opening to tell the judges about yourself along with other pertinent information. Be ready for 8 1/2 minutes of rapid questions. At the end of this period, contestants will be asked if there are any additional issues that they would like to comment on or clarify. There is an optional 45-second closing that is to be used to discuss issues that as of yet have not been discussed. If not used, the interview ends at this point. Interview lasts a maximum of 10 minutes.
How do you prepare?
Know the information you supplied on your application pages. If you are just defining your community service platform, find out what you can about it. What is it about the platform that is important to you. How would you make a difference? Get to know yourself, feel good about who you are, accept your challenges and work to overcome them. Be honest with yourself and others. Make a concentrated effort to keep up on things that are going on in the world around you. Develop your opinions on how you feel about those issues. Read a newspaper or news website as often as you can; watch CNN and other news programs. Get the family and friends involved. Many of them may have a few more minutes a day than you do. Have them stay current and have them quiz you. Make sure they also have the correct answers. Just remember that an 'opinion' question has no right or wrong answer. Get active in your community and school, and actually get out there and promote your platform if you can. The experience of speaking in front of strangers will work wonders. Take advantage of every opportunity available to you. Join a Toastmasters or other speaking club, even if it's temporary.
Things to do in your Interview
Listen carefully to each question. Respond to the judge who asked you first, but maintain eye contact with the entire judging panel. Handle difficult or awkward questions with confidence and skill. It is also okay to say, "I'm sorry, I do not know the answer to your question," if you should be asked something you know nothing about. Don't be afraid to let your sense of humor and personality shine through. Relax, visit and have a conversation with the judges. REMEMBER TO KEEP YOUR ANSWERS CONCISE ENOUGH TO ANSWER THE QUESTION. DO NOT RAMBLE ON. You will waste valuable time. Project your voice. Speak clearly and distinctly, using good grammar. Enter and exit the room, and stand during your interview, with good posture and confidence. You may use the podium; stand in front of it or move to the side...whichever is most comfortable to you. Dress for the job you want. Wear a nicely tailored business suit or dress appropriate for you. Make sure it is a complimentary color for you. Check yourself from head to toe and make sure everything is exactly as you want it. SMILE and have FUN!!! You have the judges' undivided attention, so use it to your best advantage.
For more information in the preparation of a platform / community service program...see the bottom of the page. Good Luck!
Things not to do
Don't be shy and reserved or exhibit nervous behavior, for example clenching fists, swaying, playing with your hair or clothes. Do not chew gum. Avoid using teen age slang terms...you know, ya, okay, like! Don't ramble on. Don't wear wrinkled clothing, chipped nail polish, extreme make up or scuffed shoes.
Criteria for Judging
Qualities and attributes of the US America Woman is; Overall first impression; Personal appearance; Intelligence; Validated opinions; Speech, vocabulary and grammar; Responses in context; Style; Emotional control.
Interview Suit Examples
Teen/Miss Ms. Mrs. Classic
In the pageants you will have a 5-minute interview to be asked age appropriate questions by the judges. Each contestant will be allowed to have an introduction of any kind. There are no specifics for this introduction. The judges will be using the contestants resume sheets for a guide to the questions. These will be topics they are familiar with every day. The goal of this interview is to see the contestant's personality and get to know them. At the end of this period, the timekeeper will notify contestants. No concluding remarks will be made.
This area of competition will have a separate award for the winners. If you participate in the talent competition during the preliminary competition, the higher of your two scores between modeling and talent will be used in your composite score. If a finals competition is taking place, no talent scores will be used in the actual finals competition. ALL contestants compete in modeling even if they are doing talent.
Format
Your performance must be a minimum of 2 minutes and cannot exceed 2.5 minutes. Pre-recorded accompaniment disks should be of professional quality, and you will be required to have two (2) CD's. Talent is a vehicle by which judges can discern and measure a contestant's commitment and discipline to her stage performance.
Things to Do - How to Prepare
Be creative with your talent selection; don't be afraid to use new material. Make it enjoyable to watch and comfortable to perform. PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE. PERFORM, PERFORM, PERFORM. Take advantage of every opportunity to perform your talent (i.e. church, school, community events, family gatherings, etc.) Ask other professionals for their help and opinions. Exhibit confidence in whatever talent you perform. The stage is yours for those 2.5 minutes so exhibit a commanding presence, and leave them wanting more!
Things Not to Do
If you should lose your focus during your talent presentation continue on as if nothing is wrong. Chances are you are the only one who will notice. Remember, the judges and the audience have no idea what is in store for them.Criteria for Judging
Executive Director has final say whether or not a talent presentation is appropriate.
All aspects of the talent performance will be considered by the judges. These will include, but not be limited to: stage presence, preparation, musicality, talent selection appropriateness, level of accomplishment, showmanship, staging, transitions, composition of routine, ability, costume and props are to be considered. Technical skill level (execution, technique, etc.). Personality. Interpretive ability. Stage Presence (on-stage personality). Totality of all elements (costume, props, voice, use of body, choreography). The most important criteria is how well the contestant entertained the judges and audience.
Some rules include:
- Talent performance selections must not be longer than two and one half (2:30). This time begins when the music starts and ends on the last note. The selections will be timed and the judges will be notified of any infractions.
- There is to be no fire, smoke, fog, swords or weapons of any kind used in the competition.
- All props must be used in the act as part of the act if they are on stageβ¦scenery will not be permitted.
- Vocal tracks cannot have background vocals.
- For tap dancers, there should be no taps on recorded accompaniment.
- Gymnast may use one mat in performance.
- A piano will be furnished with at least two weeks notice
- No throwing of objects from the stage
- Stages, floors adn performance spaces will be limited to what is available. We must all be flexible.
- There is to be no fire, smoke, fog, swords or weapons of any kind used in the competition.
This area of competition allows the contestant to show her dedication to physical fitness and good nutrition. US America titleholders can change cities every 18-24 hrs. and she is on the road making appearances in excess of 360 days during her year of service. She has to be in good physical condition to keep up with that grueling schedule. Good nutritional habits are also a must.
Teen, Miss, Ms., Mrs.
These contestants will compete in a swimsuit of their choice. Swimsuits may be one or two-piece styles, but should be worn in good taste. Make sure the suit is lined, as the stage lights are strong. Remember it is the US America title you are competing for. Shoes must be worn, preferably contemporary sandals, the heel height of your choice. The Executive Director has the ability to determine if the swimsuit is appropriate for the stage.
Things to do
Select a swimsuit that fits you well and supports you without riding up. Practice walking in front of a mirror in your swimsuit to become more confident and to adjust your stride so that your gate is spirited but natural. Watch your posture! Shoulders back, stomach in. Practice your turns so that you can complete them naturally without losing eye contact with your judges. (If you find your suit continually rides up you may want to purchase firm grip to help hold it in place.)
Classic
These contestants may compete an outfit that demonstrates their ability to stay fit. Some such examples may include, but not be limited to: sportswear, swimsuit, tennis outfit, running suit, etc. Find something that expresses who you are and how you stay fit.
Criteria for Judging
Qualities and attributes of the US America woman; Overall first Impression; Statement of physical fitness and health; Overall physique which is pleasing to her height, weight and bone structure; Sense of attractiveness and confidence; Stage presence; Technique; including walk, posture and grace.
This is the elegance and grace portion of the competition. Keep in mind during evening wear competition that it is you being judged, not the evening clothes you are wearing. This is, however, a time for your stage presence to shine. Relax, be yourself and let your true beauty shine through. Let the audience see your self-confidence and poise and personality and let them shine beyond the footlights.
How to prepare
Select a gown that you would feel comfortable wearing for an evening out on the town for a formal occasion. Make sure it fits properly (no puckers or creases). Select a color and fabric that look good on you. Make sure you feel comfortable in the gown. You should wear it...it should not wear you. It doesn't have to be beaded or expensive to look like a million bucks on you. Personal style is very important.
Things to do
Qualities and attributes of a US America queen; Overall first impression; Sense of confidence, personality and stage presence; Technique, including walking and posture; Appropriateness of attire; Sense of attractiveness.
Criteria for Judging
Qualities and attributes of US America Queens; Overall first impression; Sense of confidence, personality and stage presence; Technique, including walking and posture; Appropriateness of attire; Sense of attractiveness.
Examples
Teen/Miss Ms. Mrs. Classic
The judges will be instructed to consider the contestants; not just the outfit or physical appearance. Appropriateness of the garment, grooming, poise, beauty, over-all self-confidence and personality in the selection will be considered. Party Wear Rules - Age appropriate clothing is required. The Executive Director of the pageant has the final decision whether an outfit is appropriate or not. Their decision is final.
The casual wear phase of competition is designed for the contestant to present herself as a dynamic, contemporary, beautiful and 'natural' young woman. The competition should reveal if the contestant reflects a woman in your division. This is an opportunity to see if the contestant can connect with the audience. The casual wear should compliment the contestant's personality and express her style and preferences. Judges are not to judge the casual wear itself and keep in mind that what is trendy casual wear in a metropolitan area may not be the same as casual wear in a rural area. Her casual wear (not the value of the casual wear) should complement the contestant's individuality.
How to prepare
In selecting your outfit, review your favorite current magazines. You can duplicate looks right off the runways of New York and Milan by finding pieces similar to those you see. Be creative. Show your style and personality. Prepare by practicing your best style of a model walking on a runway. Practice strong eye contact and performance techniques to communicate and connect with the audience. The executive director will instruct you on what is expected at each pageant. There will be the opportunity in the rehearsal for the pageant to gain catwalk skills. You are not expected to be perfect. This is the category to have fun with and show your personality.
Criteria for Judging
Prince, Petite Miss, Little Miss (30% of score)
The judges will be instructed to consider the contestants;not just the outfit or physical appearance. Appropriateness of the garment, grooming, poise, beauty, over-all self-confidence and personality in the selection will be considered. Casual Wear Rules: Age appropriate clothing is required. The executive director has the final decision whether an outfit is appropriate or not. Their decision is final.
Casual Wear Examples
Teen/Miss Ms. Mrs. Classic
There will be two to three on stage questions. They will be general in nature and not related to your platform. This is an opportunity for the judges to get to know another side of you in a public setting. Each contestant will draw a question from the emcee and have an opportunity to answer it.
Things to Do
Practice by having family and friends ask you general questions centered on you.
Criteria for Judging
This category will take place after Casual Wear. They will wear their casual wear for this part of the competition. This is a chance for the judges to see how well the contestant can speak in public. Age appropriate questions will be asked. This is a PESONALITY question; not an intelligence question. Honest answers are going to be best. On-Stage Question Rules; The contestants will be asked a question based upon their age and interest. This information will come from their registration form that you will fill out.
Photogenic
Each contestant may choose to enter photogenic. Each contestant may enter one picture per entry fee paid. There is a limit of three entries considered by each contestant. The photo must be 5x7 only. Color or black and white is acceptable. The picture must be labeled on the back with the contestants name just as it appears on the entry form. The contestant's birthday must also be listed on the back.
Photogenic - Judged on all areas of the photograph submitted. The criteria include basis of photographic beauty, captured personality or mood, technical quality of photograph, composition and design of photograph, the ability of contestant to share her true self in the image.
Photogenic Rules; The photograph may be either a professional or personal snap shot. It is your choice. The image must be a 5x7, black and white or color, your choice, and will NOT be returned.
Cocktail Dress (Nationals Only)
Check here for more information coming soon!
Selecting Your Platform-Community Service Issue - Search your heart and soul to find the one issue that you honestly believe in so strongly that you would give as much of your free time to it as possible. If your conviction runs that deeply, no one will be able to challenge it. The biggest mistake contestants make is they don't think far enough in advance. Select an issue of national importance. DO IT NOW! Focus on the complete picture. The same projects that can be supported locally can be supported nationally, and will be. Do it and see! Select your platform and make a difference! Letting your passion for your project shine through will make you feel so good about yourself and what you are doing that your project can't help but be a success. Develop an action plan and implement it. Have it up and running by the time you compete. Yes, you will have to work fast!!! Keep in mind, the US America Queen hits the ground running on the night she is crowned and doesn't get to slow down until her year of service is complete. That's the job you're applying for, isn't it?
