Dear Potential Contestant:

Transcription

1 Dear Potential Contestant: On behalf of the entire staff of the Miss Amory Railroad Festival Pageant, we appreciate your interest in our pageant. The role of a local titleholder is a great privilege that comes with great responsibility. We are pleased to extend to you this information that should answer any questions regarding the 2013 pageant. We are a part of the Miss Mississippi Pageant, Inc. and part of the Miss America Organization, which provides millions of dollars in scholarship money to contestants throughout the United States. In addition to scholarships, our pageant offers you the opportunity to sharpen qualities of character, talent, and leadership that you can use for the rest of your life. As a local titleholder, you will make appearances, using both your talent and speaking ability. You will be a special guest at the 35 th Annual Amory Railroad Festival to be held April 11-14, Your attendance at the festival is required. You will also represent the Amory Railroad Festival in the 2013 Miss Mississippi Pageant held in Vicksburg July 10-13, The winner of the Miss Mississippi pageant will go on to compete in the Miss America Pageant. At each level, the winner and alternates receive scholarship money that will help further their education. In addition a NON-REFUNDABLE $ donation must be made to the Children s Miracle Network. There is a separate page attached with instructions on how to complete this step in the application process. This is a Miss America requirement and must be done before competition begins. We will have a computer on site the day of the pageant and will verify this information before interviews begin. If you are not registered at that time, be prepared to pay your donation with a credit or debit card. You will not be allowed to begin interview until this has been resolved. Talent selections cannot exceed 90 seconds. Talents will be timed at rehearsal and those going over 90 seconds will be required to cut the time down to 90 seconds or you will not be allowed to compete. The pageant will be held on October 6, 2012 at 7:00 pm at the Amory High School auditorium in Amory. Registration for the contestants will begin at 8:30 that morning at the Amory High School auditorium located at 1006 Sam Haskell Circle in Amory. A short orientation and production rehearsal will start at 9:00 am. Interviews for the Teen contestants will commence at 11:00 am. at the Amory Regional Museum located at rd Street South in Amory. The interviews for the Miss contestants will begin at 12:30 p.m. at the Museum. There will be someone available to guide you to the interview site. If you leave after rehearsal, please be at the Museum at least 15 minutes prior to your interview time. You will have talent rehearsal immediately following your interview and will be allowed 10 minutes on the stage, make the most of this time! You will be free to leave the auditorium after your talent rehearsal. You must be back at the auditorium no later than 6:00 pm the night of the pageant. If you have any questions about any phase of the pageant or about pageant clothing, please do not hesitate to ask. We are here to help you to be your best! As you consider this opportunity, remember you could be the next Miss Amory Railroad Festival, Miss Mississippi or even Miss America it s all up to you! PAGEANT DATE IS: October 6, Sincerely, Bo Miller Director bomiller@cityofamoryms.com (cell) (work) Page 1 of 15

2 APPLICATION PACKET INSTRUCTIONS 1. Local Contract If you will be only 17-years-old on the day of the pageant, a parent or legal guardian must sign this contract. We would recommend that all contestants read the Local contract and have your parent or legal guardian read it as well. All Teen contestants must have this contract signed by a parent or guardian. 2. Copy of Birth Certificate You must include a copy of your birth certificate to verify your age COPIES OF FACT SHEET. The copies will be given to directly to the judges as you provided it to us. No changes will be made to the FACT SHEET you turn in. The FACT SHEET can be no longer than one page and must be typed; fact sheets that exceed one page will only have the first page included in the judges books COPIES PLATFORM QUESTIONNAIRE The Miss America Organization, the Miss Mississippi Pageant, and the Miss Amory Railroad Festival Pageant encourage the young women who participate in the program to become involved in the community, to develop a Platform, and to speak out on issues of concern to them, their communities, and to the nation. If you are selected as a local titleholder, you should have an issue to focus on during your Year of Service. Your Platform Questionnaire can be no longer than one page and must be typed, platform sheets that are longer than one page will only have the first page included in the judges books. 5. Proof of Residence To compete in this pageant, you must have either: 1. Lived in the state of Mississippi for at least six months prior to your entry into the pageant; Miss Amory Railroad Festival is open statewide; Miss Amory Railroad Festival Outstanding Teen is open statewide. OR 2. Must be presently enrolled AND be attending classes on a full-time basis at an accredited college or university in Mississippi. OR 3. Been employed in the state of Mississippi full-time (at least 40-hours per week) for at least six months anywhere in Mississippi for the open title. You must be able to PROVE your residency with ONE of the following: 1. Driver s license, automobile registration, current lease, or other official document that establishes residency for six months prior to the date of the pageant (Be dated on or before April 6, 2012); OR 2. College transcript from the qualifying college or university showing enrollment as of the spring Page 2 of 15

3 semester 2012 OR 3. Name, address, and phone number of current employer, along with job title and dates of employment. You may be asked to provide additional proof if you are selected as our local titleholder. You must be at least a 17-year-old High School Senior & no older than 24-years-old on December 31, 2013 to compete in the Miss pageant. If you turn 25 at any time during 2013, you cannot compete this pageant year. * To compete in the Teen pageant, contestants must be between the ages of 13 and 17, not in her senior year of high school. You must comply with all guidelines set forth in the state & local contract set forth by the Miss America Organization as well the local pageant contract. Do not complete the Contestant # on any of the forms included. Contestant number/competition order will be drawn by pageant committee. 6. Talent Request No talent is allowed to repeat during the competition. The first contestant with completed application requesting a specific song will reserve that song for competition. In case of duplication, the second contestant will be notified that a different selection must be made. The only exception to this rule: A singer can sing the same song that a dancer is dancing to. Example: A singer can sing River Deep, Mountain High and a dancer is allowed to dance to the same song. We will make every effort to separate these talents in the lineup, but that cannot be guaranteed. 7. Community Service Questionnaire Please complete the community service questionnaire information accurately. This information must be reported to the Miss Mississippi organization and to the Miss America Organization. **Please note: Teen contestants DO NOT compete in Swimsuit. Instead, they compete in Fitness wear. Also, Teen talents may be up to 2 minutes, not the 90 seconds allotted to Miss Contestants. All other rules and paperwork remain the same.** Page 3 of 15

4 2013 Miss Amory Railroad Festival Pageant Checklist (Return this form with your application packet; please initial each line to indicate you have included each item in your application packet) Contestant s Name: The following items must be sent in to us in order for your application to be considered complete: 1 COMPLETED Local Contract, signed by contestant and notarized (parent must also sign if under 18) 6 COPIES OF Platform Essay 6 COPIES OF Fact Sheet Signed by Contestant 1 Copy of Birth Certificate 1 Proof of Residence (This can be a copy of your Driver s license, utility bill or apartment lease) 1 Talent Request Form Talent Music (if any) on CD only! 90 seconds or less in length! Please submit 2 CDs. 1 Community Service Questionnaire Proof of registration and collection of required money with Children s Miracle Network, we have access to the CMN website and will be able to verify your account. Return all of the items on the list to: MISS AMORY RAILROAD FESTIVAL PAGEANT POST OFFICE BOX 131 AMORY, MS Your application is not complete until we have everything! Page 4 of 15

5 COMPETITION INFORMATION Phases of Competition (In Competition order): 10-minute private interview with selection panel. No opening, but may use closing. 25% Lifestyle and Fitness in Swimsuit 15% your choice of one or two-piece swimsuit. Talent 35% 90 second talent presentation Evening Wear 20% On-Stage Interview 5% On-stage question will come from your interview.. You will have 20 seconds to answer the question CONTESTANTS IN THE OPENING NUMBER/PARADE OF CONTESTANTS NEED TO WEAR A COCKTAIL DRESS OF THEIR CHOOSING INSTEAD OF THEIR INTERVIEW OUTFIT. Page 5 of 15

6 PERSONAL DATA SHEET Miss Amory Railroad Festival Scholarship Pageants Name: Address: Mailing Address: Home Phone: Cell Phone: School Phone: College: Platform: Date of Birth: Age: Talent (Type and Name of Selection): Parents Names and Cell Numbers: address: Parents addresses: Page 6 of 15

7 Name: Hometown: Date of Birth: Education: Platform Issue: Scholastic/Career Ambition: Talent: Scholastic Honors: Leadership Roles: Accomplishments: Interesting Facts: Employment: What impact can the Miss America Organization and its contestants have on society through the partnership with Children s Miracle Network? What is the best way to make Miss America more relevant to people of your age? If you could create and produce one single event that would best utilize the partnership between the Miss America Organizatio n and Children s Miracle Network, what would it be and how would you do? Page 7 of 15

8 CONTESTANT NAME: LOCAL TITLE: Miss Amory Railroad Festival PLATFORM ISSUE: 1. Clearly define the platform issue, to which you are sincerely committed, have been personally involved with and for which you will be an activist during your year of service. 2. What are your most significant accomplishments to date concerning your platform issue, including your involvement in non-profit or other related organizations on a national, state and/or local level? 3. Specifically, what do you wish to accomplish during your year of service and which major non-profits, corporations or other organizations would you like to partner with as an activist for your platform on a statewide level?. Page 8 of 15

9 MISS MISSISSIPPI LOCAL PRELIMINARY COMMUNITY SERVICE QUESTIONAIRE PLEASE COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONAIRE AND RETURN IT TO THE PAGEANT DIRECTORS WITH YOUR APPLICATION PACKET. NAME: TITLE OF PLATFORM: NUMBER OF HOURS SPENT PROMOTING PLATFORM: AMOUNT OF MONEY YOU HAVE RAISED: NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN DIRECTLY IMPACTED BY YOUR EFFORTS: THIS INFORMATION MUST BE SUBMITTED TO THE MISS MISSISSIPPI AND MISS AMERICA PAGEANTS, SO BE AS ACCURATE AS POSSIBLE WITH YOUR NUMBERS. Page 9 of 15

10 2010 TALENT REQUEST FORM NAME Talent category in which you will perform (please be specific, i.e. ballet, classical vocal, popular vocal, tap, piano, etc...): Name of selection Composer or author Will you use an accompaniment track on CD? Will you use props? If you use props, you are responsible for placing and removing them from the stage. Microphone Preference (Please circle one): Stand Hand-Held Lavaliere No Preference Floor Mic for Tap Instrument Mic Piano Other (please specify) NO MIC TALENT INTRODUCTION: (30 words or less) Page 10 of 15

11 WHAT TO BRING TO THE PAGEANT Competition attire: Interview: Suit (Skirt or Pants) or Dress. Appropriate jewelry, shoes, etc. You are applying for a job and this is your job interview! Swimsuit: One or two-piece swimsuit. Suits should be well lined, remember you will be wearing this on stage with stage lighting. Shoes should compliment,. You may want to use Firm Grip or some other product to keep the bottoms in place. NO PANTYHOSE, THONGS OR STRING BIKINIS! Remember YOUR grandparents may be in the audience!! Evening Wear: Your choice of evening attire, shoes, jewelry, etc. Talent: Your choice, whatever is appropriate & in good taste for your talent. Please note Talent must be completed in 90 seconds. Be prepared to practice your talent immediately following your interview on Saturday. Production attire Opening number production attire will be your interview suit.. It should be tasteful, fitting and should reflect contestant s personal style. Other things to bring: Electrical power strip for anything you might need to plug in! Make-up Rolling Clothes Rack Hair products, curling irons, hot curlers, etc Our dressing Rooms have adequate lighting and mirrors, please do not bring additional mirrors, they will only be in your way. Robe or cover-up to wear in the dressing room You may want to bring a small rolling rack to hang your competition clothes. Anything else you might need to get ready for competition. Page 11 of 15

12 Miss Amory Railroad Festival Pageant Rules 1. RESPECT YOURSELF AND OTHERS! Treat everyone involved with the pageant the way you want to be treated. Our volunteers have put in a lot of work to get everything ready for today. Make sure you thank them! 2. HAVE FUN. Make friends. Don t take yourself too seriously. We know you re nervous, but take a deep breath and smile. 3. ARRIVE ON TIME. Remember, Miss Mississippi is NEVER late for an appearance. 4. ONLY ONE DRESSING ROOM ASSISTANT PER CONTESTANT ALLOWED IN DRESSING ROOMS you are required to do your own hair and makeup at the state pageant, so we recommend that you do that here as well. One backstage pass per contestant will be issued the day of the pageant. 5. BE PREPARED. You will have a much better experience if you are prepared for each phase of the competition. 6. PAY ATTENTION DURING REHEARSALS. We only have a few hours for you to learn the production numbers and get ready to compete. Excess chatter will NOT be tolerated! 7. THANK YOU S If you are selected as one of our local titleholders, we ask that you write Thank You notes to sponsors and donors as soon after the pageant as possible. You will be provided an address list soon after the pageant. 8. CELL PHONES must be turned off during the pageant. You should be focused on the competition and not what is going on elsewhere. Only CONTESTANTS are allowed in the stage/backstage/wings area. Only one person is allowed in the DRESSING ROOMS to assist the contestant. WE HAVE EXTREMELY LIMITED SPACE IN OUR DRESSING ROOMS AND BACKSTAGE. Page 12 of 15

13 Children s Miracle Network Mandatory Donation Information Children's Miracle Network is now the official national platform of the Miss America Organization. This year we are asking each contestant to set a minimum goal that will raise $100 for a Local Pageant to benefit the Miss America Scholarship Fund and Children's Miracle Network in order to participate. In order to compete, you must visit the website: You should register on the site immediately and begin collecting your donations. All contestants must register once each year. You must set your goal for each competition. If you have competed already this season, you won t need to reregister, but you will need to increase your goal by $ in order to compete for Miss Amory Railroad Festival. This is a mandatory fee required for competition. This is a Miss America Organization requirement. Page 13 of 15

14 Miss Amory Railroad Festival Contestant Contract As a Contestant in Miss Amory Railroad Festival Pageants I agree to the following terms: 1. I attest that I am a citizen of the United States and that I am a resident of the state of Mississippi according to residence, school attendance, or employment. I verify that I reside at the following address: Or that I am a full time student at the following Mississippi School: Or that I work full time at the following business (name of business and address): 2. I verify with my birth certificate that I meet the age requirements of the Miss America organization. I am 17 to 24 years old and will not turn 25 during I am years of age, and my birthday is. If named Miss Amory Railroad Festival 2013, I agree to the following terms: 1. I understand that I must attend Miss Mississippi Contestant Orientation, all rehearsals for the 2013 Miss Mississippi Pageant and compete in the 2013 Miss Mississippi Pageant. 2. I understand that my Miss Mississippi competition wardrobe needs to be completed and approved by the pageant staff four weeks prior to the 2013 Miss Mississippi Pageant. I know that this is done to help me be the most prepared that I can be for the Miss Mississippi competition. 3. I understand that the director of the pageant must approve any appearances made in the name of the pageant. 4. I agree to show evidence of working consistently on my platform, physical appearance and talent selection. I understand that this stipulation is for my benefit in being as prepared as possible to compete for the title of Miss Mississippi I understand that my talent selection for the 2013 Miss Mississippi Pageant must be approved by the Local Pageant Directors at least one month before the Miss Mississippi Pageant Contestant's Orientation in March, I understand if I am selected as Miss Amory Railroad Festival my conduct must reflect moral standards in order to be an appropriate role model. 7. I testify that I am a student in good standing with a passing GPA. 8. I agree to have all required items for the 2013 Miss Mississippi Pageant competition submitted at least one week prior to the deadlines set forth in the Contestant's Manual, which will be provided to me as soon as it is available from the Miss Mississippi Organization. If I miss these deadlines, I may jeopardize my local and state scholarship award. 9. I agree to provide my own wardrobe for appearances and all phases of competition in the Miss Mississippi Pageant. I understand there may be wardrobe prizes associated with winning the title, but I am prepared to provide my own clothing. 10. I will provide my own transportation to and from scheduled appearances. 11. I will BE PROMPT. There is never an excuse for being late to any engagement. This will not be permitted at any time. 12. I will never take advantage of the host s hospitality. I understand that I must never give the impression that I am sick, tired, or bored. I will maintain interest, enthusiasm, and sparkle during the entire appearance. 13. I will, within 24 hours of winning the title of Miss Amory Railroad Festival, establish an address and agree to check this at least every other day. The staff of the pageant and Miss Mississippi will use this as a primary contact. 14. I will return phone calls to the Local Pageant Directors and the Miss Mississippi Staff within 24 hours or sooner if the call is flagged as urgent. This includes text messages and s. I understand that failure to do so may result in my jeopardizing my scholarship award at the local level. 15 I agree to return to crown my successor at the 2014 Miss Amory Railroad Festival Pageant. 16. If I fail to meet all deadlines set forth by the Miss Mississippi Pageant or if I fail to return to crown my successor, I will forfeit my scholarship money. 19. I understand that if I am in found to be in violation of any of these rules or others that may be established during my year of service, my crown and title may be rescinded and any scholarship money and prizes awarded, as well as my local crown must be returned to the local directors within 24 hours of written notification of such. 20. If I find it necessary to cancel any appointment, I will do so within 48 hours, unless it is an emergency situation. 21. I agree to be in attendance at the opening ceremony of the 35 th Annual Amory Railroad Festival to be held on Thursday, April 11, 2013 and to perform any duties asked of me by the Pageant committee, within reason. Page 14 of 15

15 . I understand that the Miss Amory Railroad Festival Pageant Staff will agree to the following terms: 1. They will confirm all appearances and requirements pertaining thereto. 2. They will provide time for study, rest, and vacations in regard to the interest of my good health and mental well-being. 4. They will screen all appearance requests and protect against undesirable appearances. 5. They will provide for adequate coaching, rehearsal, etc. for the role of a local Titleholder and her participation in the Mis s Mississippi Pageant. 6. They will make every effort to prepare the contestant so that she may perform at her very best for the state pageant. I have read the agreement, and understand all conditions, rules, and regulations set forth by the Miss Amory Railroad Festival Pageant Organization, and if selected to hold the title for 2013, will be able to follow and fulfill all the rules and regulations set forth in this Contract. Signature of Contestant Signature of Parent or Legal Guardian if under age 18 Date Please have this form notarized by a qualified notary public. Page 15 of 15