Miss Czech-Slovak Iowa Pageant Official Rules and Regulations

Miss Czech-Slovak Iowa Pageant Official Rules and Regulations Failure to comply with any of the below rules will result in disqualification of contestant from the Miss Czech-Slovak Iowa pageant. 1. Contestant must be between the ages of 16 and 25 prior to August 1 of the current year. She must be attending high school, junior college, technical school, college, university, be a high school graduate, or achieved a GED certificate. 2. Contestant must be a citizen or eligible to work in the United States of America. 3. Any contestant who is an Iowa resident, but is attending an accredited college or university in another state may compete in the pageant. 4. Any contestant who is not an Iowa resident, but is attending an accredited college or university in Iowa may compete in the pageant. 5. Contestant must be single, female, never married, cannot be expecting or with child, and cannot become pregnant during her reign. 6. Contestant must be of full or partial Czech, Moravian, Silesian, or Slovak descent or be legally adopted by parents of this descent. 7. Contestant may be not be a former Miss Czech-Slovak US. Contestant may have reigned as Miss Czech-Slovak Iowa for one year, but may not compete to extend her rein to two consecutive years. Reigning queen may serve as Master of Ceremonies and pass down her title at the next pageant. She may compete again for the Iowa title after a one year absence. 8. Contestant must appear in authentic or Americanized Czech/Slovak costume for the duration of the pageant. Acquiring a kroj is the responsibility of the contestant. Contestants will not wear a sash or crown during the pageant. 9. Contestants must not partake in any offensive behavior which could have a negative impact on the Iowa pageant or the Czech Heritage Foundation. Each candidate understands that she will not use or have in her possession drugs, alcohol, or tobacco at any time during the pageant weekend, as she serves as a role model to many young ladies. Contestant must use social media responsibly. Be aware and conscious about what you post online and the kind of impression the posting might give. Post only what you are comfortable with other people viewing and knowing about you. Irresponsible tweets, posts or Instagrams could potentially ruin a reputation and future endeavors. We encourage the current Miss Czech-Slovak Iowa to follow these rules at all events she attends, even after attaining the age of a legal adult. 10. Contestant must be personally present at all four judged categories of the competition and the crowning as scheduled per pageant program. This is critical to prepare contestants for the national pageant; therefore failure to complete any category will result in disqualification from the pageant. The four categories are: Private interview Talent presentation Costume (kroj) modeling Oratory (interview) by the Master of Ceremonies 2/5/2018 Rev.16 Page 1 of 11

Private Interview Rules 1. Contestant must be interviewed in the same kroj she presents during kroj modeling category. 2. Contestant will receive a seven-minute interview panel style with the judges. 3. All contestants will receive the same first four questions. After these questions, judges may ask questions or questions approved by the pageant committee. 4. Judges cannot ask questions about personal political affiliation, sexual topics, or personal religious affiliation or beliefs. 5. The pageant timer will announce when 30 seconds are left, and the contestant should answer the final question or finish the current question. Talent Rules 1. Talent act is limited to no more than four minutes, and must be a live presentation. Talent begins with a formal introduction and concludes with work, note, or motion. Introduction can include: what talent they will be performing, why they chose their talent, and how it relates to the candidate. The introduction is part of the four-minute time limit. 2. Talent can be singing, dancing, playing a musical instrument, dramatic reading, art display, dress designing, poetry, drawings, gymnastics, or a verbal oration on a subject or topic. 3. Pre-recorded, and pre-created props will not be considered/judged in overall performance. 4. An on-stage accompanist is allowed but no other partners can perform with contestant. 5. Contestants must describe their talent in detail on the talent form included with the entry form. The Miss Czech-Slovak Iowa pageant committee reserves the right to refuse an inappropriate talent. 6. Contestants are responsible for all props for their talent. Pageant may provide a microphone, piano, and speaker system. The contestant must provide any other props. AV technology presentations are not recommended; they are not guaranteed to be seen by the judges and audience at the Iowa or national pageants. 7. We encourage contestants to perform their talent in Czech or Slovak language or works by Czech or Slovak composers. However, performing a Czech or Slovak talent is not mandatory. 8. There will be an official talent timer located next to the judges table. The timer will hold up cards at minute intervals for the contestant s information. At four minutes the timer will hold up a STOP card. If the stop card is held up the contestant will be deducted 5 points from her overall talent score. 9. Contestants will be allowed to restart their entire presentation due to technical and/or mechanical difficulties, or in the event of an act of God. 2/5/2018 Rev.16 Page 2 of 11

Kroj Modeling Rules 1. Contestant must appear in authentic or Americanized Czech/Slovak costume. It may be of her local creation from either America or the Czech/Slovak Republic, purchased as a wholly assembled importation, or borrowed. Kroje that are family heirlooms are acceptable. 2. A brief description of your costume must be sent in with the entry form. This will be read aloud as you model your costume on stage during the costume competition. Mention if it is hand constructed, made by you, if any part or whole of the costume is from your ancestors, or if any of the material comes from the Czech/Slovak Republic. If any part of the costume has meaning of Czech, Moravian, Selesian, or Slovak culture or ancestry, make this part of your description. Limit description to no more than 300 words in length. 3. Descriptions must be typed with contestant s name in page header. 4. At the national level there will be two categories of kroj description: Americanized and authentic. Americanized costumes represent Czech, Moravian, Silesian or Slovak ancestry with American or modern accents. Authentic kroje are traditional costumes that are from the native country, or are very similar representatives of the original. Oratory (Interview) Rules 1. Master of Ceremonies will ask a personal question based on the interesting topics/facts about yourself section of the entry form you submitted. 2. Contestant will draw two formal questions. One question will be an impromptu kroj question. The next two questions will be on a subject selected by the pageant committee. You will be sent the topics and subjects via email prior to the pageant. 3. Contestants cannot read questions prior to handing them to the Master of Ceremonies. 4. There is no time limit to this category. However, answers should be concise and relevant to the question. 2/5/2018 Rev.16 Page 3 of 11

Duties and Responsibilities of Miss Czech-Slovak Iowa 1. While attending the Miss Czech-Slovak USA pageant in Wilber, Nebraska you must abide by all of the rules at the National level and represent the Czech Heritage Foundation in Iowa. 2. You must attend all functions where the Czech Heritage Foundation requests your presence. To earn the $1000 cash award, a minimum of 12 events must be attended, including one out of state pageant. Exceptions can be made with valid conflicts. It is understood that the queen may reside or be enrolled in a college in a different part of Iowa or in a different state. These are examples of functions attendance is not limited to only these examples! Attend St. Joseph s Day Dance (March - required) Attend Houby Days (May required) Attend Czech School or their Final Program and provide a brief description of yourself and your duties. (June/July - optional) Represent Czech Heritage Foundation at Nationals in Wilber, Nebraska upon completion of your reign (August - required) Participate in Cultural Diversity Days (October in Iowa City optional, if held) Participate in Svaty Mikulas activities (December - required) Present your talent at the annual Czech Heritage Foundation Meeting (January optional) Attend parades and promotions in the Cedar Rapids area and surrounding communities (on-going depends on event) Represent Czech Heritage Foundation by attending some ethnic events in Iowa and surrounding states. Ensure that you have time to speak or perform your talent for their organization. The pageant committee will help you to find and organize events, but you may also take the initiative yourself. (2 events are required, others are optional) Participate in Czech Village / NCSML events (optional) If residing in a Czech community outside the Cedar Rapids area, other activities are possibilities Assist the pageant program in recruiting future contestants. 3. Queen must appear in an authentic or Americanized Czech/Slovak costume called a kroj, sash, and tiara at all functions she attends. She cannot wear her sash and tiara with street clothes. 4. The state queen is not allowed to enter any other pageants until she fulfills her reign as Miss Czech-Slovak Iowa. 5. After the reign of a state queen is completed, she is allowed to attend events, wear her kroj, state sash and state tiara. As a past state queen, she is not to wear her state tiara and sash in street clothes. 2/5/2018 Rev.16 Page 4 of 11

Duties and Responsibilities of Miss Czech-Slovak Iowa 1 st Runner Up 1. You must attend all functions where the Czech Heritage Foundation requests your presence. To earn the $500 cash award, a minimum of 8 events must be attended. Exceptions can be made with valid conflicts. It is understood that the queen may reside or be enrolled in a college in a different part of Iowa or in a different state. These are examples of functions attendance is not limited to only these examples! Attend St. Joseph s Day Dance (March - required) Attend Houby Days (May required) Attend Czech School or their Final Program and provide a brief description of yourself and your duties. (June/July - optional) Participate in Cultural Diversity Days (October in Iowa City optional, if held) Participate in Svaty Mikulas activities (December - required) Present your talent at the annual Czech Heritage Foundation Meeting (January optional) Attend parades and promotions in the Cedar Rapids area and surrounding communities (on-going depends on event) Represent Czech Heritage Foundation by attending some ethnic events in Iowa and surrounding states. Ensure that you have time to speak or perform your talent for their organization. The pageant committee will help you to find and organize events, but you may also take the initiative yourself. Participate in Czech Village / NCSML events (optional) If residing in a Czech community outside the Cedar Rapids area, other activities are possibilities 2. The 1 st Runner Up must appear in an authentic or Americanized Czech/Slovak costume called a kroj, sash, and tiara at all functions she attends. She cannot wear her sash and tiara with street clothes. 3. The 1st Runner Up is not allowed to enter any other pageants until she fulfills her reign as Miss Czech-Slovak Iowa 1st Runner Up. 2/5/2018 Rev.16 Page 5 of 11

Directions Official Pageant Entry Miss Czech-Slovak Iowa Pageant Completed forms must be word processed because photocopies are distributed to each judge. If you would like this entry form e-mailed to you so that you can type directly into the form, please request one from missczechslovakiowa@gmail.com. Please remember the completed entry form must be sent by postal mail. Be sure to enclose the following items in your entry mailing. You may check them off to be sure that your pageant entry is complete. 1. Official Pageant Entry must remain a two page entry. You may adjust the space to allow more/or less answering in each category. 2. Entry fee of $25.00. Check made out to Czech Heritage Foundation. 3. Printed photograph (any size). 4. Kroj description separate page(s) written in the third person. Write your description to flow as if you are modeling the kroj. 5. Talent form 6. Liability Waiver and Agreement 7. If you or your guardian(s) are not current Czech Heritage Foundation members, please attach the CHF membership application from the website and the membership fee. One membership is required. 8. If you or your guardian(s) are current Czech Heritage Foundation members, please indicate the member s name: Entries must be postmarked no later than March 1. Mail to: Miss Czech-Slovak Iowa Pageant c/o Holly Robe, Pageant Director 6816 Kelburn Lane NE Cedar Rapids, IA 52402 I hereby declare that I have read the Rules and Procedures and my application and information submitted is true and complete, and furthermore, I agree to the official rules and procedures of the Miss Czech-Slovak Iowa pageant. Signature Date 2/5/2018 Rev.16 Page 6 of 11

Miss Czech-Slovak Iowa Pageant Application Process and Procedures 1. A photo (any size) must accompany the entry form. It must be clear and easy to reproduce. The photo can be black and white or in color. The picture may be used in media pertaining to the Miss Czech-Slovak Iowa pageant or the Czech Heritage Foundation. 2. The contestant is responsible for travel expenses to and from the pageant. Lodgings or early arrival will be the responsibility of the contestant. If hotel accommodations are needed, a list of hotels may be sent by request only. The pageant committee will attempt to find Friday & Saturday night lodging for contestants. The contestants are tentatively needed from 9:00am - 9:00pm on the pageant date. 3. The crowned Miss Czech-Slovak Iowa will receive: Jeweled Crown Sash Flowers $1,000 award, subject to meeting event criteria Sponsorship to the Miss Czech-Slovak US pageant in Wilber, Nebraska Numerous appearances, publicity, and various gifts She will serve as a representative for Czechs and Slovaks from the State of Iowa 4. All contestants will receive flowers and a gift. 5. Contestants will be required to be available upon conclusion of the pageant for additional pictures, interviews, or personal visits with various individuals of the Czech Heritage Foundation. 6. In the event that the crowned queen chooses not to fulfill her obligations, including but not limited to, participating in the Miss Czech-Slovak US pageant, she forfeits her title, tiara, and sash. The second highest scorer from the pageant then assumes the Miss Czech-Slovak Iowa title and responsibilities from that time until a new queen is crowned, or the Miss Czech-Slovak US pageant is completed. 7. Contestants and/or guardians must become members of the Czech Heritage Foundation. Membership forms may be downloaded from the Czech Heritage Foundation s website at: http:///wp-content/uploads/membership.pdf 8. The entry fee for contestants is $25 payable to the Czech Heritage Foundation 9. Entries must be postmarked on or before March 1. Send entry forms to: Miss Czech-Slovak Iowa Pageant c/o Holly Robe Pageant Director 6816 Kelburn Lane NE Cedar Rapids, IA 52402 10. Once the entry forms are received by the pageant committee, there will be an orientation meeting scheduled to meet the contestant(s) and to discuss the Miss Czech-Slovak Iowa pageant rules and expectations. 2/5/2018 Rev.16 Page 7 of 11

Official Pageant Entry Miss Czech-Slovak Iowa Pageant Completed forms must be word processed because photocopies are distributed to each judge. If you would like this entry form e-mailed to you so that you can type directly into the form, please request one from missczechslovakiowa@gmail.com. Please remember the completed entry form must be sent by postal mail. Please remember the completed entry form must be sent by postal mail along with your $25 entry fee, photo, and kroj description. Full Name Date of Birth Address City, State, & Zip Code E-Mail Address Phone ( ) Guardian Name(s) Education: High School Graduation College Graduation Describe your future ambitions. List two (2) interesting topics/facts about yourself, including hobbies, extracurricular activities, honors, special training, etc. that the Master of Ceremonies might ask you about on stage during the oratory competition. 2/5/2018 Rev.16 Page 8 of 11

Briefly describe your Czech/Slovak family heritage. Why is your Czech/Slovak heritage important to you? Describe your involvement in the preservation of your family s heritage. Why do you want to be Miss Czech-Slovak Iowa? I hereby declare that I have read the Rules and Procedures and my application and information submitted is true and complete, and furthermore, I agree to the official rules and procedures of the Miss Czech-Slovak Iowa pageant. Signature Date 2/5/2018 Rev.16 Page 9 of 11

Miss Czech-Slovak Iowa Pageant Talent Form Your name: Select the main focus of your talent presentation, to be listed in the pageant program: Vocal solo, a cappella or with music? Dance routine, style of dance: Instrument solo, name of instrument: Gymnastics: Art display, type of art: Oral presentation, topic: Please describe your talent in detail. The Miss Czech-Slovak Iowa Queen Pageant Committee reserves the right to refuse an inappropriate talent. Will you be accompanied on stage while performing your talent? Yes No If yes, how will you be accompanied? Will you be bringing music on a CD or tape? Yes No If yes, be sure the only music on your CD or tape is what you need for the pageant. Will you be using props during your talent? Yes No If yes, please describe your props, such as a music stand, an easel, a chair, etc., and how they will be used. 2/5/2018 Rev.16 Page 10 of 11

Miss Czech-Slovak Iowa Pageant Queen/Runner Up Liability Waiver & Agreement This agreement is a valid and binding contract between the Miss Czech-Slovak Iowa Pageant and the Queen/Runner Up of the Miss Czech-Slovak Iowa Pageant regarding the Rules & Regulations and Duties & Responsibilities as well as conditions of award(s) disbursement. This contact must be signed and witnessed before taking effect. As Miss Czech-Slovak Iowa Queen/Runner Up, I agree: A. I have read & agree to the RULES & REGULATIONS and DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES of the Miss Czech-Slovak Iowa Pageant. B. To, in good faith, attend any and all appearances required by and for the Miss Czech- Slovak Iowa pageant organization and the sponsoring organization Czech Heritage Foundation. To accept the responsibility of making arrangements to attend events and arranging travel to events. C. I have filled out my own application form and hereby swear that the statements made on this application form are true. D. By participating in the Miss Czech-Slovak Iowa Pageant, I (and, if you are a minor, your parents or legal guardians) understand and assume all risks of injury which may occur while competing in the above named pageant, and all of its activities, organized by the Czech Heritage Foundation and the Miss Czech-Slovak Iowa Pageant Committee. E. To grant full permission to use my name, picture, or likeness on any media (including the Miss Czech-Slovak Iowa Pageant website), form, brochure, and other record of participation in above named pageant for any publicity and/or promotional purpose(s) without obligation to you. F. Full receipt of cash prizes is contingent upon my assuming the Duties & Responsibilities of Czech-Slovak Iowa Queen/Runner Up. That all prizes will be revoked if fulfillment of my obligations to the Miss Czech-Slovak Iowa Pageant is not completed. This also includes repayment of any previous prize(s) if deemed appropriate. G. To maintain a log of the events and activities I attend as Miss Czech-Slovak Iowa Queen/Runner Up. I hereby certify that I have read this document; and I understand its content. Contestant Name (Printed) Contestant Signature Date Signed I (we) hereby certify that I (we) have read this document, understand its content and are the contestant's legal parent(s) or guardian(s) Contestant Parent(s)/Guardian(s) Date Signed 2/5/2018 Rev.16 Page 11 of 11