Cape Coral Coconut Festival Queen s Scholarship Program Application Coconut Festival November 6 th 9 th, 2013 www.cocofest.com (239)573-3123
2014-2015 Cape Coral Coconut Festival Queen Application (Please print entire application.) Personal Information Full name: Age (as of 11/01/2014): Address: Phone: Cell: Email: Emergency Contact: Relation: Phone: Email: Parent s Name: Educational Information High School: Year Graduated: City of school: State: College: Expected Graduation Date: _ City of school: State: Major / Minor: Current GPA: Please attach a brief biography detailing information you would like considered by the judges and used for publicity purposes that is 100 words or less. This is a requirement of the application process. (This will be used if you are selected as a Top 5 Queen Elect for the social media scoring section) I,, hereby confirm that the above information is my own and true and that proof thereof can be produced upon request. As a candidate of the Cape Coral Coconut Festival Queen title, I have met all of the requirements stated in the official Coconut Queen Candidate contract, and will abide by the rules and regulations set forth by the Cape Coral Coconut Festival and Coconut Queen s Committee. Candidate Signature: _ Date: Cape Coral Coconut Queen s Application Page 2
Application Requirements You are required to provide two short essays: one should address any information or accomplishments you would like considered by the judges and the second essay should be a short biography describing yourself as an individual. Each essay may be written as either an outline or as a resume. Both are required documents and we request you maintain a one page limit (one side only). Be sure to include your name on the top of each sheet. Essay One: Please submit a one (1) page resume detailing accomplishments or information you would like to share with the judges. Appropriate information includes items such as awards, hobbies, GPA, community service activities, organizational memberships and similar information. Essay Two: Please submit a one (1) page essay or outline describing you as an individual. Appropriate information would include items such as educational aspirations and personal goals. Supplemental Information / Questions Why do you want to be the Coconut Festival Queen? (Please continue on a separate page if needed) How did you hear about this program? Do you have any needs that require special attention (such as food allergies) that we should be made aware of? Yes or No If yes, please provide details. Do you have transportation to all Coconut Festival Queen Events: Yes or No Are there any date limitations during the Queen Elect Weeks, the Coconut Festival week or the reigning year as Coconut Queen? Yes or No If yes, please list below: Initial the following items when completed: Coconut Queen Application signed and enclosed Requirements: Two essays/resumes/outlines and sheet with supplemental questions answered Official Rules and Regulations: read, signed, and dated Sponsorship Letter completed Sponsorship fee of $50 with application by October 1 st deadline Copy of Valid ID Please do not send your application without the above list of items enclosed. If you have any questions please feel free to contact Elyzabeth Crouthamel via telephone at (239) 573-3123 or via email at ecroutha@capecoral.net. Cape Coral Coconut Queen s Application Page 3
Sponsoring Organization - Information and Authorization Thank you for sponsoring a young lady for the City of Cape Coral Coconut Festival Queen s Scholarship program. Young ladies from all over Florida will compete for the chance to earn a college scholarship and for the opportunity to be a national spokesperson for the City of Cape Coral Coconut Festival. This year, we proudly will be awarding $3,500 in scholarships. Our queen scholarship program takes place in two phases: Queen Elect Selection Week in October and Queen Elects during the Coconut Festival week. Queen Elect Selection Week begins on October 16 and ends October 23, 2014. All initial candidates participate in a series of interviews and present a speech advising of their community involvement, educational and professional background, and personal values. A panel of judges will review and assess each candidate during this phase. The five candidates with the highest points at the end of the interview process and online voting will receive a $200 scholarship awarded to the school of her choice, a festival wardrobe and advance to the final round of the scholarship competition during the Coconut Festival week which is November 3 to 11, 2014. It is our goal to create a memorable and rewarding experience by incorporating educational and motivational seminars throughout the Queen s Elect Selection week. The candidates will also enjoy the amenities of our Coconut Festival. Queen Elects Week begins October 23 and ends October 30, 2014. A new panel of secret judges will assess the qualities of each of the five queen finalist as they serve as court members to the current queen at various events. On Thursday of the festival each queen elect finalist will be speaking before the Coconut Idol competition as well as assisting with the program. On Friday of festival week, each queen elect finalist will have an interview with 3 separate judges. The New Coconut Festival Queen will be announced on Saturday night of Coconut Festival. The new queen will receive a total of $2,500 scholarship which consists of $200 for being a queen elect and $2,300 for being crowned Coconut Festival Queen. Your sponsorship will provide a young lady with a fantastic experience and potential scholarship. As a sponsor, your name will appear in all media announcing the Coconut Festival Queen as well as festival marketing. The City of Cape Coral websites for Coconut Festival, Facebook, and for Citywide Special Events will have candidate information posted. Along with each candidate, your business name, logo, and contact information including hyperlink will be provided to the public announcing your sponsorship for the aspiring queen. Although becoming the Coconut Festival Queen is ultimately the goal, it is our sincere hope that each participant will experience significant personal growth, create wonderful memories and experience, and formulate life-long friendships. Thank you for being a part of it. Sponsor s Name: Amount: Address: _ Phone Number: Email: Website address: Authorized Sponsor Representative: (print please): Authorized Representative Signature: Date: Cape Coral Coconut Queen s Application Page 4
Coconut Festival Queen Scholarship Program Official Rules and Regulations 1) All candidates must be present during Queen Elects Selection week. During this week, judges will interview applicants and narrow down the selection to five finalists for the position. The Queen Elects Selection week will be held October 16-23, 2014. The five finalists will then be required to return for a final competition week October 23-30, 2014 during the week of the Coconut Festival. The crowning will take place on 10/30/2014. 2) Contestant agrees to abide by all rules established by the City of Cape Coral and the Coconut Festival and must provide completed application to be eligible to participate in the program. 3) Contestant must be between the ages of 17-24 or a graduating senior from high school. If not currently attending school, each contestant must be a high school or other GED graduate with scholarship standing needs and can produce a diploma and documentation as proof (acceptance letter for graduating seniors). 4) Contestant must be a Florida resident that resides in Southwest Florida. Must be a US Citizen. (Contestant must be able to show proof) 5) Contestant must be of good character and conduct. The Coconut Festival Queen s committee and the City of Cape Coral may refuse entry to any applicant felt to be lacking in good character or displaying poor conduct. 6) Contestant is not under contract to any person, firm, organization or corporation, nor have any other legal obligations that would prevent participation in the Coconut Festival Queen Selection process. 7) Contestant acknowledges that if chosen as the Coconut Festival Queen or as one of the finalists, she is not eligible to compete for this position again for a two year period even if all other eligibility requirements are met. 8) Contestant will cooperate with the Program Director as to the format of the Program. Contestant agrees to time, manner and method of judging, which shall be solely within the discretion of the Coconut Festival Queen s Committee and the City of Cape Coral; further, the decision of the judges and governing body will be final. 9) Contestants are not permitted to smoke or drink at ANY TIME during the competition. Contestants are expected to conduct themselves in such a manner so as not to bring discredit to herself, the program, or the City of Cape Coral Coconut Festival. 10) Contestant must never have been convicted of a crime, is not or ever been a willing party to any wrong doing, corruption, or financial impropriety. 11) Contestant authorizes the use of contestants name and likened for publication as the Coconut Festival deems appropriate. This authorization shall include the use of all photographs, recording, video or audio tapes made during the pageant itself or during a title holders reign. Cape Coral Coconut Queen s Application Page 5
Official Rules and Regulations Continued Page 2 Cape Coral Coconut Queen s Application Page 6 12) It shall be understood that any violation of the contestant contract, which includes the above rules and regulations, may cause automatic elimination from further judging, even during the competition itself, without advance notice. 13) Contestant understands that a $200 educational scholarship will be awarded to her if selected as one of the final five Queen Elects and said scholarship is paid directly to the school of her choice. In the event that the entrant fails to abide by the rules and regulations governing this contest, she will immediately forfeit the aforementioned scholarship, and also forfeit the position of Queen Elect if deemed necessary by the Coconut Festival. In the event that she does not wish to avail herself of the educational advantages of this scholarship, then she shall forfeit this scholarship. If, after accepting the scholarship, she desires to discontinue her education she shall forfeit any unused portion of this scholarship. In the event that she has not started to use the scholarship fund within one year of the contest, she shall forfeit the entire scholarship fund. The scholarship is non-transferable. All unused scholarship funds revert into the Coconut Festival Queen Scholarship fund. 14) If chosen as the Coconut Festival Queen, contestant will agree to a one (1) year commitment with the Coconut Festival, sign the official Queen Contract and agree to relinquish any other title presently held. If selected as Coconut Festival Queen, the contestant must agree to the following: 15) If during the reign of the Coconut Festival Queen she no longer meets the requirements of eligibility in the opinion of the Committee, she will forfeit her crown and all awards presented to her. 16) Throughout the year the Coconut Festival Queen will be required to attend and participate in numerous events. All appearances are scheduled, arranged and supervised by the queen s committee or designated agent so as to reflect the values and high standards of the program and to enhance its visibility within our community, state and sometimes nationally. The first runner up will have no continuing obligations except in the event that the Queen is unable to finish her reign, she will she be called upon to assume the queen s role. 17) The Coconut Festival Queen shall NOT appear in the public as the Coconut Festival Queen without prior approval of the director or a designed agent. She will make public appearances only in the presence of a chaperone officially appointed for her by the Director. Furthermore, she will not bring guests along with her while making appearances; this includes family members, friends and boyfriends/girlfriends. 18) Continued failure to attend scheduled functions, violations of her contract, or public conduct which the Queen s committee deems to be a discredit to the queen or the Coconut Festival, may result in termination of title. 19) The Coconut Festival Queen shall follow all wardrobe guidelines throughout her reign during appearances. In addition, there shall be no major alterations in physical appearances without approval by the queens committee. This would include piercing (other than ears), tattoos, dramatic changes in hair color or style, or other alterations that could be considered offensive.
Official Rules and Regulations Continued Page 3 20) The Queen will receive a $2,500 scholarship paid directly to the school of her choice. In the event that the queen fails to abide by the rules and regulations governing this scholarship program, she will immediately forfeit the aforementioned scholarship, and also forfeit the title of the Coconut Festival Queen if deemed necessary by the Coconut Festival or City of Cape Coral. In the event that she does not wish to avail herself of the educational advantages of this scholarship, then she shall forfeit this scholarship. If after accepting the scholarship, she desires to discontinue her education, she shall forfeit any unused portion of this forfeit the entire scholarship fund. The scholarship is non-transferable. All unused scholarship funds shall revert into the Coconut Festival Queens Scholarship fund. Furthermore, it shall be understood that the scholarship will be made into two equal payments over the course of the queen s reign. 21) In the event that the best interests of a contestant are threatened by enforcing any of the rules or regulations, the rule may be waived by a majority of the Queen s Committee, upon written request to the committee. I hereby accept the terms, rules and regulations stated in this contract. Printed Candidate Name Candidate s Signature Date Official Use Only Date application received: Signature of Committee Member: Applicant Eligible? YES or NO; If no, why: Selected for Top 15? YES or NO; If no, why:_ Comments: Cape Coral Coconut Queen s Application Page 7
Coconut Festival Queens Scholarship Program Dates (Dates are subject to change at a time) APRIL Monday, April 7 th, 2014 Queen s Application LIVE OCTOBER Wednesday, Queens Application is CLOSED Friday, October 3 rd, 2014 Queen Elect candidates will be contacted Saturday, October 11 th, 2014 Announce Top Queen Elects at Bike Night Thursday, October 16 th, 2014 6:00-8:00pm Queens Committee Meeting with queen elects @ City Hall Sunday, October 12 th, 2014 10:00-2:00pm Headshots/ Interview @ Yacht Club Park Thursday, October 16, 2014 Facebook Photo voting is LIVE @ 12:00pm Thursday, October 23 rd, 2014 Top 5 Queen Elects announced via Facebook Monday, October 27 th, 2014 6:00-8:00pm Queens Committee Meeting with Top 5 @ City Hall Thursday, October 30 th, 2014 5:00-9:00pm Royal Crowning Night @ Yacht Club Park NOVEMBER Thursday, November 6 th, 2014 5:00pm Coconut Festival Thursday Opening Night Friday, November 7 th, 2014 5:00pm 10:00pm Coconut Festival Country Night Saturday, November 8 th, 2014 12:00pm-12:00am Coconut Festival Rock Night Sunday, November 9 th, 2014 12:00pm-10:00pm Coconut Festival Family Day Tuesday, November 11 th, 2014 11:00am Veterans Day Parade **All dates for queens activities before, during and after will be posted in October on the Coconut Festival website.** Cape Coral Coconut Queen s Application Page 8
Frequently Asked Questions and Answers 1. Do I need to be an enrolled student in a college, university or secondary school to be eligible for the Coconut Festival Queen title? No, you do not need to be enrolled in a college, university or secondary school to be eligible for the Coconut Festival Queen title. You will however not be able to collect the winnings, but if approved by the committee the queen could default to an approved non-profit or foundation. 2. Is it mandatory to attend the scheduled orientation day? No, the scheduled orientation days are to help out with any questions. It is recommended if you are unsure. 3. Can the local business sponsor be a single company, a family member or multiple sponsors? Yes, the $300 local sponsorship can consist of any combination of the above, but must equal $300 exactly. 4. Do I need to attend the Queen Elect s headshot or can I just turn in my own? You must attend the Queen Elect s headshot and will be unable to submit your own personal headshot. 5. Will my GPA affect the overall school or selection process? No, it is only a small element in the selection process. 6. If my application is postmarked by October 1 st will I still be eligible? Yes, it must be postmarked or dropped off to City hall by October first. 7. What are the business hours for City Hall Parks and Recreation? City Hall is open Monday Friday 8:00am-4:30pm 8. If selected Queen what will happen if I am unable to fulfill my duties? Should you be unable to fulfill your duties, and the Queen s Committee find it appropriate, you will be removed and the 1 st runner up shall assume your responsibilities. If you have a question that is not on this list or want further clarification, please contact the Queen s Committee at 239-573-3123 or ecroutha@capecoral.net at any time. Cape Coral Coconut Queen s Application Page 9