I recently realized, although I have tons of links in the sidebar, it’s been awhile since I’ve explained the basics for new readers, so here goes…
How to compete in Miss Ohio (America):
* To get to Miss Ohio you must first win a local preliminary title.
* Select a local pageant; they are listed on the Miss Ohio or Miss Ohio News websites. Some are open to anyone, others are “closed” only to women in certain counties. “Closed” locals usually give more money and are often less competitive.
* Locals usually have 5 to 20 contestants; Ohio has 20 to 25 locals.
* Fill out rather involved paperwork and send it to the local director. (Most of the paperwork can be downloaded from the Miss Ohio website or the director will mail you hard copies once you contact them.) The paperwork includes a 16 page contract which must be noterized and a platform sheet and resume which the judges will see. Be aware of deadlines!
* Sign up for a Children’s Miracle Network donation webpage and raise a $100 “donation” for CMN for your first four locals. Once you win a local you must raise an additional $250 to compete at the state level.
* Phases of competition: Evening Gown, Swimsuit,Talent, single panel 10 minute Interview and Onstage Question.
* Community service “Platforms” are required; Miss America is nationally partnered with the Children’s Miracle Network.
* Talents presentations are a maximum of two minutes long; visit Musical Creations or Omega Sound for pre-edited pageant accompaniments.
* You may compete in as many locals as you are eligible for until you win.
* Most locals are one day. Miss Ohio is comprised of three nights of preliminary competition and a final night in which only the Top 10 compete.
* At Miss Ohio contestants stay in pairs at a host home and are shuttled around by a chaperone, who also helps them backstage.
* Contestants are in Mansfield for a total of nine days for rehearsals, events and competition.
* Brief eligibility description: must live, work and/or go to school in Ohio; have never been married or pregnant; have always been a woman; have “good morals;” be between 17 and 24 (I am unsure of age specifics in terms of dates).
* Miss Ohio goes on to compete at Miss America. Miss America does NOT go on to anything else.
* Miss America is considered the oldest pageant; it began in Atlantic City in 1921 and evolved into a scholarship program in 1944.
* Links: Miss Ohio website, Miss America website, Miss Ohio News, Miss Ohio message board, CMN/Miss America website
Basic Tips for Miss America System:
* Gowns should just brush the floor- it’s distracting if your shoes/feet show, and I scream “prom dress!”
* Overdoing the jewelry is distracting too. This is why most pageant women just wear big earrings. Rarely will you find a gown that needs a necklace and wearing multiple pieces would be disastrous!
* Quality talent accompaniment is so important- it’s not good enough to tape record someone playing the piano or dance to a track that obviously and abruptly cuts off.
* Don’t wear sandals in the interview room; I say peep-toes are okay, but some swear only pumps are allowed!
* Pick a platform you really believe in and already work with. On your paperwork and in your interview, don’t talk about what you’re going to do, talk about what you’ve done.
* Always speak from the heart; say what you believe and never merely what you think the judges want to hear (they can usually see through that).
* Always type the paperwork that the judges will see and have someone else proof read it for you.
* Make sure you actually look like your headshot.
How to compete in Miss Ohio’s Outstanding Teen:
* A few local Miss programs also hold Teen pageants, or you can apply as an at-large contestant directly to the state teen pageant.
* I am certain there is paperwork, but do not know how involved it is.
* Contestants must pay an entry fee of $435 to $510.
* Phases of competition: Evening Gown, Sportswear,Talent, single panel 10 minute Interview and Onstage Question.
* Talents presentations are a maximum of two minutes long; visit Musical Creations or Omega Sound for pre-edited pageant accompaniments.
* Brief eligibility description: must live in Ohio; have never been married or pregnant; have always been a woman; have “good morals;” be between 13 and 17 (but NOT a senior in high school.)
* Miss Ohio's Outstanding Teen goes on to compete at Miss America's Outstanding Teen, which does NOT go on to anything else.
* Teen programs were developed as fundraisers and to prepare girls to enter the Miss program. Some states have held them for years, but the first Miss America's Outstanding Teen was crowned in 2005.
* Links: Miss America's Outstanding Teen website and those above.
How to compete in Miss Ohio USA/ Ohio Teen USA:
*Download an application from Miss Ohio USA's website and submit it with a recent photo.
* If accepted (and it seems everyone is) you'll receive a confirmation letter with a bit more paperwork.
* Pay and entry fee of just under $1000 directly to the organization. (Arbitrary local titles are given.)
* Phases of competition: Evening Gown, Swimsuit, short split panel private Interview, Onstage Question for Top 5. (Swimsuits color is mandated.)
* Compete in one night of preliminary competition called a “presentation show;” then the Top 15 compete in the final night.
* Contestants stay in a designated hotel with a roommate; they are shuttled by bus with one chaperone per group of 15 contestants.
* Contestants are in Portsmouth for three days, including one day of rehearsal and a welcome dinner, then competition.
* Last year around 80 women competed at Miss Ohio USA.
* Community service is encouraged by not mandatory; the organization is nationally affiliated with the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation.
* Brief eligibility description: must live, work and/or go to school in Ohio; have never been married or pregnant; have always been a woman; Miss Ohio USA: must be at least 18 and under 27 years of age as of February 1, 2008. Miss Ohio Teen USA: must be at least 15 and under 19 years of age as of September 1, 2008.
* The winners go on to compete at Miss USA/Miss Teen USA. Miss USA then goes to Miss Universe to take on international competition!
* This organization is currently owned by Donald Trump; it was created by Catalina Swimwear in the 1952 after Miss America 1951 Yolande Betbeze refused to wear a swimsuit in public.
* Links: Miss Ohio USA website, Miss USA/Universe website, Miss Ohio USA message board, Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation
Basic Tips for the USA System:
Are you kidding? I’m still trying to figure it out! But here’s what I do know…
* Loosen up! Be more “modely” and less “pageanty.”
*It seems like anything goes in the interview room. Ironically, trendy outfits trump business suits!
* Go for a more natural, but glamorous look- no updos or clown make-up.
* Gowns should just brush the floor- feet/shoes are distracting.
* Overdoing the jewelry is distracting too. This is why most pageant women just wear big earrings. Rarely will you find a gown that needs a necklace and wearing multiple pieces would be disastrous!
* Always speak from the heart; say what you believe and never merely what you think the judges want to hear (they can usually see through that).
* Always type the paperwork that the judges will see and have someone else proof read it for you.
* Make sure you actually look like your headshot.
- Of course, there are many other pageants and pageant systems; the way to get started is almost always to check out the website, or contact the director for an entry application. Never let fear or insecurity hold you back, everyone has to start somewhere and you'll regret waiting!
How to compete in Miss Ohio (America):* To get to Miss Ohio you must first win a local preliminary title.
* Select a local pageant; they are listed on the Miss Ohio or Miss Ohio News websites. Some are open to anyone, others are “closed” only to women in certain counties. “Closed” locals usually give more money and are often less competitive.
* Locals usually have 5 to 20 contestants; Ohio has 20 to 25 locals.
* Fill out rather involved paperwork and send it to the local director. (Most of the paperwork can be downloaded from the Miss Ohio website or the director will mail you hard copies once you contact them.) The paperwork includes a 16 page contract which must be noterized and a platform sheet and resume which the judges will see. Be aware of deadlines!
* Sign up for a Children’s Miracle Network donation webpage and raise a $100 “donation” for CMN for your first four locals. Once you win a local you must raise an additional $250 to compete at the state level.
* Phases of competition: Evening Gown, Swimsuit,Talent, single panel 10 minute Interview and Onstage Question.
* Community service “Platforms” are required; Miss America is nationally partnered with the Children’s Miracle Network.
* Talents presentations are a maximum of two minutes long; visit Musical Creations or Omega Sound for pre-edited pageant accompaniments.
* You may compete in as many locals as you are eligible for until you win.
* Most locals are one day. Miss Ohio is comprised of three nights of preliminary competition and a final night in which only the Top 10 compete.
* At Miss Ohio contestants stay in pairs at a host home and are shuttled around by a chaperone, who also helps them backstage.
* Contestants are in Mansfield for a total of nine days for rehearsals, events and competition.
* Brief eligibility description: must live, work and/or go to school in Ohio; have never been married or pregnant; have always been a woman; have “good morals;” be between 17 and 24 (I am unsure of age specifics in terms of dates).
* Miss Ohio goes on to compete at Miss America. Miss America does NOT go on to anything else.
* Miss America is considered the oldest pageant; it began in Atlantic City in 1921 and evolved into a scholarship program in 1944.
* Links: Miss Ohio website, Miss America website, Miss Ohio News, Miss Ohio message board, CMN/Miss America website
Basic Tips for Miss America System:
* Gowns should just brush the floor- it’s distracting if your shoes/feet show, and I scream “prom dress!”
* Overdoing the jewelry is distracting too. This is why most pageant women just wear big earrings. Rarely will you find a gown that needs a necklace and wearing multiple pieces would be disastrous!
* Quality talent accompaniment is so important- it’s not good enough to tape record someone playing the piano or dance to a track that obviously and abruptly cuts off.
* Don’t wear sandals in the interview room; I say peep-toes are okay, but some swear only pumps are allowed!
* Pick a platform you really believe in and already work with. On your paperwork and in your interview, don’t talk about what you’re going to do, talk about what you’ve done.
* Always speak from the heart; say what you believe and never merely what you think the judges want to hear (they can usually see through that).
* Always type the paperwork that the judges will see and have someone else proof read it for you.
* Make sure you actually look like your headshot.
How to compete in Miss Ohio’s Outstanding Teen:* A few local Miss programs also hold Teen pageants, or you can apply as an at-large contestant directly to the state teen pageant.
* I am certain there is paperwork, but do not know how involved it is.
* Contestants must pay an entry fee of $435 to $510.
* Phases of competition: Evening Gown, Sportswear,Talent, single panel 10 minute Interview and Onstage Question.
* Talents presentations are a maximum of two minutes long; visit Musical Creations or Omega Sound for pre-edited pageant accompaniments.
* Brief eligibility description: must live in Ohio; have never been married or pregnant; have always been a woman; have “good morals;” be between 13 and 17 (but NOT a senior in high school.)
* Miss Ohio's Outstanding Teen goes on to compete at Miss America's Outstanding Teen, which does NOT go on to anything else.
* Teen programs were developed as fundraisers and to prepare girls to enter the Miss program. Some states have held them for years, but the first Miss America's Outstanding Teen was crowned in 2005.
* Links: Miss America's Outstanding Teen website and those above.
How to compete in Miss Ohio USA/ Ohio Teen USA:*Download an application from Miss Ohio USA's website and submit it with a recent photo.
* If accepted (and it seems everyone is) you'll receive a confirmation letter with a bit more paperwork.
* Pay and entry fee of just under $1000 directly to the organization. (Arbitrary local titles are given.)
* Phases of competition: Evening Gown, Swimsuit, short split panel private Interview, Onstage Question for Top 5. (Swimsuits color is mandated.)
* Compete in one night of preliminary competition called a “presentation show;” then the Top 15 compete in the final night.
* Contestants stay in a designated hotel with a roommate; they are shuttled by bus with one chaperone per group of 15 contestants.
* Contestants are in Portsmouth for three days, including one day of rehearsal and a welcome dinner, then competition.
* Last year around 80 women competed at Miss Ohio USA.
* Community service is encouraged by not mandatory; the organization is nationally affiliated with the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation.
* Brief eligibility description: must live, work and/or go to school in Ohio; have never been married or pregnant; have always been a woman; Miss Ohio USA: must be at least 18 and under 27 years of age as of February 1, 2008. Miss Ohio Teen USA: must be at least 15 and under 19 years of age as of September 1, 2008.
* The winners go on to compete at Miss USA/Miss Teen USA. Miss USA then goes to Miss Universe to take on international competition!
* This organization is currently owned by Donald Trump; it was created by Catalina Swimwear in the 1952 after Miss America 1951 Yolande Betbeze refused to wear a swimsuit in public.
* Links: Miss Ohio USA website, Miss USA/Universe website, Miss Ohio USA message board, Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation
Basic Tips for the USA System:
Are you kidding? I’m still trying to figure it out! But here’s what I do know…
* Loosen up! Be more “modely” and less “pageanty.”
*It seems like anything goes in the interview room. Ironically, trendy outfits trump business suits!
* Go for a more natural, but glamorous look- no updos or clown make-up.
* Gowns should just brush the floor- feet/shoes are distracting.
* Overdoing the jewelry is distracting too. This is why most pageant women just wear big earrings. Rarely will you find a gown that needs a necklace and wearing multiple pieces would be disastrous!
* Always speak from the heart; say what you believe and never merely what you think the judges want to hear (they can usually see through that).
* Always type the paperwork that the judges will see and have someone else proof read it for you.
* Make sure you actually look like your headshot.
- Of course, there are many other pageants and pageant systems; the way to get started is almost always to check out the website, or contact the director for an entry application. Never let fear or insecurity hold you back, everyone has to start somewhere and you'll regret waiting!
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