Miss Wayne County FAQ
How old do I have to be to compete in the Miss Wayne County Pageant?
Contestants in the Miss America system are between the ages of 17 and 24. For more information on becoming a contestant in the Miss Wayne County Pageant click here.
What is the deadline to apply for Miss Wayne County?
The application deadline varies each year. Please click here for the most up-to-date information.
How much time will my participation in the pageant require?
There are four days of rehearsals, a Princess Program event, and the actual pageant day. A detailed schedule will be provided at orientation. You may also click here to view all the important dates and times.
How many contestants are in the pageant?
The number of contestants will change daily as contestants apply and withdraw from the pageant. We do not know how many contestants will be in the pageant until after the registration deadlline and orientation. A contestant number will not be quoted at any time before orientation.
If I win, will it interfere with my education?
No. The Miss America Organization is a scholarship program; we always make school a number one priority!
Is there an entry fee to compete in the Miss Wayne County Pageant?
No, there is not an entry fee to compete in the Miss America system, but there is a required minimum $100 donation to the Children Miracle Network Hospitals (CMNH). For more information about becoming a contestant click here.
Why do we have to make a CMNH donation?
Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals has been selected as the official national platform for the Miss America Organization. This partnership represents the first time in the 86-year history of the Miss America Organization that they have adopted such a program. Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals has had an 18-year history working with the Miss America Organization, with this newest initiative signifying a permanent and on-going relationship between the two.
The Miss America Organization and Children's Miracle Network Hospitals share a commitment to raise awareness and funds for CMNH across the country as well as the Miss America Scholarship Program. This partnership creates the following opportunities for contestants and Miss America titleholders:
To learn more about CMNH visit www.childrensmiraclenetwork.org.
The Miss America Organization and Children's Miracle Network Hospitals share a commitment to raise awareness and funds for CMNH across the country as well as the Miss America Scholarship Program. This partnership creates the following opportunities for contestants and Miss America titleholders:
- Miss America acts as a goodwill ambassador for Children's Miracle Network throughout her year of service.
- Miss America contestants at all levels raise money and awareness for Children's Miracle Network and the Miss America Scholarship Program.
- Children's Miracle Network is the national platform for the Miss America Organization.
- The tradition of the personal platform continues and contestants and titleholders can raise awareness for their chosen advocacy cause.
To learn more about CMNH visit www.childrensmiraclenetwork.org.
What is the Platform?
In 1989, the Miss America Organization founded the platform concept, which requires each contestant to choose an issue about which she cares deeply and that is of relevance to our country. Once chosen, Miss America and the state titleholders use their stature to address community service organizations, business and civic leaders, the media and others about their platform issues. Since 1989, Miss America titleholders have appeared at thousands of public speaking engagements and charitable events to generate awareness for a variety of causes, including homelessness, HIV/AIDS prevention, domestic violence, diabetes awareness, character education, literacy, etc.
What are the competition categories?
- Lifestyle and Fitness in Swimsuit - 15%
- Evening Wear - 25%
- Talent - 35%
- Private Interview - 25%
- On-Stage Question - 5%
- Final Ballot
Is the swimsuit competition really important?
Being healthy is a vital part of being a well-rounded individual. The swimsuit competition serves to reinforce how important it is to live a healthy lifestyle.
In 1996, the pageant held a phone-in poll during the first 90 minutes of the competition asking callers to vote on whether to keep the swimsuit competition. Eighty-seven percent voted to retain swimsuits.
In 1996, the pageant held a phone-in poll during the first 90 minutes of the competition asking callers to vote on whether to keep the swimsuit competition. Eighty-seven percent voted to retain swimsuits.
Are scholarships available for those who are not awarded a title?
Yes. There are all types of scholarships available at the local, state and national levels of competition. Even if you do not win a title you are still eligible for scholarship assistance. The Miss America Organization is the leading provider of scholarships for young women in the world. Each year, the organization makes available more than $40 million in cash and tuition scholarship assistance.
What are the prizes?
First and foremost, this is a scholarship program. We strive for each contestant to walk away from the Miss Wayne County Program with a scholarship to use toward her schooling. Please click here to view a list of the most recent scholarships and awards.
What are the judges looking for?
The judges are instructed to select a young woman who will represent the community as a public servant, an advocate for local issues, a friend to local businesses and a role model to youngsters. It is strongly communicated to each judge that they select the woman who best meets these criteria. While Miss Wayne County will compete at Miss Michigan and perhaps in the Miss America Pageant, these considerations are secondary. Most women will return to their communities after the state/national competition and must be of the character and mindset to serve that community.
Where do the judges come from? How do I know that they're qualified?
We are hard at work all year searching for outstanding individuals to serve on our judging panel. Our judges volunteer their services and are from various walks of life. We go to great lengths to ensure the fairness and objectivity of the judging panel. Judges are required to sign an affidavit verifying that his or her decisions will be made in a fair and impartial manner and that there are no "conflicts of interest" regarding any of the contestants. If a judge is found to be in violation of any portion of this affidavit, he or she will be prohibited from judging at any level of the Miss America Organization’s Competition System.
Click here to view our juding panel from the most recent Miss Wayne County pageant.
Click here to view our juding panel from the most recent Miss Wayne County pageant.
How do I know that the outcome of the pageant is not pre-determined?
The Miss America Organization operates under a strict set of rules. To ensure these rules are followed, a group of Field Directors have been appointed in each state and are each assigned a few local pageants to cover. These volunteers attend their local pageants to assist each pageant committee, making sure the MAO guidelines are correctly followed. It is the Field Director who gives final approval of the judging panel and auditors. Field Directors, along with each pageant's Judges Chairperson, also conduct the judges' orientation before the pageant, explaining in detail the Miss America judging system. Our program prides itself on a fair and unbiased outcome.
Can I see the judges scores after the pageant is done? Can I contact the judges? Why not?
No, the judges scores cannot be viewed. At the conclusion of the pageant, the auditors place all score sheets and the tally sheet(s) in a sealed, dated, and identified envelope for safekeeping at a predetermined location established by the Miss Michigan Board for a minimum of one year. Auditors and/or pageant officials may not disclose to anyone any actual scores, whether total or individual scores, unless such time arises in which the outcome of the pageant is in dispute and an independent auditor has to review the results.
How much are tickets? Can I purchase them before the day of the pageant?
Tickets are $15 each and will be available at the door. We do not offer pre-sale tickets. MAO local titleholders will be admitted free of charge.
Will the Miss Wayne County Pageant be televised?
No, the Miss Wayne County Pageant is not televised. It will be videotaped and available to purchase on DVD.
Is the state pageant televised?
No, the Miss Michigan Pageant is not televised. It will be videotaped and available to purchase on DVD.
I have not been competing since I was a child, do I have a chance of becoming Miss Wayne County, Miss Michigan, or Miss America?
Yes. Most titleholders have not competed in pageant systems long before being awarded a local title and scholarship money. In her first year of competition, Miss America 2008 Kirsten Haglund won her first local title, was selected as Miss Michigan, and went on to become Miss America 2008 with no prior competition experience. Kirsten entered the Miss America system for the scholarship money and in one year earned more than $60,000 in scholarships to assist in furthering her education.
Should I use a pageant coach to help my daughter prepare?
Even though some contestants seek the advice of a coach, we do not see their success reflected in the overall outcome of the pageant each year. While some contestants feel more prepared when they work with an experienced person who can give them tips on competition, many young women have won titles without any outside training. Remember that it's often helpful to look to the advice of people who are already in your life. Parents or other family members can quiz you on current events. Your piano or vocal coach can help prepare you for the talent portion of competition. Even your English professor can help proofread your paperwork.
Do I have to spend a lot of money for wardrobe? Don't most winners have really expensive gowns?
No, It is not necessary to spend a fortune on an interview outfit, swimsuit, and evening gown. It is more important to select outfits that make you feel confident and best suit your body type and personality. Many former Miss Wayne Counties have been expert borrowers! It is most important that the garment fits you well. One of the most consistent mistakes made is the length of your gown. A floor length gown should just touch the floor in front of your big toe. Please click here for more information on wardrobe selection for the Miss Wayne County pagent.
Can I have a personal hair stylist or make-up artist backstage?
No, contestants are not permitted to provide hair stylists or make-up artists backstage. They must style their own hair and apply their own make-up.
What if I have a tattoo or body piercing?
Women are not prohibited from competing with tattoos or body piercings. We do suggest that tattoos be covered with make-up and body piercings, other than ear piercings, removed for the competition.
Does it matter if I sell ads for the program book or not?
No. While ads in the program book can help a contestant feel supported, it is not required. Judges are not instructed to look in the program to see who has sold the most ads or consider that as a factor in selecting the next Miss Wayne County.
What if I have a question not answered in this section?
You may contact the Executive Director Sheila Sigro with any other questions not covered here.
