Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to our most often asked questions are here. If you still have additional questions, please contact us.
|
How old do I have to be to compete Miss Wayne County?
Candidates in the Miss America system are between the ages of 18 and 28. For more information on becoming a candidate in the Miss Wayne County Scholarship Competition click here. What is the deadline to apply for Miss Wayne County?
How much time will my participation in the competition require?
There are usually three days of rehearsals and the actual competition 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 competition?
The number of contestants will change daily as contestants apply and withdraw from the competition. We do not know how many contestants will be in the competition until after the registration deadline 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 Opportunity is a scholarship competition. We always make school a number one priority! Is there an entry fee to compete?
There is a one-time $39.99 Miss America registration fee per competition season. In addition, there is a $30 required donation for the American Heart Association for each local competition you compete in. What is the Miss America Foundation?
The Miss America Foundation (MAF) is a separate 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that serves as the scholarship arm that processes scholarships for recipients across the country. MAF proudly offers academic and community-based scholarships for undergraduate and graduate studies, as well as endowed scholarships for those young women attending medical school, working in special areas for military service awareness and in the performing arts. What is a Service Initiative?
In 1989, the Miss America Opportunity founded the platform concept, now called a Service Initiative. To create this initiative, each candidate must choose an issue 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 social impact 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?
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 Opportunity 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 competition. We strive for each candidate 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, 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. Who are the judges? 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 candidates. 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 judging panel from the most recent Miss Wayne County competition. How do I know that the outcome of the competition 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 my scores or contact the judges after competition? Why not?
No, the judges scores cannot be viewed. At the conclusion of the competition, 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 competition officials may not disclose to anyone any actual scores, whether total or individual scores, unless such time arises in which the outcome of the competition is in dispute and an independent auditor has to review the results. How much are tickets? Can I purchase them prior to competition?
Tickets are $20 each and will be available at the door. We do not offer pre-sale tickets. Current MAO local titleholders will be admitted free of charge. Will the Miss Wayne County be televised?
No, Miss Wayne County is not televised. It will be recorded and available for purchase on DVD. Will Miss Michigan be televised?
No, Miss Michigan is not televised. It will be recorded and available for 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 coach to help my daughter prepare?
Even though some candidates seek the advice of a coach, we do not see their success reflected in the overall outcome of the competition each year. While some candidates 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?
No, It is not necessary to spend a fortune on an interview outfit 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 competition. Can I have a personal hair stylist or make-up artist backstage?
No, candidates 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. Does it matter if I sell ads for the program book or not?
No. While ads in the program book can help a candidate 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 additional questions?
Contact the Executive Director Sheila Sigro with any other questions not covered here. When did the Miss America Competition begin?
It began in 1921, when east coast newspapers sent their city representatives to the Second Annual Fall Frolic as special guests. For more information, click here. What does Miss America do after she is selected?
Miss America is the most visible external facing representative of the mission of the Miss America Opportunity (“MAO”) program to the public. As a member of the MAO team, she is responsible for positively advancing the goals and objectives of MAO as well as her own Social Impact Initiative. Miss America is full-time, paid contractual employee of MAO. The job is an exciting, fun, challenging Year of Service that requires energy, positivity, professionalism and courtesy while engaging in extensive travel, often logging 20,000 miles a month and at times changing locations every 8-24 hours, throughout the United States and, at times, to other countries. Working with the MAO staff that schedules and provides logistical, support and guidance, she uses her term to promote and market the program to her peers and the next generation of young women. Is Miss America different than Miss USA?
Yes. In 1952, Catalina Swimsuits founded the Miss USA and Miss Universe pageants as product promotion tools. Developed by the Miss America Organization, the Miss America program exists to provide personal and professional opportunities for young women to promote their voices in culture, politics and the community. Almost all candidates have either received or are in the process of earning college or postgraduate degrees and utilize Miss America scholarship grants to further their educations. The Miss America Organization is the leading provider of scholarships for young women in the world. Although some young women compete in both Miss America and Miss USA, the two systems are completely separate. Can I compete at Miss America more than once?
To become Miss America, a contestant must first win a local competition and then compete to represent her state, a process requiring personal commitment, hard work and talent. A woman may compete at the state level more than once, but may only represent her state in the national Miss America competition one time. Does Miss Wayne County have an Teen pageant?
Miss America's Teen is a scholarship-based program offering accomplished teens the opportunity to be awarded funds for college. The program promotes scholastic achievement, creative accomplishment, healthy living and community involvement for girls between 13 and 17 years of age. For more information, please visit www.missamerica.org/teen. At this time, Miss Wayne County does not have a teen program, as it is not currently required for a Miss America local to have a companion teen program. We have a dedicated group of volunteers who work together to prepare Miss Wayne County for Miss Michigan and do not have teen committee to focus on a teen contestant. If you are interested in competing in a Miss America's Teen program, please click here for a list of local teen programs in Michigan. For the practice, should I enter my daughter in a "glitz" pageant, like those shown on Toddlers & Tiaras?
Competing in children's pageants, such as "glitz" pageants, is not a requirement for your daughter to be successful in the Miss America system one day. While you can enter you daughter in these types of competitions, the Miss Wayne County committee does not condone it. We promote a "be yourself" approach to competition. Rather than paying an exorbitant amount for entry fees and on wardrobe, we recommend focusing your finances toward your child's education and developing her performance arts talent which will be a necessary element to compete in the Miss America Opportunity. |
