Submissions / Paperwork

Your paperwork MUST ​be submitted in a timely manner.  Please refer to the below information for the deadlines for your contract, fact sheet and CSI essay, talent music, headshot, and optional awards.  If you have any questions or concerns, don't hesitate to contact us.
  • Registration & Cycle Fee
  • Go Red for Women Fundraiser
  • Contract
  • Fact Sheet & Service Initiative
  • Talent Music
  • Headshot
  • Optional Awards
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MAO Contestant Registration & Cycle Fee


Each local contestant is required to pay a one-time registration fee of $39.99 for the 2026 competition cycle which includes Miss Wayne County 2024.  This fee is good for any Miss America local or state pageants she competes in during the 2026 competition cycle. This payment is non-refundable.

Please read the following scenarios below and select accordingly so you are not charged the $39.99 twice. If you have any questions, reach out to us at [email protected].

REGISTRATION MUST​ BE COMPLETED NO LATER THAN FRIDAY, AUGUST 2.
 

Scenario #1: New Registrant

You have not registered for the 2026 Miss America competition cycle

 
​Use this link if you have not already registered for the 2026 competition cycle.
​You will need to select Miss Wayne County as your local and will be prompted to pay the $39.99 registration fee.
**Remember to register for the 2026 CYCLE**

Scenario #2: Existing Registrant

You have already registered for the 2026 Miss America competition cycle

 
​Use this link if you have already registered for the 2026 competition cycle.
​You will need to add Miss Wayne County as your next local and will​ ​not be prompted to pay the $39.99 registration fee.

Miss America 2026 Go Red for Women Fundraiser

Each local contestant is required to raise a minimum donation of $30 for the American Heart Association for each local pageant in which she competes for the 2026 competition cycle. This donation is non-refundable and must be completed to compete in the local competition.​  
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The deadline to donate is Friday, August 2, 2024
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For the Campaign Page Title, ​please use the format NAME2026MI (ex. Jane Doe 2026 MI)
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**Remember to register for the 2026 CYCLE**

Contestant Contract


​Please make sure the candidate contract is completely filled out and signed.  You should attach any supplemental information applicable for you (e.g. birth certificate, proof of residency, proof of employment, proof of student enrollment) to the contract.

​If you have any questions on how to fill out the contract, please ask! ​

You will need to turn a hard copy at rehearsal on Sunday, August 4, 2024.
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Fact Sheet & Service Initiative Essay


​​Your Fact Sheet and Service Initiative essay are the first impression you will give the judges. Please proofread them carefully and include anything about yourself that may spark their interest. 
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Upload your Fact Sheet and Service Initiative essay
NO LATER than Sunday, August 4, 2024.
Eight (8) hard copies will be turned in at rehearsal on Sunday, August 4, 2024.

    Max file size: 20MB
    Max file size: 20MB

Talent Music


Please note that talent song selections are registered on a first come, first served basis, so it's important to register your music as soon as possible.  Two candidates cannot perform to the same song even if they are performing different talents.

You are responsible for making the desired cuts to your music.  The time limit for the talent competition is 90 seconds.  The version you turn is must be of competition quality.  Talent songs may not be enhanced.  For example:  Background vocals cannot sing the same words at the same time as the performer. 

​If you find that you are having problems, please contact us.

Upload your talent music NO LATER than Sunday, August 4, 2024.

CD copies (optional) may be turned in at rehearsal on Sunday, August 4, 2024.
    Max file size: 20MB

Headshot


A group photo will be included in our program book, but we will post individual headshots provided by each contestant on our website and social media.
  

Upload your headshot NO LATER than Sunday, August 4, 2024.

Photos will be used on our website and social media only.
    Max file size: 20MB

Optional Awards

Ashlee Baracy Community Service Award - Due August 4, 2024

Ashlee Baracy Community Service Award

 
​The Ashlee Baracy Community Service Award is an optional scholarship opportunity which seeks to encourage and reward the Miss Wayne County contestants who donate their time and talent to worthwhile community projects.  This competition is judged by a separate judge and does not have any effect on the final outcome of the competition.  

To enter this optional competition, please submit the following in the form below by Sunday, August 4, 2024:
  1. A one-page essay about your community service work.
  2. One reference letter from a non-relative who is in a position to evaluate your community service work.
    ​ 

Upload your community service entry NO LATER than Sunday, August 4, 2024.

A paper copy of your entry may be turned in at the rehearsal on Sunday, August 4 if you prefer.
    Max file size: 20MB
    Max file size: 20MB
Legacy Award - Due August 4, 2024

Legacy Award


​The Legacy Award is an optional scholarship opportunity designed to commemorate our Miss Wayne County legacy, encourage leadership within our "sisterhood," as well as improve scholarship opportunities for the young women of Wayne County.  Contestants interested in applying for this award will be required to submit an essay which will be judged by a separate panel of judges and does not have any effect on the final outcome of the competition.

The scholarship is provided by our former titleholders, and we accept donations up until the day of the program.  Therefore, the scholarship amount will not be given until the winner is announced on-stage during the awards ceremony.
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To enter this optional competition, follow the instructions below and turn in your essay one of two ways:
  1. In an envelope with your name on it, but DO NOT write your name on the essay itself.  The essay competition will be judged blindly, so we do not want your name on the actual essay itself.
  2. Upload below.  Again, do not write your name on the actual essay itself.​​
We strongly encourage you to enter this optional competition.  The scholarship for this award varies each year, but it is usually a few hundred dollars.
​ 

Upload your community service entry NO LATER than Sunday, August 4, 2024.

A paper copy of your entry may be turned in at the rehearsal on Sunday, August 4 if you prefer.
**REMEMBER** DO NOT WRITE YOUR NAME ON YOUR ESSAY
    Max file size: 20MB
People's Choice Award - Due August 10, 2024

People's Choice Award


​The People’s Choice Award is awarded to the contestant who receives the most "votes" from the audience as the contestant they believe should win the competition.

People's Choice containers will be displayed on a table at the entrance to the competition and will be available for voting through the end of intermission.  Audience members will "vote" for their favorite contestant by inserting money into that contestant's container.  $1 = one vote.  The contestant with the most votes will win the People’s Choice Award.  The proceeds from the People’s Choice competition will ​go directly to the Miss Wayne County scholarship fund.

​You will need to decorate a container (think Pringles can, oatmeal container, etc.) with any type of decoration that fits your personality and should include your name, contestant number, and photo. 

​Containers are to be turned in AT DRESS REHEARSAL on Saturday, August 10, 2024.