• Escorted Evening Wear "DO's"
• Escorted Evening Wear "DON'Ts"   
• Sample Inerview Questions

Escorted Evening Wear "DO's"  

1. Smile, Smile, Smile. Not just when you are out on the runway, but from the time you step on the stage through well past the time you step off the stage.

2. Be on time. It is very important to be on time to each and every event..

3. Practice a little before you get to the pageant. If you are prepared, then you can relax and enjoy your time on stage. You can practice this at home. Read your newsletters and attend all offered Pre-Pageant Workshops in your state. Listen, learn, and ask questions. Concentrate, SMILE, give eye contact to the judges and remember to stand in your "Model T"' (or "Pretty Feet" as the Princess & Sweethearts would say).

4. Select a type of turn that works for you. It does not matter to the judges if you do a circle turn or a pivot turn. GENERALLY speaking, the circle turn is easier and smoother for most Princess contestants to learn and use successfully. Most Pre-Teen, Jr. Teen & Teen contestants will do the Pivot turn so practice that at home. Make sure you can complete one full turn gracefully without looking down or at the ceiling.

5. The rule is for your Evening Gown or Party Dress to be the "Dress of your Choice" It may be long or short for Princess contestants but must be FLOOR LENGTH for all other age divisions. The most frequently asked question is, "Does it have to be WHITE?" The answer is NO. You may pick the color of your choice. Most Princesses will be in a floor length gown because this is a requirement if you win the state pageant for the national level of competition. This may avoid you having to purchase a second dress if you win.

6. Although your dress can be any color, it is best not to mix colors on the same dress. For example, contrasting colors of trim can make the dress look "busy". Prints do not work nearly as well as solids. Red or Blacks are not the best colors for our Pre-Teen, Sweetheart & Princess age divisions but that's not saying you can't win in one of these colors. White is probably the most familiar color for pageant dresses because it is readily available for purchase, is easy to match and it also conveys a bright, fresh, clean appearance. HOWEVER, these same qualities can be achieved in other colors-it just takes a little more work.

7. Hair should have a fresh, clean, healthy appearance. Generally it is best to pull the hair away from your face and forehead. Bows may be worn, but hats may NOT.

8. Princess, Sweetheart & Pre-Teen age groups: if the judges can see makeup on you then they will count points off. As a practical matter, the pageant could use a Q-tip or cotton ball to test everyone for make-up. But you know that if the judges see make-up your daughter wouldn't have a chance of winning.

9. Jr. Teens & Teens: wear make-up that is appropriate for your age. Make-up that is making an "adult" statement, or even the "grunge" look, is not appropriate for this pageant.

10. Walk "natural" and keep your hands relaxed by your side, barely touching your dress. Use a normal arm swing. As you leave the stage you may touch your dress so you can get down the stairs.

11. Make eye contact with the judges, but please don't stare them down by never taking your eyes off of them.

12. Please have good posture. It conveys that you are self-confident, healthy, and in control.

13. Wait patiently and confidently for your escort as you are out on the runway (after your turn). Do not be impatient or look back, even if he misses his cue. HIS mistake can not cause you to loose points, HOWEVER, YOUR REACTION to his mistake can. Just smile and wait for him, we will cue him and he will come to you.

14. Relax and have fun. You have nothing to loose and you will gain a lot more self confidence and satisfaction by having FUN.

Escorted Evening Wear "DON'Ts"  

1. Not smiling you are sure to loose points.

2. Dresses that are inappropriate for your age or have hoops, trains, gloves, hats or adult jewelry. Make sure you have an even hemline.

3. Do not wear heals in the Princess & Sweetheart Age divisions. Pre-Teens should keep to a low heal or something they can comfortably walk in. Be sure your shoes compliment your dress. Don't wear Black shoes with a White Dress.

4. Pre-Teens, Sweethearts & Princess contestants: NO MAKE-UP.

5. Don't walk too fast or too slow. Remember to be natural.

6. Never making eye contact with the judges and /or audience is really bad. Be sure to hold your head up and be confident.

7. Looking back or being impatient for your escort to get to you looks really bad on stage. Just keep smiling we will cue him for you.

8. Waving or blowing kisses on stage is a good way to loose points. You can do this during the Opening Production Numbers but never in an evening gown.

9. Never look at the floor or ceiling. You don't have to look at your feet to get them to move.

10. Holding on to your dress is good way to show the judges how nervous you are. NEVER HOLD YOUR DRESS. This is common for Princess contestants- Practice in your dress walking in a circle with out holding on to your dress.

11. While standing on stage Do Not Sway from side to side. Stand still in your "Model T" or "Pretty Feet".

12. NEVER, NEVER, NEVER CHEW GUM on stage or even in your interviews.

13. Do not wear Glitter in your hair or Body Glitter. We want to see you and your beautiful face. Not see a bunch of glitter on stage.

14. Wearing shoes that you are comfortable in and don't cause you to walk awkwardly.

15. Looking sad when another girl receives an award is one of the worst things you can do. Be happy for your friends and the special girl inside you will show the judges what a great sport you are and that you know you've done your best. Be proud of yourself at all times. I KNOW WE ARE.

Sample Interview Questions  

None of the questions will have a "RIGHT" or "WRONG" answer. We just want the contestant's personality to SHINE and see who she is on the Inside.

Princesses:

· What is your favorite color, TV show, book, etc.

· If you could have one wish, what would you wish for and why?

· What do you enjoy doing with you family?

· Do you have a pet? Tell me about it.

· Do you have any brothers or sisters?

Sweethearts & Pre-Teens:

· What is your favorite school subject?

· Who do you talk to when you have a problem?

· What one thing would you like to change about yourself, and why?

· What do you do for fun? What is the most fun thing that you and your family do together?

· Why do you want to be the queen for your state?

Jr. Teens & Teens:

· I see from your application that you have been involved with ___________, what do you like most about that activity?

· If you could have one wish, what would you wish for?

· If you could change one thing in the world, what would you change and why?

· If you could have 60 minutes on national TV what would you talk about and why?

· If you could meet the president and spend a day with Him what would you talk about?

· What song would best describe you and why?

· What is your favorite color? Using each letter of the color you named describe yourself.

For example:
PURPLE P: is for Personable, U: Unpredictable, R: Responsible, P: Peppy, L: Loving nature, E: Excited to be here....