Resource Manual for

2013 MAOTeen National Pageant

2013 MAOTeen State Pageants

2013 MAOTeen Local Pageants

2013 Princess Camp TM

Publication Date:

September 30, 2012

Prepared by

Miss America’s Outstanding Teen, Inc.

13851 West Hillsborough Avenue, Suite 168 ¨ Tampa, FL 33635

www.maoteen.org


Table of Contents

I. Purpose of This Resource Manual 1

II. Who and What is the Miss America’s Outstanding Teen Organization (MAOTeen)? 2

Background 2

Miss America’s Outstanding Teen National Winners in Review 3

Miss America’s Outstanding Teen 2013 - Rachel Wyatt 3

Miss America’s Outstanding Teen 2012 - Elizabeth Fechtel 4

Miss America’s Outstanding Teen 2011 - Lacey Russ 4

Miss America’s Outstanding Teen 2010 - Jeanette Morelan 5

Miss America’s Outstanding Teen 2009 - Taylor Fitch 5

Miss America’s Outstanding Teen 2008 - Caitlin Brunell 5

Miss America’s Outstanding Teen 2007 - Maria DeSantis 6

Miss America’s Outstanding Teen 2006 - Meghan Miller 6

MAOTeen Board of Directors 7

MAOTeen National Staff 7

MAOTeen State Web Addresses 8

III. Miss America’s Outstanding Teen National Platform 8

Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals 8

CMNH on the National Level 8

CMNH at the State Level 9

CMNH at the Local Level 9

IV. MAOTeen National Pageant 10

Miss America’s Outstanding Teen Application and Contract for Participation in the National Finals of the MAOTeen Competition 10

MAOTeen National Minimum Required Contract Attachments 10

National Scholarships 11

Attachment B - National Contract, Scholarship Rules and Regulations 12

Scholastic Achievement Application Form Submittal at the National Level 14

Teens in Action Award 14

Contestant Eligibility - 2013 MAOTeen National Pageant 15

Age/Education Eligibility Rules to Compete in a 2013 MAOTeen Pageant 15

Age/Education Eligibility Chart to Compete in a 2013 MAOTeen Pageant 16

Residency Rules to Compete in a MAOTeen Pageant 17

Homeschooled Students 17

Citizenship Requirements to Compete in a MAOTeen Pageant 18

Language Requirements to Compete in a MAOTeen Pageant 18

Personal Characteristics to Compete in a MAOTeen Pageant 19

Contractual and Other Obligations 19

Minimum Required Documents to Compete at the National MAOTeen Pageant (For the State Director and Contestant) 21

Competition Categories - MAOTeen National Pageant 23

MAOTeen National Finals Judging Categories and Percentages Leading up to the Crowning of Miss America’s Outstanding Teen 23

The Role of Miss America’s Outstanding Teen: 23

General: Miss America’s Outstanding Teen Must Be: 24

Private Interview - MAOTeen National Competition 24

Lifestyle and Fitness - MAOTeen National Competition 25

Talent - MAOTeen National Competition 26

Evening Wear/On-Stage Question 27

Scholastic Achievement - MAOTeen National Competition 28

MAOTeen National Pageant - Mechanics of Composite Scoring/ Top-15/Top-10/Structured Discussion/Top-5 Final Ballot 33

MAOTeen National Pageant - Top-15 Composite Score Highlights 33

MAOTeen National Pageant - Top-15 Composite Scoring Process 33

MAOTeen National Pageant - Top-15 Quarter-Finalists/Top-10 Semi-Finalists Structured Discussion Overview and Mechanics 36

MAOTeen National Pageant - Top-15/Top-10 Discussion Rules 37

MAOTeen National Pageant - Top-5 Final Ballot 38

MAOTeen National Pageant - General Production Guidelines 39

Talent Competition - Guidelines and Requirements 39

Talent Competition - Accompanying Oneself with Pre-recorded Music and Vocals 39

Talent Competition - Pre-recorded Music Enhancements 40

Talent Competition - Double Talents 40

Talent Competition - Talents Involving Original Work or Material 40

Talent Competition - Duplication of Talents 40

Talent Competition - Vocal Medley Duplication of Talents 41

Talent Competition - Props 41

Optional Homecoming Celebration for Miss America’s Outstanding Teen 42

What Is a Homecoming Celebration? 42

V. MAOTeen State Pageants 43

MAOTeen State Pageant Forms 43

Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals Participation at the State Level 44

How is the State 30% Portion Calculated? 46

CMNH Funds Frequently Asked Questions 46

MAOTeen Application and Contract for Participation in the State/Local Competitions of the MAOTeen Program 48

MAOTeen State/Local Minimum Required Contract Attachments 49

MAOTeen State Pageant Scholarships 50

Highlights of the Application for Disbursement of MAOTeen Scholarship Funds Document 51

Review Attachment B of the National Contestant Application and Contract for Complete National Scholarship Rules and Regulations 52

Scholastic Achievement Application Form Submittal at the National Level 52

Minimum Number of Contestants 52

Contestant Eligibility - MAOTeen State Pageants 53

Age/Education Eligibility Rules to Compete in a 2013 MAOTeen Pageant 53

Age/Education Eligibility Chart to Compete in a 2013 MAOTeen Pageant 54

Residency Rules to Compete in a MAOTeen Pageant 55

Homeschooled Students 55

Citizenship Requirements to Compete in a MAOTeen Pageant 56

Language Requirements to Compete in a MAOTeen Pageant 56

Personal Characteristics to Compete in a MAOTeen Pageant 57

Contractual and Other Obligations 57

Minimum Required Documents - MAOTeen State Pageants 59

Competition Categories - MAOTeen Single-Night/Preliminary Nights State Pageants 61

MAOTeen State Judging Categories and Percentages 61

The Role of Miss State’s Outstanding Teen 62

General: Miss State’s Outstanding Teen Must Be: 63

Private Interview - MAOTeen State Single-Night & Preliminary Nights of Multi-Night/Multi-Day Competitions 64

Lifestyle and Fitness - MAOTeen State Single-Night & Preliminary Nights of Multi-Night/Multi-Day Competitions 65

Talent - MAOTeen State Single-Night & Preliminary Nights of Multi-Night/Multi-Day Competitions 66

Evening Wear/On-Stage Question - MAOTeen State Single-Night & Preliminary Nights of Multi-Night/Multi-Day Competitions 67

Scholastic Achievement - MAOTeen State Pageants 68

Competition Categories - MAOTeen Final Night of Multi-Night/Multi-Day State Pageants 73

Top-15/Top-10 Composite Score - MAOTeen State Final Night of Multi-Night/Multi-Day Competitions 73

Lifestyle and Fitness - MAOTeen State Final Night of Multi-Night/Multi-Day Competitions 73

Talent - MAOTeen State Final Night of Multi-Night/Multi-Day Competitions 74

Evening Wear - MAOTeen State Final Night of Multi-Night/Multi-Day Competitions 75

MAOTeen State Pageants - Mechanics of Composite Scoring/ Top-15/Top-10/Structured Discussion/Top-5 Final Ballot 76

MAOTeen State Pageants - Top-15/Top-10 Composite Score Highlights 77

MAOTeen State Pageants - Eligibility for Announcing Top-15/Top-10 On-Stage 77

MAOTeen State Pageants - Composite Scoring/Top-15/Top-10 Eligibility Matrix 78

MAOTeen State Pageants - Top-15 Composite Score Highlights 78

MAOTeen State Pageants - Top-15 Composite Scoring Process 78

MAOTeen State Pageants - Top-10 Composite Scoring Process 81

MAOTeen State Pageants - Top-15 Quarter-Finalists/Top-10 Semi-Finalists Structured Discussion Overview and Mechanics - For Multi-Night/Multi-Day Competitions 83

MAOTeen State Pageants - Top-15/Top-10 Discussion Rules 84

MAOTeen State Pageants - Top-5 Final Ballot 85

MAOTeen State Pageants - Announcing Preliminary Competition Winners 86

MAOTeen State Pageants - Announcing the Final Results (Winner and Runners-up) 87

MAOTeen State Pageant Judging 88

Composition of a MAOTeen State Pageant Judges Panel 88

Expectations of a MAOTeen State Pageant Judge 89

MAOTeen State Pageant Judging Eligibility - Who May Not Judge a MAOTeen State Pageant: 90

MAOTeen State Pageant Judges Orientation Suggestions 91

MAOTeen State Pageant Auditors Instructions 91

MAOTeen State Pageant Director’s Minimum Responsibilities 91

Other Important State Pageant Information 92

Correct Usage of MAOTeen State Titles 92

MAOTeen State Pageant Disposition of Score Sheets and Tally Sheets 93

MAOTeen State Pageant Competition Date Requirements 93

MAOTeen Official State Pageant Crown Requirements 93

MAOTeen Official State Pageant Sash Requirements 94

MAOTeen Logos and Branding 94

MAOTeen Official State Pageant Trophies and Awards Vendor 95

At-Large Contestants 95

Fair and Festival Titleholders 96

State Visits by MAOTeen Board Members and Members of the National Staff 96

Permission to Televise Your State Pageant 97

Social Media (MySpace, Facebook, and Twitter) 97

State Pageant Princess Camp/Princess Program 98

State Pageant Princess Program Sash and Crown Recommendations 99

VI. MAOTeen Local Pageants Leading to MAOTeen State Pageants 100

MAOTeen Local Pageant Forms Availability 100

Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals Participation at the Local Level 101

How is the Local 20% Portion Calculated? 102

CMNH Funds Frequently Asked Questions 103

MAOTeen Application and Contract for Participation in the State/Local Competitions of the MAOTeen Program 104

MAOTeen State/Local Minimum Required Contract Attachments 105

MAOTeen Local Pageant Scholarships 106

Minimum Number of Contestants 107

Single Pageants 107

Double or Dual Pageants 107

Triple Crown Pageants 108

Contestant Eligibility - MAOTeen Local Pageants 109

Age/Education Eligibility Rules to Compete in a 2013 MAOTeen Pageant 110

Age/Education Eligibility Chart to Compete in a 2013 MAOTeen Pageant 111

Residency Rules to Compete in a MAOTeen Pageant 112

Homeschooled Students 112

Citizenship Requirements to Compete in a MAOTeen Pageant 113

Language Requirements to Compete in a MAOTeen Pageant 113

Personal Characteristics to Compete in a MAOTeen Pageant 114

Contractual and Other Obligations 114

Minimum Required Documents - MAOTeen Local Pageants 116

Competition Categories - MAOTeen Local Pageants 117

MAOTeen Local Judging Categories and Percentages 118

The Role of Miss Local’s Outstanding Teen 119

General: Miss Local’s Outstanding Teen Must Be: 120

Private Interview - MAOTeen Local Pageants 121

Lifestyle and Fitness - MAOTeen Local Pageants 122

Talent - MAOTeen Local Pageants 122

Evening Wear/On-Stage Question - MAOTeen Local Pageants 123

Top-5 Final Ballot - MAOTeen Local Pageants 124

MAOTeen Local Pageants - Announcing Preliminary Competition Winners 125

MAOTeen Local Pageants - Announcing the Final Results (Winner and Runners-up) 125

MAOTeen Local Pageant Judging 126

Composition of a MAOTeen Local Pageant Judges Panel 127

Expectations of a MAOTeen Local Pageant Judge 127

MAOTeen Local Pageant Judging Eligibility - Who May Not Judge a MAOTeen Local Pageant: 128

MAOTeen Local Pageant Judges Orientation Suggestions 129

MAOTeen Local Pageant Auditors Instructions 130

MAOTeen Local Pageant Director’s Minimum Responsibilities 130

Other Important Local Pageant Information 130

Correct Usage of MAOTeen Local Titles 130

MAOTeen Local Pageant Disposition of Score Sheets and Tally Sheets 131

MAOTeen Official Local Pageant Crown Requirements 131

MAOTeen Official Local Pageant Sash Requirements 132

MAOTeen Official Local Pageant Trophies and Awards Vendor 132

Local Visits by MAOTeen Board Members and Members of the National Staff 133

Permission to Televise Your Local Pageant 134

Social Media (MySpace, Facebook, and Twitter) 134

Local Pageant Princess Camp/Princess Program 134

Local Pageant Princess Program Sash and Crown Recommendations 136

VII. MAOTeen Princess Camp TM Program 137

Princess Camp TM Background 137

Princess Camp TM Testimonials 137

VIII. MAOTeen Teens in Training Camp TM Program 139

Teens in Training Camp TM Background 139

IX. MAOTeen Resources 141

Contact Names For Additional Information 141

X. Document Version History 142

Document Revisions and Summary of Updates 142

Resource Manual for 2013 MAOTeen National, State, and Local Pageants

Version: 3.0 Version Date: September 30, 2012 Page i


I. Purpose of This Resource Manual

This Miss America’s Outstanding Teen Resource Manual is a document that contains as much information as possible relating to the rules, requirements, and guidelines for MAOTeen State/Local Pageants and the National Pageant. We want to thank everyone whose knowledge and expertise continues to contribute to this manual.

Our attempt is to provide a document that applies consistency throughout our Local and State Pageants and serves as a primary resource for information. Throughout this document, references to “state” include all 50 states in the United States of America, the District of Columbia, or a U.S. territory.

Please ensure that you communicate to your Local organizations that this document is available for their use as well.

In many cases, states have the option of making some rules more restrictive, but in no case may the states make the rules less restrictive.

Our hope is to provide an annual update to this document that will be made available on the maoteen.org portal.

And as a volunteer, your commitment plays a major role in the success of these young women.

Let us all continue to help make dreams come true for our youth.

Kristin Black, Kim Parrish

Director of Operations President

MAOTeen, Inc. MAOTeen, Inc.

Donna Bozarth Alyson Michaels-Sulpizio

Chairman of the Board National Judges’ Consultant

MAOTeen, Inc. Board of Directors

MAOTeen, Inc.

Jessica Schueler Michael Hannah

Director of Communications Treasurer, Board of Directors

MAOTeen, Inc. MAOTeen, Inc.


II. Who and What is the Miss America’s Outstanding Teen Organization (MAOTeen)?

Background

Miss America’s Outstanding Teen, Inc. was organized to encourage positive achievement by helping to nurture and build the scholastic achievement, creative accomplishment, healthy living, and community involvement of our nation’s youth.

Among its initiatives, the Miss America’s Outstanding Teen Organization hosts a national competition intended to encourage and reward the talent, communication skills, community service, and academic achievement of girls between 13 and 17 years of age.

The Miss America’s Outstanding Teen Organization has also established community-based initiatives and mentoring programs aimed at helping our nation’s youth build character and gain the skills necessary for success in the real world. In partnership with committed adult volunteers, community and business leaders, as well as participants from the national competition, the Organization has been implementing programs aimed at helping young people develop strong values, leadership skills, social conscience, self-worth and conviction about their own potential.

The Organization’s mentoring and community-based initiatives are available to all young people (male and female) between the ages of 13 and 17.

Funds raised by the Organization are being used to fund scholarships for deserving young women according to guidelines established by the Organization’s Board of Directors in accordance with Internal Revenue Service rules and regulations. Funds are also being used to establish and develop the Organization’s mentoring program and community-based initiatives.

The Miss America’s Outstanding Teen Organization awards scholarships to individuals on the basis of academic merit and civic and social achievement. Scholarships are awarded without condition or obligation to provide future services.

Miss America’s Outstanding Teen National Winners in Review

Miss America’s Outstanding Teen 2013 - Rachel Wyatt

September 2012 Update: On August 18, 2012, Miss South Carolina’s Outstanding Teen 2012, Rachel Wyatt, became the eighth Miss America’s Outstanding Teen. Beginning as Miss South Carolina’s Outstanding Teen in summer of 2012, Wyatt won more than $30,000 in college scholarships and the title of Miss America’s Outstanding Teen 2013.

During the national competition, Rachel won the hearts of the audience and judges when she performed a lyrical dance to “The Climb”. This historic crowning moment marked her first steps on a journey that continues to take her across the country promoting scholastic achievement, creative accomplishment, community involvement and healthy living for our nation's youth.

Rachel is in her senior year at Wren High School and serves as the President of her class, yearbook editor and member of the National Honor Society. In addition, she will continue traveling the country speaking to audiences about her platform “Dance Therapy - Miracles through Movement” and acting as the teen ambassador for Children's Miracle Network Hospitals. Children's Miracle Network Hospitals, a non-profit organization dedicated to saving and improving the lives of children by raising funds for children's hospitals, is the national platform of the Miss America's Outstanding Teen Organization.

Rachel is one quarter Japanese and comes from a diverse family background. She enjoys sewing and fashion design. She has trained under famous dance choreographers such as Mandy Moore, Mia Michaels and Sonya Tayeh. Rachel assists in teaching a special needs dance class and has danced as part of a Bible teaching ministry at a maximum security women's prison.

She hopes to obtain a Bachelor's degree in English and pursue a career in speech therapy. Rachel would also like to continue dancing in local theater productions and be a dance instructor.