MISS CUMBERLAND FALLS/MISS SOUTHEAST KENTUCKY’S OUTSTANDING TEEN CONTESTANT INFORMATION

The Miss America’s Outstanding Teen, Inc. (MAOT) has been organized to encourage positive achievement by helping to nurture and build the scholastic achievement, healthy living, creative accomplishment, and community involvement of our nation’s youth. The Miss America’s Outstanding Teen Pageant is intended to encourage and reward the talent, communication skills, community service and academic achievement of girls between 13 and 17 years of age. Since its inception in 2005 MAOT has made available over $2 million in scholarships. The MAOT program is a sister program to the Miss America Scholarship Program.

The Miss Kentucky’s Outstanding Teen Organization is comprised of a remarkable community of dedicated volunteers. Each year, hundreds of volunteers organize the local and state preliminary competitions, which promote community involvement throughout the state. Volunteers from the smallest towns to the largest cities, mobilize their resources every year on our behalf because they truly believe in the benefits afforded young women through this program. The organization is committed to helping young women achieve excellence while providing positive growth opportunities.

Potential contestants should…

♦ Be at least 13 years old by June 1st and not older than 18 years old before July 31st and not a high school graduate unless you are age 16 and graduated early. 17 year-old high school seniors (and older) would be eligible to compete in the Miss America system.

♦ Be a citizen of the United States and either reside in or attend an accredited public or private school in Kentucky.

♦ Meet character criteria set forth by the Miss America’s Outstanding Teen Organization.

♦ Be able to meet the time commitment and job requirements as set forth by the local program in which you compete

♦ Adopt a Community Service Platform

♦ Be prepared to make a positive impact in the lives of people across the state of Kentucky

Community Service

In 1990, the Miss America Organization instituted the personal platform as part of the competition, with each local and state title holder choosing an issue of importance to her and society. Miss America’s Outstanding Teen has also adopted personal platforms as part of the competition. Miss Kentucky’s Outstanding Teen contestants have concentrated on significant issues facing America today including: strengthening families, homelessness, AIDS awareness and prevention, the effect of domestic violence on society, and ways to motivate children. Contestants are encouraged to choose an issue they are passionate about and one that they can get involved with in their community or their school. A contestant should also strive to become knowledgeable about her chosen issue and able to serve as a spokesperson for that cause.

The young lady who is selected Miss Kentucky’s Outstanding Teen spends much of her spare time during her year of service making personal appearances. Miss Kentucky’s Outstanding Teen may be asked to speak about her personal platform and other topics related to teenagers in schools, civic organizations or church groups.

The Miss Kentucky’s Outstanding Teen system is comprised of numerous local scholarship pageants that provide contestants with the opportunity to advance to the state pageant. At-Large entries are also accepted. At the local, state and national level a panel of qualified judges will evaluate contestants on five areas of competition:

Private Interview (35% of total score)

The judges’ panel first will meet each contestant for an 8 minute private interview designed to gain insight into a contestant’s opinions, aspirations and personality. The basic tool for conducting this interview is a resume of her personal credits and a platform essay highlighting the contestant’s community service.

Questions are directed to determine the contestant’s ability to fulfill the job of Miss Local/State OT as described by the current title holder, the Judge’s Chairman and/or the Executive Director.

No questions are prohibited; however judges are asked not to become too personal and stay within the bounds of good taste. Answers should be kept short enough so several questions can be asked. Contestants may have the option of using the last 30 seconds in their interview to make a closing statement on a topic of their choosing.

Judges evaluate the contestant on how well she has stated her opinion; it is inconsequential whether her opinion aligns with their own.

Contestants are encouraged to wear professional yet age appropriate attire for the interview such as a dress or pants outfit. The contestants typically stand behind a lectern during the interview with the judging panel seated at a table.

Criteria for Scoring Interview

  • Overall “First Impression”
  • “Naturalness” and relevance that would be of interest to her peers and to the Miss America constituents and markets
  • Validated aspirations, opinions and responses
  • Personality & personal appearance
  • Leadership and sense of accomplishment
  • Knowledge of and commitment to a community service advocacy issue
  • Qualities, abilities and sincere desire to be Miss America’s Outstanding Teen

The on-stage competition is comprised of four phases. Typically contestants participate in an opening dance and/or modeling routine and introduce themselves to the audience at the beginning of the pageant prior to competing in the additional phases. The on-stage phases of competition can occur in any order chosen by the pageant director.

Lifestyle & Fitness in Sportswear

(10% of total score)

Criteria for Scoring Sportswear

  • Physical Fitness
  • Beauty and attractiveness
  • Sense of confidence and presence
  • Drive, energy, charisma and composure

Attire will be shorts, tennis shoes and a top of the contestant’s choice or some type of active wear. The sportswear should also be in good taste and the contestants will briefly model their sportswear on-stage combined with doing 5 jumping jacks and 2 push-ups showcasing their commitment to physical fitness and a healthy lifestyle.

Talent (35% of total score)

Talent is a vehicle used to discern and measure a contestant’s commitment and discipline to her stage performance. Talent selections should be no more than 2 minutes in length.

Criteria for Scoring Talent

  • True talent and entertainment abilities
  • Interpretive ability
  • Technical skill level (execution, technique, synchronization, control)
  • Stage presence and on-stage personality
  • Totality of all elements (including costume, props, voice, use of body, choreography)

A variety of talents have appeared on the MAOT stage – vocal in every medium, dance in all forms, gymnastics, instrumentals and drama. Judges keep in mind that contestants are not usually professionals. They are showing an aspect of their character and values as much as their performing arts aptitude.

Evening Wear & Onstage Question (20% of total score)

Criteria for Scoring Evening Wear

  • Beauty & Poise
  • Sense of confidence and stage presence
  • Walk, posture, carriage and grace
  • Style and personality

Contestants are encouraged to select appropriate, contemporary evening wear that reflects their personal style and taste. Contestants will model their choice of evening wear in order to display their poise, elegance, style and personality. Typically, evening gowns are worn but cocktail dresses and pants outfits are also acceptable attire.

Criteria for Scoring On-Stage Question

  • Ability to articulate her opinions in front of a large audience
  • Display both a sincere and engaging personality
  • Confidence and stage presence
  • Ability to answer question in the time allotted and in context
  • Ability to act as a potential spokesperson for the Miss America’s Outstanding Teen Organization