MISS VIRGINIA PAGEANT, INCORPORATED

220 Bremble Dr., Moneta, VA 24121

January 21, 2014

TO ALL LOCAL DIRECTORS:

On our protected website for local directors, you will find the forms your titleholder will need to complete prior to workshop, April 12, 2014, and turn into your field director when you register. Please read everything carefully andgo over every form with your titleholder! In addition, there are forms for you to complete as well, to be turned in separately at Workshop. Please follow all instructions precisely as given – do NOT change the margins, font type or size to any of the forms. When you prepare your paperwork to turn in to your Field Director at Workshop, please have a completed copy of your Checklist, followed by EACH ITEM IN THE ORDER LISTED on the Checklist. Please turn in the items included in the ED folder SEPARATE from your contestant paperwork at Workshop. Give these to your Field Director as well at Workshop. Also, please make sure that ALL checks for ad payments for your contestant are included in your ED packet and not in the contestant’s packet, as they are so easy to get lost or separated.

EVERY CONTESTANT IS ASKED TO SUBMIT HER PAPERWORK USING THE FOLLOWING STANDARD FORMAT. Keep in mind that the paperwork will not be seen by anyone except the state pageant administrator after it is turned in at Workshop, and it will be separated into several small packages to be distributed to different committees. Please use an accordion folder with separate file sections that has a stretch band to hold it closed – do NOT use notebooks or large file boxes, please, as these are very bulky and hard to transport and store. Label each section of the folder in the order given on the checklist, and then insert the respective document(s)/items into the sections without sheet protectors, folders, or other “holders.” Please do NOT staple pages – use paper clips if needed. Label the outside of the folder with the contestant’s title and name, so that it is visible without having to open the folder.

PLATFORM & RESUME – Enclosed you will find platform and resumecriteriathat will be helpful to your contestant in developing her platform. Very specific guidelines and instructions are provided for formatting the platform issue essay and resume. These instructions must be followed exactly and completely.

TALENT CLEARANCE – We must be very particular about securing all of the necessary documentation for use of talent pieces. Please be sure you have appropriate coverage and documentation of the talent, as we are televised and it is required. Details are included with all of the state forms.

PHOTOS – ALL photos be submitted digitally on CD. See specifics given on the guidelines provided. SOME PRINTED PHOTOS ARE REQUIRED!!!! You also should submit to Toni a CD with head shots for your OT, PT, and Princess for the MISS program book – one CD with all of your young titleholders is fine. Please label all CDs and cases.

ELIGIBILITY – Remember eligibility requirements are very important. Make sure ALL items verifying eligibility are included. This is required by the Miss America Organization and there can be NO exceptions.

QUALITY OF LIFE AWARD – One-page essay (format provided) to be submitted along with the other paperwork at Workshop.

MISS AMERICA SCHOLARSHIPS - A list of Miss America scholarships available to women who have competed in the Miss America program on a local, state, or national level will be posted in the ED protected portal as soon as details are made available to us by MAO.

In addition to the contestant forms, there are forms that you will need to submit, which provide details we must have from each local for our annual state report to Miss America. It is CRITICAL that you complete these in full!!!

REMEMBER – all forms are due April 12that Workshop. Please submit program book ads at Workshop if at all possible, but final deadline for these is no later than April 18th. CONTESTANTS WILL BE ASSESSED A LATE FEE OF $10 PER DAY (EXCLUDING SUNDAYS) FOR ANY ITEMS THAT ARE SUBMITTED AFTER THE REQUIRED DEADLINE. Should you have any questions, please give us a call.

Just as a reminder, per the agreement that was made in our ED meeting at the 2010 pageant, ALL locals are expected to enter a Teen and Pre-Teen contestant, as well as a Princess, for the 2014 pageant.

On behalf of the Miss Virginia Board of Directors, thank you for all you do, and for your continued support of the Miss Virginia scholarship program. We look forward to seeing you and your contestants at the Workshop.

Sincerely,

Harlen Gudger, Executive Director

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