Parent’s
Pageant Guide
March 1, 2015
Welcome to Columbus!
This guide was created to assist you in understanding what will take place during the time your daughter competes for the title of Miss Georgia. This will be a stressful time for her as well as her family. Any questions that you have should be directed to the pageant office. The phone number is (706) 322-2315. Your Franchise and Field Directors are also available for you to consult. Please feel free to contact the Miss Georgia Pageant office, your local franchise or field director at any time if you have any questions or concerns.
Thank you for allowing your daughter to compete in the Miss America Scholarship Program. The rewards of competition will be greater than you can possibly imagine. It really is an opportunity of a lifetime for young women in our state. Thank you for supporting the Miss America Program. We do hope that you will continue to support your daughter and encourage her to be the very best she can be throughout her participation and competition.
We wish all of the contestants the very best of luck!
Contestant Arrival
Miss Georgia contestants will check into the Hostess Headquarters between 9:00 am and 11:00 am on Saturday, June 13, 2015.
Miss Georgia’s Outstanding Teen contestants will check into the Hostess Headquarters between 9:00 am and 11:00 am on Saturday, June 13, 2015.
Miss Contestants will receive their room keys and a copy of the Miss Georgia Program book. Prior to checking into the headquarters, contestants should have already taken clothes to the theater, bought any needed food items, and run any errands needed. Once Miss Contestants have signed into the hostess headquarters they will not be allowed to leave the dorm area. At a specified time contestants will meet with hostesses to discuss activities for the week and receive information on t- shirts andclothing for the week.
Housing
Hostess Headquarters Location:Broadway Crossing Apartments Lobby
#25 West Tenth Street
Columbus, GA 31901
Hours Open:10:00AM—4:00PM (starting Tuesday, June 16)
Gift Delivery Schedule: Gifts must be delivered to the hostess headquarters before 4:00PM
Gift Delievery Address: Miss ___(Title)______
Name
#25 West Tenth Street
Columbus, Georgia 31901
Mailing Address: Miss ___(Title)______
Name
1004 Broadway
Columbus, Georgia 31901
Telephone Calls:
Contestants will be allowed to bring a cell phone with them pageant week. Cell phone use will only be allowed when the contestants are in their apartments. Contestants are required to leave their cell phones in the apartment at all times. If a contestant is caught outside the apartment with her cell phone, the cell phone will be confiscated and returned at the end of pageant week. If the contestant becomes ill or requires any needed items, the hostess will contact the parents or franchise.
Hostesses and Their Responsibilities to Contestants:
Each contestant will be assigned a hostess for Pageant Week. She will do everything possible to help you have a successful and pleasant week. Her job is to make sure your daughter is where she is supposed to be, when she is supposed to be there, wearing what she is supposed to wear and doing what she is supposed to do. She will also be a most ardent supporter. She will assist when needed, help find solutions when problems arise and cheer your daughter from the sidelines. Parents please make sure your contestant has everything they need before pageant so that you do not have to deliver items. Do not leave any items at the theatre to be delivered to your daughter. We want to make sure nothing is lost or forgotten
Contestant Safety
Great efforts are taken to ensure the safety of your daughter while she is in Columbus. Columbus State University buses provide transportation to and from special events and meals each day. Security guards are always present at the theater and the dormitory area.
Preliminary Competitions
On Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday nights of pageant week contestants will compete in Swimsuit (Physical Fitness), Evening Wear, On Stage Question, and Talent. The contestants select their groups during Forum weekend. The group chosen dictates what phase of competition they will do each night. Winners in preliminary Talent and Swimsuit (Physical Fitness) will be announced following each night of preliminary competitions.
Contestant Departure from Theater
After visitation each night, the contestants leave the theater and walk across the street to contestant housing.
Visitation
Reason
Visitation allows franchises and family members to visit with the contestant after each night of preliminary competition. The location for each group to meet for visitation will be announced during preliminary competition. This is the time for contestants to receive positive reinforcement. It is not a time for criticism or gossip. No gifts will be allowed during visitation. All gifts must go to Hostess Headquarters at the Broadway Crossing Apartments Lobby.
Length of Time: Visitation time is from 15-20 minutes
Regulations: No gifts or cards can be taken to contestants during visitation
Badges and Order Form:
Each person attending visitation is required to have a badge. An order form for badges can be found on the Miss Georgia website. Badges cannot be transferred from one person to another. Each person attending visitation is required to purchase a badge. The parents of each contestant will be given their badges free of charge.
Gifts During Pageant Week:
During pageant week contestants receive many gifts from parents, family, friends, and franchises. Some contestants receive an enormous number of items. Some are received daily. Depending on the individual situation, there have been contestants who were not fortunate enough to be remembered during the week. When this happens it is very difficult for these contestants to remain upbeat. Regardless of the cost, any gift will be appreciated. The contestants pick up their gifts from the Hostess Headquarters daily. Please keep that in mind when buying gifts. Oversized gifts or gifts that weigh a lot are discouraged. Care should be taken in sending perishable items to the dorms. Remember whatever you send in will have to be moved out at the end of the week. If you know of economical gifts that your daughter would enjoy receiving, share that information with the franchise. In order to prevent last minute stress, it is also recommended that you begin collecting those items early and bring them with you to Columbus. Hostess Headquarters does not have a refrigerator so choose items that do not require refrigeration.
Tickets
Season Tickets: A season ticket includes a ticket to Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday competitions. Season tickets will be sold before single night tickets will be available. May 1, 2015 is the deadline for season tickets. You should already have received ticket options. If not, ticket order forms can be found on the Miss Georgia website. Ticket orders can be turned in at Forum Weekend. It is imperative you order tickets as quickly as possible or you may be sitting in the back of the theater.
Single Night Tickets: Single night tickets will go on sale June 1, 2015, through
Miss Georgia Farewell Luncheon Tickets:
A farewell luncheon will be held on Friday of pageant week to honor the outgoing Miss Georgia and Miss Georgia Outstanding Teen. Presentations are also made for Community Service and Scholarship Awards. Contestants will be present and will be allowed to eat with family and franchisemembers. A form to order these tickets can be found on the Miss Georgia website. Tickets must be purchased by Saturday, June 13. Tickets WILL NOT beavailable for sale the week of the pageant or at the door. You must have a ticket to attend
Pageant Pictures and Videos
Contestants will receive forms to order pageant week pictures and videos. NO OTHER CAMERAS OR VIDEO CAMERAS ARE ALLOWED IN THE AUDITORIUM DURING PAGEANT WEEK. Pictures can be taken during visitation. However, cameras will not be allowed in the theater until after each night of competition. Matt Boyd Photography is our official photographer. Photographs will be published on the Web for you to see and order.
Saturday Night
Everyone, except Miss Georgia will be given three options following the pageant on Saturdaynight:
•Option 1: Contestants may return to the Broadway Crossing apartment with a hostess and stay the night.
•Option 2: Contestant will sign out for the night with a parent ortheir local franchise which must be present for the contestant to leave. You MUST return to the apartment by 8:00 AM to clear the apartment.
Please discuss with your daughter what she wishes to do prior to pageant week.
Sunday Morning After Miss Georgia is Crowned
The Sunday morning after the Miss Georgia Pageant will be very hectic. There are many things to do and you should recruit family and friends to assist you. Starting at 8:00 am, contestants will need to clear the apartment. They will need to remove their belonging, including flowers, clean the refrigerator and take out the trash. When everything is loaded and cleaned out of her apartment, contestants are required to check out with their hostess and then turn in their key downstairs in hostess headquarters. After leaving the apartment, contestants will report to the River Center. The River Center will not be open until 10:00 am. At that time, the contestants need to clear everything out of their dressing rooms. Please do not go to breakfast in the middle of these tasks. All contestants must complete check out at both locations by 11:00 am.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Are we permitted to visit the theater during rehearsals?
A:All rehearsals are closed but to production staff, hostesses, and contestants.
Q:What about the special young man in my daughter's life?
A: Where there are dynamic women, there are usually special young men. Your daughter is not alone. Visitation (entrance by badge only) with contestants will be allowed after each preliminary competition. We rely on parents and the contestant to explain our rules to these young men and help them understand why these rules are important.
Q:How can parents help?
A:Come to Columbus to enjoy yourselves. Have confidence in your daughter. Praise but resist the urge to criticize. Always let her know you love her whether she wins or not. Discuss with her prior to the pageant how she should react to winning or not winning.
Q: If my daughter gets sick or needs something how will I know?
A:One of the forms received during Forum is a release for Emergency treatment. This will authorize the pageant to take whatever steps they need to provide medical attention to your daughter, if needed. Hostesses will contact you if there is a need for you to be involved. Please provide your daughter with needed telephone numbers for your hotel, pagers, or cell phone numbers.
Q:If my daughter reports a situation of inappropriate behavior by another contestant or hostess, who should she contact?
A:Hostess Chairman or Mansfield Bias, President
Q: What behavior changes should I expect to see in my daughter during pageant week?
A: You will probably witness behavior that could be characterized as euphoric, excited, sad, weary, or mad. If your daughter is a first timer and since she will not have seen family, friends, or franchises from Saturday-Wednesday, you may experience tears the first night of visitation. These tears are very normal and are a release from being in a confined situation. Your positive reinforcement is most important at a time like this.
Q: How can I help prepare my daughter physically and emotionally for this week?
A: In order to deal with the physical and emotional stress of rehearsals and preparation, it is important for each contestant to start now with a schedule. Contestants should work on stamina and endurance prior to coming to Columbus. Rest is important. Walking can increase stamina and endurance. Proper diets are important. Eating well pageant week is important. Medications taken on a regular basis should be taken during the week. This is not the time to try new anything. In addition, the week before the pageant is not the time to begin a new routine. Make sure your daughter is getting her rest now and eating properly so that she will be at her best during competition week.
Q: What if part of my daughter's wardrobe needs repair?
A:She should contact her hostess. Her hostess will know what resources are required. The family will become involved only when necessary.
Q;What will our wardrobe needs be during pageant week?
A:You can count on Columbus in June being hotter than anywhere else in the state. Remember that it is difficult to please everyone with the temperature of a room or theatre. Come prepared with a sweater or light jacket in the event one is needed. You should be prepared to be comfortable for preliminary nights. As a rule, guests attending the Miss Georgia Pageant dress formally on Saturday night for final competition.
What If My Daughter Wins Miss Georgia?
If your daughter wins Miss Georgia, you will be escorted on stage following the crowning.
Almost immediately the new Miss Georgia will be taken away to prepare for her first appearance at the Miss Georgia VIP Reception. Following the VIP Reception she will move immediately into the Columbus Marriott and will spend the night there with a chaperone. She will prepare for the contract signing the next morning and her first press conference. The family of the newly crowned Miss Georgia will be responsible for moving all of her clothes fromthe theater and the dorm on the morning after the pageant. The family will be directed to the appropriate location for those items. All items should be removed from the theater and dorm by 11:00AM.
Housing Arrangements for Miss Georgia:
The winner will spend some of her time in Columbus when not traveling and making appearances. Also, at times…Miss Georgia will be provided other accommodations including host families from around the state when making appearances.
The new Miss Georgia will remain in Columbus following the Miss Georgia Pageant. At a designated time, the winner will travel home for a welcome home party in her own community. At that same time, discussions will be held and available wardrobe items will be discussed and packed for the return to Columbus.
Preparation For Miss America:
Being Miss Georgia is a full time job! The new Miss Georgia will hit the road running as she prepares for Miss America. Schedules will be developed for personal appearances, interview preparation, wardrobe shopping, physical fitness sessions, talent preparation, and the development of all paperwork. This will be an intensive period and may not allow for many visits home. Parents, families and boyfriends should be prepared for the fact that the new Miss Georgia will be kept very busy and have limited time for visits with family and friends prior to Miss America. If preparation for Miss Georgia includes thoughts of Miss America, the transition for preparation for Miss America will be much easier.
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The Parent’s Pageant Guide