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Competition Information

Contestants will compete in the following categories:

  • Interview 

  • Casual Wear/Speech

  • Formal Wear/Pop Question


Interviews will be conducted prior to the pageant.  The casual wear and formal wear competitions will happen on the day of the pageant.  The point value and expectations for each component varies based on the age group. Each competition component is explained in detail below.

Interview

Each Contestant will have a panel interview with 3 judges.  Contestants will not know the questions ahead of time.  Interview times vary based on the age division:

  • Little Miss: 3 minutes with a panel of 3 judges 

  • Junior Miss: 4 minutes with a panel of 3 judges  

  • Miss: 5 minutes with a panel of 3 judges  

Contestants are being judged on the following during their interview: 

  • Content of application and answers to questions 

  • Speaking skills and eye contact

  • Drive to volunteer and serve the community 

Casual Wear/Speech

On the day of the pageant, each contestant will model casual wear and deliver a speech on stage.  Notecards are not allowed.  Speech topics are as follows:

  • Little Miss: 30 seconds on Where is your favorite place to hang out in Gurnee? 

  • Junior Miss:  60 seconds on How can you make a difference in your community?

  • Miss: 90 seconds on Platform

Contestants are being judged on the following during the formal wear/speech competition:

  • Delivery and content of speech

  • Eye contact with the judges

  • Comfort level on stage

  • How well she models

Formal Wear/Pop Question

On the day of the pageant, each contestant will model a formal dress and answer a pop question on stage.  Each age division will have their own pop questions.  All contestants are sequestered back stage as to not hear the questions being asked.  Contestants are being judged on the following:

  • Grace and beauty; the cost of the dress does not matter, it is how well it flatters the contestant's figure and how it fits their personality

  • Delivery and content of answer

  • How well she models​​

Dress and Scoring Guidelines

Little Miss:

Interview (40 points from each judge)

  • A sun dress with appropriate length is required

  • Nothing strapless, but halter style is acceptable

  • A dressy, clean sandal, or dress shoe should be worn.  No ballet flats, socks or flip flops.

  • Hair should be polished, either curly or straight, and out of the contestant’s face. 

  • Age appropriate makeup such as light mascara, blush and lip gloss

  • Jewelry should be minimal

  • Nails can be painted, but done tastefully 

Casual Wear (35 points from each judge)

  • The same outfit worn during interview can be worn for this category

  • The interview dress guidelines for attire apply here 

  • Hair should be done more formally and look polished  

  • Hair jewelry is acceptable, headbands, bows, etc.

  • Make up is acceptable. Blush, mascara, and a lip gloss are ok, but nothing over the top. No eye shadow or eyeliner.  We want this to enhance the contestant, not be a distraction. 

  • Other Jewelry should be minimal

  • No hair or body glitter.

Formal Wear (25 points from each judge)

  • This should be a dressy dress, similar to a flower girl dress, or a very nice holiday dress

  • Tea length or full length is acceptable, no cupcake dresses

  • Coordinate a nice dress shoe, no ballet flats or socks

  • Hair jewelry is acceptable (headband, bow, etc.)

  • Make up is acceptable. Blush, mascara, and a lip gloss are ok, but nothing over the top. No eye shadow or eyeliner.  We want this to enhance the contestant, not be a distraction.

  • Other jewelry should be minimal

  • No hair or body glitter

Junior Miss

Interview (40 points from each judge)

  • A nice sundress that is age appropriate is required

  • Dresses should not be too short or too tight, you will be sitting in this

  • Proper undergarments must be worn 

  • A nude shoe is required, with age appropriate heel, no ballet flats

  • Hair should look polished.

  • Age appropriate makeup is acceptable 

  • Earrings, necklaces, rings and bracelets are acceptable, but do not overdo it.  

  • Nails can be painted, but done tastefully

Casual Wear (35 points from each judge)

  • The same outfit worn during interview can be worn for this category

  • The interview dress guidelines for attire apply here 

  • Proper undergarments must be worn 

  • A nude shoe is required, with age appropriate heel, no ballet flats

  • Hair should be more formal and be polished 

  • Age appropriate makeup is acceptable 

  • Earrings, necklaces, rings and bracelets are acceptable, but do not overdo it.  

  • No hair or body glitter

Formal Dress (25 points from each judge)

  • A full length dress is required, no high/low hemlines, must have straps, can have an open back but not down to waist (keyhole back is acceptable)

  • The dress should be age appropriate 

  • Proper undergarments must be worn 

  • Keep your shoe tasteful

  • Earrings, necklaces, rings and bracelets are acceptable, but do not overdo it. 

  • No hair or body glitter 

Miss

​Interview (40 points from each judge)

  • Professional interview dress is required 

  • A nude heel is required

  • Proper undergarments should be worn.  Panty hose are optional

  • Hair should look polished

  • Makeup should enhance your beauty

  • Necklaces, bracelets, rings and earrings are acceptable

  • Nails should be done tastefully

Casual Wear (35 points from each judge)

  • The same outfit worn during interview can be worn for this category

  • The interview dress guidelines for attire apply here 

  • Proper undergarments should be worn 

  • A nude heel is required

  • Hair should look polished

  • Makeup should enhance your beauty

  • Necklaces, bracelets, rings and earrings are acceptable

  • No hair or body glitter

Formal Wear (25 points from each judge)

  • A full length evening gown is required, no high/low hemlines

  • Slits must not go higher than 3 inches above the knee

  • Nothing too low cut in the front or back

  • Proper undergarments must be worn

  • Shoes should coordinate with the dress, keep the style and heel tasteful

  • Makeup should enhance your beauty

  • Earrings, necklaces, rings and bracelets are acceptable

  • No hair or body glitter

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Judging Policies
We are asking our judges for their opinion.  Each contestant has qualities that will touch each judge differently.  The judges will not know any contestant outside of the pageant.  Judges do not see the program or any other information about the contestants other than their application and picture.  We strive to have judges of different backgrounds, race, age, gender and pageant experience.  

Access to Scoring Information
If a contestant would like to see her scores after the pageant, arrangements will be made with the pageant directors to pick up her score sheets at a location TBD.

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