General Information on Becoming a Contestant

To compete in the Miss Florida Scholarship Program, a contestant must first win a local preliminary pageant. Some locals have specific geographic eligibility requirements, based on where you live, attend school full-time, or work full-time. To learn more about a local program in your area click here to go to the local pageant page. Below you see a list of eligibility requirements shared by all local programs:

◦ Must be at least 17 old and entering your senior year of high school.
◦ Single, never been married.
◦ Live, work full time, or attend school full time in Florida.
◦ Be a high school graduate by the time you compete for Miss Florida.
◦ Be no older than 24 on September 30, 2008
◦ U.S. Citizen ◦ Meet character criteria as set forth by the Miss America Organization.
◦ Be able to meet the time commitment and responsibilities as set forth by the local program in which you compete.
◦ Be able to meet the time commitment and responsibilities as set forth by the Miss Florida program should you win the title.
◦ Register on www.MissAmerica4kids.com and raise $100 for each local in which you compete
(a maximum of $400) and $250 for the state competition.

Areas of Competition:
25% Interview Competition
35% Talent Competition
20% Evening-Wear Competition
15% Lifestyle and Fitness in Swimsuit Competition
5% On-Stage Question Interview Competition

Each contestant participates in an individual 10-minute press conference-style interview with our panel of judges. There are typically 5 judges on a panel. Contestants are questioned on their background as presented on their fact sheet, their educational and career goals, their opinions on current events and social issues, and their interests, hobbies and extracurricular activities. Scoring is based on overall communication skills, including personality, intelligence, validated opinions, emotional control, overall first impression and personal appearance, and whether the contestant possesses the overall qualities and attributes of a Miss America. Each interview begins with no introduction by the contestant. This is followed by a question and answer period. The interview concludes with the opportunity to make a final statement during the last 30 seconds to the judges. This is optional; a contestant need not take this opportunity. They may end the interview at that time.

Talent Competition Contestants perform a less than 90 second routine of their own choosing. Some possible talents include all types of singing, dancing, gymnastics, instrumental music, dramatic or comedy monologues, baton twirling and ventriloquism. Other talents that can be performed solo on a stage are also possible. Phone or e-mail us if you have a question about your talent presentation. Scoring is based on contestant's skill and personality, interpretive ability, technical skill level, stage presence and the totality of all elements, including costume, props, voice, use of body and choreography. Eveningwear Competition Each contestant appears on stage in an outfit of her own choosing, representative of what she would wear to a formal, black tie social event. Pantsuits, cocktail dresses and evening gowns are all appropriate for this phase of the competition. Scoring is based on overall first impression, sense of confidence, personality and stage presence, walk and posture, appropriateness of attire and sense of attractiveness. Lifestyle and Fitness in Swimsuit Competition Each contestant briefly appears on stage in a one or two piece swimsuit and footwear of her own choosing. Scoring is based on overall first impression, statement of physical fitness and health, overall physique and proportion, walk, posture and grace, sense of confidence and presence on stage. On-Stage Interview Each contestant will be asked one or two on-stage questions during or after the eveningwear competition, with the score factoring on how well she answers the extemporaneous question(s).

Find out more information about our Local Pageants by going to the LOCALS Page and contact the Local Pageant Directors or Regional Director directly for information on their pageants.  Below is a regional breakdown of the local pageants.

Click here for the required forms