Miss Idaho Outstanding Teen FAQs

• How old do I have to be to compete in the Miss America Outstanding Teen system?
• Contestants are between the ages 13 - 17 (some restrictions apply to 17 year olds)
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• What are the dates required for participation?
• Saturday April 24 will be a mandatory contestant and guardian orientation. Orientation will take place in Boise, at the Red Lion Down Towner. Pageant week is June 6 -12 all contestants will be required to attend rehearsals each day. Contestants will need transportation to and from the Morrison Center and will be released each night to their families. And one lucky young lady who is crowned Miss Idaho Outstanding Teen 2010 will spend over a week in Orlando Florida August 19- 28 to compete at Miss America Outstanding Teen.
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• Is there an entry fee to compete in the Miss Idaho Outstanding Teen system?
• There is a $400 entry fee to participate in Miss Idaho Outstanding Teen. (A $100’s will be deducted from entry fee if paid in full by December 31). The Miss America Outstanding Teen programs national platform is the Children’s Miracle Network, we would like to request each contestant raise at least $100 for CMN. We also have an opening number that is required (last years was under $100). Besides these fees, the other additional cost involved in our program would be left up to you, we do encourage you wear outfits you already have or can borrow.
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• Can I raise my entry fee through sponsorship?
• Yes we encourage our contestants to go out in their local community and find corporate, local business and friends and family to help sponsor you for entry fee and other pageant related expenses. Your six largest sponsors will be advertised in our program book.
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• What is a platform?
• The Platform requires each contestant to choose an issue about which she cares deeply and that is of relevance to our society. Once chose, Miss Idaho Outstanding Teen the state titleholder uses their stature to address community service organizations, business and civic leaders, the media and others about their platform issues.
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• Are scholarships available for those who are not awarded a title?
• Yes we do pay scholarship awards to others than just the titleholder. Last year besides awarding $1000 to the state titleholder we also gave to her court 1st - 4th runner up and preliminary winners for Talent and Teen Spirit over $2000 in scholarship awards.
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• What are the competition categories?
• The Miss America Outstanding Teen program has 5 areas of competition they are broken down as follows: Interview 30% of total score. Talent 35% of total score. Evening Wear with On Stage Question 20% of total score. Physical Fitness 10% of total score. Scholastic Achievement 5% of total score. It is important to remember each contestant is judged only against themselves not against each other.
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• What do the judges look for?
• In Interview: Can she handle anything and everything? Is she charismatic, dynamic, mature and intelligent enough to fulfill her duties and represent the Miss America Organization with poise and professionalism day in and day out? In Talent: If she is asked to entertain, is she going to entertain the audience? Will she dazzle? In Evening Wear: Does she capture your attention by simply walking into a room? Does she achieve that “WOW” factor? In On-Stage Question: Does her voice and presence capture the attention of the masses? Can she adapt an answer that is relevant and how does she articulate the answer? In Physical Fitness: Is she physically fit (not the thinnest, but truly physically fit)? This whole phase of competition is a great indication of confidence. In Scholastic Achievement: Does she maintain at least a “B” avg. Is she taking advance, IB or AP courses? Does she hold leadership positions in the school and extracurricular activities? Does she meet the description of an “outstanding student”?
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• What does Miss Idaho Outstanding Teen do after she is selected?
• She quickly embarks on a 15-day mad rush to complete and submit paperwork for her National competition in August. Also within her first 7 days of being crowned she will need to be available for professional photos taken by our official photographer located in Boise. During the weeks leading up to Nationals the new Miss Idaho Outstanding Teen will be busy preparing for her once in a lifetime opportunity by practicing interview skills, developing her platform, selecting her wardrobe for competition and returning to Boise for one more exciting photo shoot. Once Nationals is completed Miss Idaho Outstanding Teens calendar of events slows down and most appearances are scheduled to take place in the titleholders hometown or surrounding areas. In November an appearance is required for the Boise Festival of Trees, and in June participation is required for the crowing of the new Miss Idaho Outstanding Teen.
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• How soon should I sign up for competition?
• As soon as possible space is limited, we only have 20 contestant spots. No duplication of talent is allowed (same song, music and etc.); registration reserves your talent selection. All registrations paid in full by December 31, 2009 will save $100, making entry fee only $300.
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• Who do I contact once I have decided to compete in Miss Idaho Outstanding Teen?
• Tami Urquhart
  Executive Director
  Miss Idaho Outstanding Teen
  miot_president@yahoo.com
  208-386-9799 home
  208-794-2664 cell