There is no prior pageant experience necessary to enter or to win. Many contestants have won on their first attempt, and many others return because it was a positive experience. We like to believe that each woman who participates in a pageant leaves a little more prepared to deal with the world around them, and more importantly, the world ahead of them! Basically, the philosophy for the MRS.ARIZONA UNITED STATES Pageant is not about encouraging women to ‘win’ a pageant, but to encourage excellence in women, and to help them develop life skills that will ultimately help them win in life by being the best they can be in everything they do.
The winner of this State Pageant will embark on an exciting journey, and receive a prize package including wardrobe, travel and more. She will journey to Las Vegas, Nevada where she will compete for the coveted title of MRS. UNITED STATES. Casting Crowns Productions, Inc. will cover her entry fee and airfare, and all of her lodging as well as other perks will be provided by the MRS. UNITED STATES Organization.
Pageant Weekend:
While the program places an emphasis on excellence, achievement and personal growth, we also strive to make the pageant experience FUN! The pageant is a two-day event, and is scheduled for June 12-13, 2010, in Mesa at the Mesa Arts Center.
On the first day, it’s fun, fun, fun! The contestants enjoy meeting the pageant staff and other contestants. There is an orientation, rehearsal and photos will be taken for the pageant website.
The second day begins with the personal interview competition. During the interviews, each contestant has the opportunity to meet individually with each judge for a three-minute interview. Each contestant has the opportunity to convince the judges she is right for the job of Mrs. ARIZONA UNITED STATES. Following the interviews, the contestants will head to the theater for more rehearsals. The second day ends with the on-stage competition. At the end of the show, there will be a new Mrs. ARIZONA UNITED STATES.
Pageant Competition:
Each Contestant will compete in three equal phases of competition: swimsuit, evening gown, and interview. The scores from the three phases of competition are added up, and the contestants with the highest composite scores become semifinalists. The total number of contestants in the competition will determine the number of semifinalists.
Scoring is based on:
Swimsuit: each contestant is evaluated on her physical fitness, stage-presence, and overall impression.
Evening Gown: each contestant is evaluated on grace, poise, style, stage presence, the confidence with which she carries herself, and overall-impression.
Interview: preliminary interviews are personal one-on-one style. You will have three-minute interviews with each of the three judges. It’s very comfortable and conversational. Contestants are scored on their communication skills, and personality. They are NOT scored on their opinions or personal beliefs.
Once the semifinalists are announced during the final show, they will each have a short on stage interview. Each judge will then be told to circle the names of the (3-5) women, based on their OVERALL impressions of each contestant throughout the weekend that they want to be a finalist. The number of circles and finalists will be determined by the number of semifinalists and will range between 3 and 5. The contestants receiving the most circles will be the finalists.
The finalists will then each have a final on-stage question. After each contestant has answered her question, the judges will make their final rankings based on their overall impression of each contestant. The judges will select a winner, 1st runner-up, 2nd runner-up, (3rd runner-up, and 4th runner-up / if applicable).
Pageant Wardrobe (Each contestant is to provide her own competition wardrobe):
Private Interview: An outfit that represents your personality and you feel comfortable wearing. This can range from casual to business oriented, but something you would find in your own closet.
Swimsuit: You may choose between one and two-piece suits. However, adequate coverage is required and no thongs are allowed. Swimsuits may be any appropriate style, and design, and there are no color restrictions. Patterns and prints are also acceptable.
Evening Gown: all contestants must have a full-length evening gown of your choice. The style, design, and color are up to you. It can be elaborate, or very simple. Choose something that makes you feel beautiful. Your gown should represent YOUR own personality and taste. Remember, you can look like a million bucks without spending a million bucks!
Opening Production Number: Each Contestant WILL BE PROVIDED an opening number dress from Casting Crowns Productions. We are excited to be able to improve the visual aspect of our show and save each of you from having to purchase an additional outfit! You will need to wear a pair of SILVER heels with the dress, and any earrings of your choice. You may not embellish or add anything to the dress itself, however you may feel free to alter it to fit you properly. Each contestant is eligible to receive their dress after they pay their $295 registration fee. The dresses will be distributed at Info Meetings or you can send us money to have it shipped directly to you.
Contestant Titles:
Once a contestant has paid her initial $295 registration fee, she will also be able to select a title under which she will compete at the state pageant. These titles are assigned on a first-come, first-serve basis. Contestants should choose titles that represent where they live, work or intend to look for sponsors. Examples could be city names, county names, regional parts of the state, or catch phrases like Sonoran Desert, Capitol City, etc. Once assigned a title, you will be sent a two color satin embroidered sash with your title on it. You may wear this sash when you go out to look for sponsors, and you may make appearances with the sash for the remainder of calendar year 2010 for charitable organizations and other exciting events. The sash will also be worn during competition, so please keep it clean and do not put any holes in it or embellish it with pins or rhinestones until after the state pageant. To choose your title, please see the title request form in this packet. Fill out the form, and return it to the pageant office along with the registration forms, and the $295 registration fee. You will be notified of your title and then your sash will be ordered and shipped to you upon its completion.
Sponsors:
Contestants may if they choose, seek to find sponsors in their own communities to help them offset the costs of being in the pageant. Sponsors can be family and friends, local businesses, etc. Each contestant will be allowed to list up to 10 sponsors in the program book. While this donation to you is not a tax write off for individuals, it can be written off as an advertising expense for any business sponsor you may find. Sponsors may make their checks out to you directly or to Casting Crowns Productions, Inc. Once you have paid your total amount of fees due to participate, any additional funds you raise will be returned to you (less a 3% processing fee) so that you can apply it to your wardrobe or other pre-pageant expenses. Also, there are no required ad sales for the program book, but the pageant will sell ad pages to you at a wholesale cost ($250 for a full page) if you wish to raise money by selling the ads at retail value. For more information on ad sales feel free to contact the office with your questions.
Fees:
Registration: The registration fee to officially enter the pageant and have a title assigned to you is $295. All fees can be paid by check, money order or credit card (Mastercard/VISA/DISCOVER). Once your registration fee is received you will receive your title, we will order your sash and contact you to make arrangements for you to receive your opening number dress.
Production: The production fee is $600 and must be paid within 60 days of your Registration fee, or no later than two weeks before the pageant date, whichever comes first. Each contestant will have her own deadlines, therefore, if you have any problem and need an extension please contact the office so we can work with you. As part of your production fee, you will be provided a hotel room for Saturday May 8th at our Host Hotel, the Mesa Holiday Inn. This room will be paid for by the pageant. You will not be roomed with another contestant; rather, you will have your own room, and will be allowed to share it with your family. If you choose to stay at the host hotel Friday and/or Sunday nights, we will have a group reservation code available for you. You will also be part of a beautiful theater production and make memories of a lifetime.
To summarize, the ENTIRE fee to participate is $895. No mandatory ad page sales, no hidden production fees!
Program book ad pages may be purchased for $250 per page. These are optional, but many contestants utilize them to highlight their sponsors and themselves. All ad pages must be camera-ready, or there will be a charge for formatting.
Ticket Info: Tickets will be general admission. Adult tickets will cost $35 and tickets for children age 3-12 will be $15. Lap children under 3 years of age are free. All tickets should be purchased through the theater box office and will have theater fees added to the base price. Tickets will go on sale 2 weeks prior to the pageant.
How to Enter:
Fill out an application here. After we have received your application, we will contact you with further instructions!
If you are looking for motivation to get out of your comfort zone, and need something to push you towards self-improvement and higher self-esteem, consider joining us for this year’s event. Or, if you are just looking to live out a childhood dream, or just have some fun and meet new friends, this is an event and opportunity for you! Please don’t hesitate to call us with any questions or concerns 480-467-9933.