Advice from the Inside

By Miss Maine 2004, Ami Vice

Congratulations on your decision to participate in the Miss Maine Scholarship Pageant! I believe that training like this is found nowhere else for young women. To participate in the Miss Maine Scholarship Pageant is a terrific experience that creates opportunities for young women to hone in on many life skills. A young woman will

Gain confidence,
Become more assertive,
Learn to advocate for herself and the programs she represents,
Learn how to market herself in society,
Feel comfortable with public speaking,
Learn how to give a powerful interview, and
Become a stronger individual.

It can be overwhelming to prepare for this sort of competition without guidance from within the organization. Fortunately, the Miss Maine Scholarship Pageant matched me with a mentor who was there for me every step of the way. This mentor had firsthand experience from competing in pageants for the Miss America Organization. All of our mentors for the Miss Maine Scholarship Pageant are qualified to help and have experience of some kind dealing with our organization.

The year you compete, only one person will be Miss Maine. This statement should not discourage you, because you will be learning skills and making friends and connections, which all will last a lifetime. The preparation and competition will be one of the most memorable experiences and quite possibly a milestone to your life.

I wish each and every one of you the very best of luck and want you to make the most of this experience. Push yourself to your limits! You’ll be amazed at what you’ll accomplish. Please don’t hesitate to contact me should you have ANY questions or concerns!

What you will need to compete in the Miss Maine Scholarship Pageant.

A Headshot

This is as important as your resume and fact sheet because this is the judges’ first impression of you. What you want in a headshot is something professional, yet captures what you will look like when you walk through the door for your interview. I would discourage having the photographer touch up your photo. If you don’t look like your photo, it is misleading. The judges aren’t impressed and will spend time wondering why you don’t look like your photo. They may not hear what you have to say in your opening because they are distracted. Ultimately, from your head shot you want your personality captured and to appear as if you could handle the job as Miss Maine.

What you want is

a shot that captures you from your shoulders up
a shot that is cropped and just shows you – background is unimportant
a shot where you are facing the camera completely, shoulders and all
a professional shot (think of a news anchorwoman – wear a business suit)
a shot that captures your personality and uniqueness

Headshots can be expensive. To save money, I would suggest contacting the photography department at a college near you. Ask for a list of students with contact information who like photographing portraits. Ask to see the photographer’s portfolio. If their work looks like something you’re interested in, set up a photo shoot and discuss their fees.

A Wardrobe

It is not the clothes that make the woman; it is the woman who makes the clothes. Although that might sound cliché, it’s the absolute truth. No one expects contestants to have ten thousand dollar wardrobes. This is a beauty pageant, but, more importantly, an opportunity to earn scholarship money and an opportunity to cultivate the woman whom you are becoming. Acquiring a wardrobe can be done relatively inexpensively and over time. There is no need to run out and buy everything; you may already have plenty in your closet at home! A bridesmaid’s dress or a prom dress may make a perfect evening gown, for example.

To save money, I would suggest shopping during the off-season at department stores, frequently visiting thrift stores and stores like TJ Maxx and Burlington Coat Factory. Classic and simple styles are best because they are timeless. I found the talent gown I wore at Miss Maine and Miss America in perfect condition for a total of nine dollars at a thrift store. In the past, contestants have been able to rent gowns from boutiques. Ask if you can borrow the gown. Even if you think something is impossible, you might be surprised what can happen when you ask.

Keep in mind that a gown or outfit may be beautiful, but we all look beyond the clothing at the person wearing the clothing. With that being said, after acquiring your wardrobe, you must have it altered to fit you perfectly. This makes the greatest difference. This will transform you, because it will look as if the gown was designed for you – your presence will radiate. Fit, flattering style and color are more important than the cost of a gown. It should be an amazing young woman wearing a great gown, not an incredible gown worn by some female.

In the past, contestants have raised money for their wardrobes. Try having fundraisers in your home town. Perform a concert and take donations. Write letters to your family and friends asking for contributions. If you go to church, ask the pastor or priest if after that Sunday’s offering you can take up a separate offering to help you. Ask local businesses if they will sponsor you. You will need to raise money for two salute pages in the program book. After you’ve raised money for those pages, you will receive $100 back for each additional page. Mentors can help with their resources in bringing down the cost as well.

What you want are

colors which are flattering to your coloring
simple and classic styles which flatter your body type
a wardrobe that fits you perfectly and makes you feel great
heels 3” or higher will flatter your legs
a skirt (to your interview suit should be above the knee) which is no shorter than 2” above the knee
swimsuit shoes which are flesh-colored or clear. (Avoid the clear pump. I suggest Victoria’s Secret cork clear band slide – SO comfortable you’ll love these shoes and will want to wear them with EVERYTHING!)

What you’ll need is

Swimsuit Competition: swimsuit (one or two-piece), shoes, and earrings
Evening Wear Competition: evening gown, shoes, jewelry
Talent Competition: talent costume, shoes, jewelry, (props, if necessary)
Interview: interview suit, panty hose, shoes (closed-toe), minimal jewelry
Clothes for the various functions during pageant week (dressy & casual)

A Talent

There are so many talents. Contestants sing, dance, play instruments, perform monologues, perform magic acts, baton twirling, recite poetry, and give speeches. This is only to name the most common of talents. If you have a talent that isn’t listed here, talk it over with the Executive Director of the Miss Maine Organization. It just might work out!

Talents cannot exceed two minutes and this is strictly enforced. There are websites that specialize in selling accompaniments for pageants which are already cut to the two-minute limit. These accompaniments are very inexpensive and can be downloaded to your computer as an MP3, which you can then burn to a CD. These accompaniments also come with a demo track, so you can hear what it should sound like with a singer. If you have an accompaniment tape for a song, let’s say you are a singer; your accompaniment can be edited to meet the two minute limit. All radio stations have the equipment and technology to do this. Contact the nearest radio station and ask to make an appointment and inquire about their fee. I have been able to do some amateur editing on my computer. There is a program called “Audacity” which is free for anyone to download for Macs and PCs.

If your talent happens to be your major in college, or if you’ve had extensive training for your talent throughout your life you will need to make this talent accessible to your audience. For instance, if you are a dancer and are doing everything technically correct, but not connecting with your audience, individuals who don’t know much about dance (and those individuals could be your judges) might not think too highly of your talent. In fact, even for those who haven't had extensive training, talent is much more than singing pleasantly or dancing technically correct. You must make a connection with your audience. So, overall, feel what you are doing and entertain us. This will show through even if your talent isn’t as strong as you’d like for it to be, if you happen to sing something in a language other than English, or if you perform something with which most of us aren’t familiar.

Lastly, please keep in mind that the job of Miss Maine is one of a role model. Pop artists today are singing and performing suggestive material. While that may be the norm for pop culture and entertaining, please keep your talent tasteful. Your greatest sphere of influence is the youth.

I hope this information helps you as you prepare. It will be fun for you to look back over this year and see the changes that you’ve made personally, and the lives you’ve touched throughout this year. If there is anything in this packet that you have questions about or want more information about, contact me, your assigned mentor or the Executive Director. We wish you all the very best and are so excited to have you! Not everyone can say that they’ve competed in the Miss Maine Scholarship Pageant or the Miss America Pageant. You are making history and this will open so many doors for you throughout your future!

Various Information

Headshots

Roxanne Ashey Photography
Official Photographer of the Miss Maine Scholarship Pageant
(207) 725-0695 or 1-888-ROXFOTO (1-888-769-3686)
http://www.roxannesphotos.com
roxie@suscom-maine.net

Jonathon Chance White
(207) 975-1530
http://www.jonathonchancewhite.com
contact@jonathonchancewhite.com

Talent

Wardrobe

Alterations
Carol Thurston
(207) 929-3132 (H)
(207) 229-2807 (C)

Alterations, Dressmaking, and More
The Red Brick Taylor Shop
456 Payne Road
Scarborough, ME 04074
(207) 883-2377

Alterations and Beadwork
Donatelli’s Custom Tailor Shop
Faustino Donatelli
109 Congress Street
Portland, ME 04101
774-3111