• Private Interview - 30% of the total overall score

  • Your choice of stylish, age-appropriate attire - think "press conference" or TedX, not traditional "business interview"​

  • Each contestant participates in an individual interview, and the purpose is to allow the judges insight into the contestant's ability to fulfill the qualifications, responsibilities, duties, and term of a titleholder.

  • Interviews are 10 minutes long and include a 30 second introduction, 9.5 minutes of questions from a panel of 5 judges. There is no closing statement. Contestants may be asked about their community service initiative, qualifications for the title of Miss Cardinal/Miss Cardinal's Teen, their background as presented on their Fact Sheet, their academic and career goals, their opinions on current events and social issues, and their interests, hobbies, and extracurricular activities. 

• Competition Opening Number (not judged)

  • MISS Contestants - Nice jeans, black top, shoes of your choice​, red or white accessories

  • TEEN Contestants - Nice jeans, white top, shoes of your choice, red or black accessories

• On-Stage Question - 10% of total overall score

  • Opening Number Outfit

  • Each contestant will be asked an on-stage question (written by the judges) continuing the interview onto the stage in order to showcase their ability to think on their feet, intelligence, personality, charisma, and aptitude for the job. Questions will be focused on the contestant's commitment to the Service point of the crown

• Talent/HER Story    - 20% of total overall score

  • Outfit appropriate for your talent performance​

  • Each contestant will perform a 90 second (maximum) routine of their own choosing.  Some possible talents include singing, dancing, gymnastics, instrumental music, dramatic or comedic monologues, baton twirling, or ventriloquism. Other talents that can be performed solo on a stage are also acceptable. Contact the directors if you have a question about your talent presentation. Scoring is based on the contestant’s interpretive ability, technical skill level, stage presence, entertainment value, and the totality of all performance elements, including costume, voice, choreography, etc.

• Health and Fitness - 20% of total overall score

  • It is mandatory that all contestants within the Miss America Opportunity wear a Rebel: Miss America Collaboration (Red Collection) outfit. This includes a top and bottom of your choice from THIS LINK using the code MAOINGB.

    • Note: If you already own the required Rebel pieces from a previous competition, you may wear what you have again!​

  • Each contestant will showcase their fitness attire on stage. While modeling, the emcee will read aloud the contestant's statement on #MissAmericaFit from their Fact Sheet. 

  • The purpose of this phase is to allow insight into the contestant's comfort and confidence level on stage, and overall impression of their commitment to health and fitness.

• Evening Gown - 20% of total overall score

  • Red carpet attire​ (evening gown or other formal wear)

  • Each contestant will appear on stage in a formal gown/outfit of their own choosing, representative of what they would wear to a formal, red carpet event. Full-length evening gowns are appropriate for this phase of the competition. Scoring is based on overall first impression, sense of confidence, personality, and stage presence. It is important to note that the scoring is based on the contestant's poise and ability to carry herself in this phase of competition, not on the actual gown or perceived cost of the gown.

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