2025 Competition Guide by Miss Keller & Tarrant County Organization

MissKeller&TarrantCounty Organization

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Meet the team behind the Miss Keller and Tarrant County Organization

Why Miss America?

Details the criteria participants must meet to be eligible for the competition

PHASES OF COMPETITION

Provides a detailed breakdown of each phase of the competition

Understand your audience, foster engagement, and collaborate with fellow creators.

The process for signing up for the competition, including deadlines, fees, and required documentation

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AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION

Instructions for registering your Spotfund with Miss America X The American Heart Association

WARDROBE CONTACT

Covers guidelines and requirements for competition attire for candidates.

The contact information for the competition directors, including phone numbers and email addresses, for any inquiries

Greetings,

It is with great pleasure, that I welcome you to consider participating in the Miss Keller and Tarrant County Competition My name is Michelle Donatto, and it is my honor to serve as the Director of this esteemed competition in our fifth consecutive year. Pageantry has been a lifelong passion of mine, beginning when I was a young girl dreaming of becoming Miss America Though that particular dream was not realized, I have had the privilege of holding numerous titles, such as Miss Black Teen Dallas Fort Worth, Miss Southwest Trinity, I was Top 12 at Miss Texas America, Most Talented Actress at Miss Texas America, Miss Black Texas, Miss Galaxy International Texas, Miss Dallas Black Elite, Miss Juneteenth of Texas, and Cinderella Miss Fort Worth, Texas, among a host of many other titles and awards

Competing in pageants has instilled in me the confidence and skills necessary to pursue various endeavors throughout my life I’ve been a radio talk show host, booked National Anthem singers for the Texas Rangers, worked as a Talent Manager, and managed a private group of Fortune 100 CIOs, while hosting events in the finest hotels and venues in New York and San Francisco. My journey through the world of pageantry has been enriching and transformative, and I bring this experience to my role as Director I have worn many hats in the pageant community – as a contestant, judge, volunteer, and now as a director.

While working as Community Liaison for K104 FM Radio, I directed the Miss K104 pageant and enjoyed crowning Erykah Badu the winner as Boys 2 Men were the intermission entertainment.

Our organization has achieved significant milestones in recent years, including guiding Ellie Breaux, Miss Texas 2023 to second runner-up in her first year of competing and later coaching her to the Miss Texas crown, where she ultimately became first runner-up to Miss America. These accomplishments are a testament to the dedication and support we offer our contestants

This year, we are thrilled to open our arms and welcome four new deserving young women to direct and coach toward the Miss Texas competition. We are committed to providing a nurturing and supportive environment where you can develop your skills, enhance your confidence, and shine brightly on stage

Please do not hesitate to reach out to Kennedy or me if you have any questions about our competition, our management, or how we support our contestants We are eager to engage in open dialogue with each of you and look forward to seeing who will be crowned on September 28th!

With warmest regards,

Michelle Donatto, Executive Director

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR MichelleDonatto

MISS AMERICA? Why DO IT FOR THE…

Applause! Receive recognition for your efforts and your community.

Personal Development – Gain valuable experience and develop life skills.

Crown & Awards! Winners receive scholarships toward tuition for college/grad school & a crown!

Glamour – Red carpet moments await.

Adventure…..Explore new interests, discover new opportunities.

Sisterhood! Make lifelong friends with other likeminded motivated women.

Growth….Foster a positive, self-motivated mindset to achieve your goals.

COMPETITION ELIGIBILITY

MISS

Age: Must be 18 at state competition and no older than 27 at state competition

School, Residency, Employment:

Requirement satisfied by one of the following:

Reside in the State of Texas (may use parent’s address for residency); Enrolled in and physically attending classes at an accredited college; OR Employed on a full-time basis in the State of Texas

Citizenship: Must be a U.S. Citizen continuously improve and create

TEEN

Age: Must be 14 at state competition and no older than 18 as of June 21st, 2025. Women who are 18 may elect to compete in the Miss or Teen competiton.

School, Residency, Employment:

Reside in the State of Texas (may use parent’s address for residency); Must be successfully enrolled and attending classes on a fulltime basis at an accredited public or private school, or home schooled in Texas

Citizenship: Must be a U.S. Citizen continuously improve and create

OF COMPETITION Phases

Contestants participate in a private interview with the judges, where they are evaluated on their communication skills, poise, and ability to articulate their thoughts on various topics, including their personal platforms and current events.

ON-STAGE CONVERSATION

TALENT OR HERSTORY

During the on-stage conversation segment, contestants answer impromptu questions posed by the judges. This phase assesses their quick thinking, public speaking abilities, and confidence in addressing a live audience. Contestants have the opportunity to demonstrate their unique talents or share a significant personal story. This phase highlights their creativity, passion, and individuality, allowing them to connect with the judges and audience on a deeper level.

EVENING GOWN

In the evening gown phase, contestants are judged on their grace, elegance, and overall presence while wearing formal evening attire. This segment showcases their poise and stage presence.

HEALTH AND FITNESS

The health and fitness phase evaluates contestants on their physical fitness, overall health, and commitment to a healthy lifestyle. This segment often includes a fitness routine or presentation to demonstrate their dedication to well-being.

PRIVATE INTERVIEW & ON-STAGE CONVERSATION

PRIVATE INTERVIEW - 30%

Interviews are 10 minutes with a 30-second Community Service Initiative opening statement, a 9:00 interview, and an optional 30-second closing or to finish the last question answered. There are typically 5 to 7 judges on a panel, and the interview is press style, with the contestant standing at a podium. Contestants are questioned on their background as presented on their fact sheet, educational and career goals, 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. Can the judge envision the public, especially young people, being positively impacted by meeting this young woman?

ON-STAGE CONVERSATION- 10%

Can she handle the pressure of speaking on stage in front of an audience? Judges must give special attention to whether or not she answered the question she was asked, and did she have the ability to make the audience want to listen to her? The contestant’s total look, grace, charm, and ability as a spokesperson and role model must be considered.

TALENT OR HERSTORY 20%

Contestants will perform a talent of 90 Seconds. Nothing longer will be accepted, and this time limit is strictly enforced! Judges will be informed immediately if a contestant exceeds 90 seconds. Each judge will then use this information to assist in determining his/her score of the contestant’s talent competition. 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. Will the judge be proud that he or she selected this young woman when she performs her talent if she is selected as the titleholder? Did the judge enjoy the presentation?

Approved Performing Arts & Talent List

Vocal

Instruments

Baton Twirling

Magic

Dramatic Reading

Slam Poetry

Flags or Color Guard Presentation

Silks

Hula Hoops

Unicycling

Theatrical Science Experiments

Rodeo/Roping

Contortionist

Storytelling (HerStory)

Dance

Gymnastics (all types)

Painting

Stand Up Comedy

Monologues

Spoken Word

Martial Arts Demo

Roller Skating

Balancing Acts

Juggling

Ventriloquism

Cheerleading

Signing

Ballroom Dancing*

Cheer Skills*

*Partner approval by request

Updated by RB on 2/13/2024

EVENING GOWN

20%

Each contestant appears onstage in a gown of her own choosing, representative of what she would wear to a prom or other formal event. Overall “first impression”; sense of confidence, composure, and poise; personality and stage presence; walk, carriage, posture, and beauty; sense of style and ageappropriateness of the evening wear are evaluated. Does she take command of the stage by simply walking onto it?

For the Teen contestants, dresses should be appropriate for a TEEN. High slits and plunging necklines are not recommended.

HEALTH & FITNESS

Shoes/socks and accessories such as hair bows and earrings are of the contestant’s choosing. The Lifestyle and Fitness competition is designed to determine the level of fitness of the contestant and to obtain a glimpse into her daily routine and lifestyle. The contestant’s drive, energy, and presence are to be likewise considered. 20%

Contestants will model fitness wear for this portion of the competition. The fitness wear should be the Rebel Athletic Miss America Red collection of the contestants choosing.

CHECKLIST Registration

DEADLINE TO REGISTER: SEPTEMBER 21ST, 2024

All contestants must submit their application and all required paperwork by September 21st, 2024 to compete. NO EXCEPTIONS!

HEADSHOT

Please submit a high resolution headshot for the program. All headshots must be submitted to the Co-Director, Kennedy Donatto via the following email: misskellerdirector@gmail.com

TALENT MUSIC

Talent tracks must not exceed 90 seconds. Your chosen track must be submitted to the Co-Director, Kennedy Donatto via the following email: misskellerdirector@gmail.com