2024 Competition Guide

Letter from Executive Director Welcome to the Miss Southlake Organization I am a beneficiary of the outstanding legacy of the Miss Texas and Miss America Organizations. As a local titleholder, I competed four times with four different organizations before I was selected to serve as Miss Texas 2012. Each of my local directors and boards gave countless time, energy, talents, and resources to help shape me into who I am today.

Although several years have passed since I served as Miss Texas, my heart has never left this organization. The life skills that you learn through competing and serving as a titleholder aid you in every area of your life. That is ultimately why I decided to come back as a local director. I am excited to hit the ground running with innovative ideas to enrich the legacy of this program.

Preparing Women for the Stage and Beyond A major component of Miss Texas and Miss America is the competition. I have spent a majority of my life in different types of competitions. I began my competitive years in twirling, transitioned to the Miss America local, state, and national stage, and now compete in the courtroom. I know about the persistence and drive that it takes to train like a champion. We have assembled an exciting team of talented people who also know what it takes to reach the next level.

Preparing Great Women for the World As the largest scholarship provider for women, Miss America funds the academic dreams of its participants. Thanks in part to my scholarships from local competitions, Miss Texas, and Miss America, I graduated debt-free. As Malala Yousafzai said, “One child, one teacher, one book, one pen can change the world.” We are striving to increase the amount of scholarship assistance we can provide to our representatives and all of our candidates.

Preparing the World for Great Women Women’s voices are being heard like never before. We want to build on that movement by developing our representative’s advocacy skills and providing opportunities for her to advocate for her causes.

By partnering with the Southlake local government and other local organizations, we can show our community the power of our program and our women.

We are so excited that you have chosen to participate in our organization! We are going to have a phenomenal year.

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DaNae Couch Lowe, Miss Texas 2012

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COMPETITION INFORMATION

A New Season Begins, and The Legacy Continues.

The 2024 Miss Southlake, Miss Westlake, Miss Southlake’s Teen, and Miss Westlake’s Teen Competition will take place at the Coppell Arts Center in Coppell, TX, on Saturday, September 16, 2023. A day-of schedule will be circulated closer to the competition.

We are incredibly excited to welcome you to this state-of-the-art facility. and we are proud to advance the mission of the Miss America Organization and Miss Texas Organization following the 101st and 86th Anniversaries, respectively.

More than anything, this Competition Guide is a resource. The rest of the Guide will provide a high-level overview of the Phases of Competition, the Score Distribution, Applicable State & Local Paperwork, and Ad Page information. It will also flag relevant deadlines so that you are ready to compete on September 16.

The Phases of Competition include: Private Interview, On-Stage Conversation, Health & Fitness, Evening Gown, and Talent or HERStory.

We look forward to having you join us on September 16, and we look forward to the opportunity to welcome you into The Lakers Family.

If you have any questions about how to get involved in The Lakers Organization, please contact Executive Director DaNae Couch Lowe at DaNae@MissSouthlake.org. We would be happy to answer any questions that you may have and connect you with applicable resources.

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WHY SHOULD I BE A CANDIDATE

Each year, thousands of young women participate at the local, state, and national levels, culminating in the selection of 51 national finalists who compete for Miss America or Miss America’s Teen. One of them could be you—all you have to do is take the leap!

People always ask: Why Should I Be a Candidate? Well, Because You Can: • Gain valuable experience and Develop life skills (e.g. interview skills, public speaking, interpersonal communication, social interaction, etc.); • Earn quality scholarship funds for college and graduate school, regardless of whether a title is won; • Find new interests and Discover new opportunities; • Make lifelong friendships and relationships; • Learn to set goals, follow them through, and exceed your expectations; • Develop a sense of responsibility for helping others and Engage in community service; • Foster a positive, self-motivated mindset to achieve your goals; • Receive recognition for your efforts in bettering yourself and your community; • And More!

To compete for the national title, you must first register for membership in the Miss America Program. Membership gives you access to exclusive member benefits as well as the ability to compete in local competitions. If you win a local competition, you can then compete in your state competition for a chance to compete at the national Miss America or MATeen Competition —a process requiring hard work, talent and personal commitment. Along the way, you will learn valuable life and career skills and earn thousands of dollars in scholarships to help pay for your education. In doing so, you will make memories that last a lifetime!

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ELIGIBILITY MISS TEXAS

Age: Born between 1996-2006 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

MISS TEXAS' TEEN Age: Born between 2006-2010 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 full-time basis at an accredited public or private school, or home schooled in Texas Citizenship: Must be a U.S. Citizen 6 | THE LAKERS ORG

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2022-2023

YEAR IN

REVIEW 8 | THE LAKERS ORG

The Miss Southlake Scholarship Organization has been incredibly active since the 2023 Competition. Jenna Oakley, Alexandra Steele, Summer Owens, and Caylei Robertson represented Southlake at 100 in-person and virtual events. We are so thankful for their incredible service to their community!

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the reign Stye. Service. Success. Scholarship. Southlake.

Miss Southlake, Miss Westlake, Miss Southlake’s Teen, and Miss Westlake’s Teen (The Lakers) are the celebrity representatives of the Miss Southlake Scholarship Organization (MSSO) to the public.

As a member of the MSSO team, she is responsible for positively advancing the goals and objectives of MSSO as well as her own Community Service Initiative (CSI). The Lakers will work with the MSSO team to develop goals to advance her chosen CSI while serving as a role model in the SouthlakeWestlake communities.

In addition, the Lakers will serve as advocates for the Miss America Scholarship Foundation and the MSSO, raising funds to create educational opportunities for young women a reality. Locally, the titleholders support the Lone Star Scholarship Foundation and Texas Cares for Children.

As such, public speaking and performance are essential skills for our representatives. She will speak to and perform for audiences of all sizes. She is a representative of MSSO with sponsors, students, and the communities of Southlake and Westlake.

A first step to continuing her education and career, joining the Lakers is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that carries with it service above self. We look forward to welcoming you to the Sisterhood!

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community September 2023 Celebrate Southlake | Sept. 9 Miss Southlake & Miss Westlake | Sept. 16 State Fair of Texas | Sept. 29 - Oct. 22 Somos Southlake | Sept. 30

October 2023 State Fair of Texas | Sept. 29 - Oct. 22 Southlake Oktoberfest | Oct. 13 - 15 Westlake Classic Car Show | Oct. 21

November 2023 Southlake Diwali Fest | Nov. 4 Southlake Home for the Holidays | Nov. 18

December 2023 Westlake Christmas Tree Lighting | Dec. 1 Dallas Holiday Parade | Dec. 2 Grapevine Parade of Lights | Dec. 7

Opportunities in 2024 Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo | Jan. 12 - Feb.3 Southlake Spring Festival | Feb. 10 Rodeo Houston | Feb. 27 - Mar. 17 Art in the Square | April 2024 Southlake Stars & Stripes | July 3 More opportunities are forthcoming!

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PHASES OF COMPETITION

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PRIVATE INTERVIEW Comprising 30% of a delegate's score, the ten-minute interview provides insight into the delegate's ability to fulfill the responsibilities of a local titleholder. You will submit a one-page Fact Sheet and Community Service Essay that will guide the interview. It gives the judges the opportunity to learn about your unique qualities, commitment to advance your community service initiative, accomplishments beyond your fact sheet, and your personal beliefs.

ON-STAGE CONVERSATION Comprising 10% of a delegate's score, the On-Stage Conversation question is a single question asked on stage regarding the delegate's community service initiative. A delegate will have thirty seconds to respond to the question.

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EVENING GOWN Comprising 20% of a delegates score, each delegate will compete in Eveing Gown in the evening wear of her selection. This phase of competition highlights each delegate's unique sense of style while wearing an evening gown in a fashion suitable for an appearance as Miss Texas/Miss Texas' Teen.

Part of a titleholder's role is to attend galas, fundraisers, awards shows, and other formal events. This often involves walking a red carpet, posing for press photographers, modeling in fashion shows, and promoting various national fashion designers who partner with the Miss America/Miss America's Teen programs.

Note: Neither the attire itself nor the estimated cost of the wardrobe will be considered in scoring.

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TALENT OR HERSTORY Comprising 20% of a delegate's score, the 90-second talent or HERstory competition allows insight into the candidate’s preparatory and performance skills. Talent may be either (1) a performance talent or (2) a HERStory presentation. Performance talents include vocal, dance, instrumental, gymnastics, twirling, speed-painting, monologues or spoken words, etc. HERstory presentations are an opportunity for a delegate to share a 90-second story that provides insight into the delegate's background.

The talent presentation, overall performance, and technical ability and skill are taken into consideration. For information regarding approved performance talents or HERstory parameters, please reach out to DaNae Couch Lowe at DaNae@MissSouthlake.Org.

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HEALTH & FITNESS The Miss America and Miss America's Teen Organizations are partnered with the American Heart Association to promote the importance of women's heart health. Comprising 20% of a delegate's score, the Health & Fitness Competition is where the delegate showcases her commitment to these health and fitness initiatives.

Here, a delegate will model aerobic or active-wear clothing, NOT a swimsuit on stage for 20-30 seconds. Judges will consider the first impression of a dynamic presence, high energy, engaging vitality and a sense of confidence.

The Miss America Organization launched a collection with Rebel Athletic for Health & Fitness wardrobe, with a percentage benefiting the scholarship organization. Scan the QR Code to show your support!

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ENTRANCE PACKAGES EARLY BIRD

STANDARD

DELUXE

Entrance Fee

Entrance Fee

Entrance Fee Full Page Ad

$100

$150

$200

Register by August 31

WARDROBE REHEARSALS

Comfortable, Active Wear

OPENING NUMBER & ON-STAGE CONVERSATION

Black Cocktail Attire - Candidate’s Choice

Interview Attire - Candidate’s Choice

PRIVATE INTERVIEW

Costume - Candidate’s Choice

TALENT OR HERSTORY

Evening Wear - Candidate’s Choice

EVENING GOWN

Active Wear - Go Red with Rebel Athletic

HEALTH & FITNESS

AD PAGES & SUBMISSION PRICING INFORMATION

SUBMISSION DETAILS Submit to danae@misssouthlake.org

1/4 Page Ad

$25

1/2 Page Ad

$50

Attach Ad as JPG

Full Page Ad

$100

Make design requests in email body

All Ads Printed in Color

Subject: AD PAGE - Candidate Name

Deadline: September 8, 2023

Questions about Ad Pages?

Contact Bryce Couch at bcouch2019@gmail.com 18 | THE LAKERS ORG

REGISTER

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The Princess Program The Princess Program is designed to promote early involvement in the Miss America program. It is a mentoring program and gives young girls a chance to learn more about what being a local or state titleholder involves. Young ladies must be 6–12 years and cannot be older than 12 years by the date of the Miss Texas Competition in June 2024.

Why Should I Join the Miss Southlake Princess Program?

The Miss Southlake Scholarship Organization is committed to investing in the Princess Program. Our goal goes beyond simply creating a memorable experience for the girls involved. We hope to create lasting mentorship relationships that exist beyond the stage. To that end, opportunities for Princesses are year-round rather than confined to the Competition date.

On April 3, 2020, the Miss Southlake Scholarship Organization hosted a Virtual Princess Party. Twenty-five members of the Miss Texas and Miss Texas’ Outstanding Teen Classes of 2020/2021 contributed to the talent showcase.

We welcomed Payton May, the reigning Miss America’s Outstanding Teen, as well as our fabulous state queens Miss Texas Chandler Foreman and Miss Texas’ Outstanding Teen Allie Graves. The event welcomed 151 unique, participant computers, many of which were shared by multiple viewers.

We also coordinate holiday events. This includes an in-person Christmas party, virtual Easter Egg Decorating hosted via Zoom, a virtual Christmas Celebration Concert, and a Virtual Tea Time. We are also honored to welcome Princesses at the Miss Texas Competition if you choose to participate as a Lone Star Princess.

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Southlake Princess Experience The standard fee to be a Southlake Princess is $75. Additional participation packages are available and outlined below.

At the Miss Southlake Competition, Princesses will participate in planned programming with Miss Southlake Jenna Oakley, Miss Westlake Alexandra Steele, Miss Southlake's Teen Summer Owens, and Miss Westlake’s Teen Caylei Robertson.

They will also have the opportunity to be featured at the Miss Southlake Competition, and we are thrilled about getting to welcome them.

Once you have chosen your Princess, please notify us and provide us with their contact information. We will send them registration paperwork that they will need to send with their payment, and we will coordinate the competition details with them. If you need help finding a princess, please let us know. It really does make the experience fun, though, if you choose a princess with which you have a personal relationship.

Southlake Princess Registration Paperwork and Payments are due by no later than Friday, September 8, 2023. For additional information, contact danae@misssouthlake.org.

All Southlake Princesses will have the option of being your Lone Star Princess for the year and participating at the Miss Texas and Miss Texas’ Teen Competitions in June 2024. If a princess chooses to become a Lone Star Princess, she should visit the Miss Texas website for additional information. For more information on the Lone Star Princess Program, please visit http://www. misstexas.org/lone-star-princess.html.

PARTICIPATION PACKAGES STANDARD

PREMIERE

Participation Fee 1 Princess Ticket

Princess Party Participation Fee 1 Princess Ticket 1/2 Page Ad

$75

$125

Note: Parents must purchase tickets for the show.

The Princess fee covers the entry of the Princess at the Competition.

ABOVE: Miss Westlake Alexandra Steele with a Lone Star Princesses during Preliminary Evening Gown at the Miss Texas Competition in June 2023.

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