You have questions? We have answers!
For some, entering the world of pageantry can be an overwhelming experience. Below are frequently asked questions about what we do and our expectations of contestants and titleholders.
1. Is this like "Honey Boo Boo" or "Toddlers and Tiaras?"
NO. While like Honey Boo Boo and Toddlers and Tiaras, we are a competition but we do not emphasize on "glitz." We are a natural, service based pageant organization. Areas of competition include interview, on-stage presence, and on stage verbal communication for Little, Junior, Teen, and Miss, while for Baby, Toddler, and Tiny the competition includes on-stage presence and personality.
Scoring for our preliminary is as followed:
Baby-Tiny
Walk/Poise (20%)
Gown (20%)
Beauty (20%)
Personality (20%)
Little-Miss
Interview (40%)
Stage (40%)
Question (20%)
Our goal is to crown young women who are bright, sophisticated, and well-spoken, yet are very approachable and can network with various different crowds. We believe in fostering success.
Young women who have been pregnant, have given birth, or have ever been married are not eligible for the competition.
Scores can be mailed to you after the pageant. Please bring a self-addressed stamped envelope.
2. Do I have to live in Northwest Florida to participate and what are the prelims?
YES. All contestants must either reside or attend an accredited school in Northwest Florida.
River Republic Production, LLC currently produces the following Miss Northwest Florida Preliminary Pageants:
3. But, I live on the University of Florida campus in Gainesville, Florida, but my home is Panama City. Can I still participate? (This is really a Miss question)
YES. If your primary residence is in NWFL (it is still on your driver's license), but you attend school elsewhere you are eligible to participate. We understand that young women often will attend colleges or universities` outside their primary residence. But, understand that should you win a preliminary title you will have to compete at Miss Northwest Florida in November and be required to attend orientation and practice. Please schedule accordingly. Should you falsify your residence you will be required to relinquish your title and will no longer be allowed to participate in the system.
Also, should you win the title of Miss Northwest Florida you will be expected to make a lot of appearances promoting the Miss Northwest Florida Pageant organization. Being a titleholder is all about balance and being able to successfully represent our area, all the while maintaining a successful personal life.
4. Will this cost me a lot of money?
YES and NO. As with other hobbies and activities, Miss Northwest Florida will only cost as much as you put in to it. However, you will get what you pay for. If you choose to use short cuts for hair, make-up, and attire for competition it will show. For example, please do not rely on your cousin's girlfriend's best friend to do your hair for free and she has never styled hair before. We advise that you consult professionals for hair and make-up. That does not mean you have to hire someone for the pageant. If you wish to learn how to do hair and make up, it would be best to get help from those who are professionals or have been part of the NWFL pageant circuit for a number of years. We have a list of coaches, hair and make up professionals, and photographers that we know and trust that are affordable. Looking for an affordable dress or interview suit? We have an amazing network of pageant contestants, pageant moms, and pageant systems that have dresses and suits for sale or rent. If you do not wish to invest in a brand new dress or suit, we can connect you with individuals who have dresses for sale or rent. Preliminary directors will work with titleholders to help make competition cost effective and budget friendly.
Should you win a Miss Northwest Florida Preliminary you will be responsible for the following:
5. How do I get sponsors for my ad?
It is important for titleholders to remember that when approaching businesses for a sponsorship that it is best to approach those businesses that you ACTUALLY do business with. Please do not approach random businesses that you or your family have never done business with asking for a sponsorship. The purpose of the ad page is to not only showcase the titleholder, but to promote local businesses. It is recommended that when addressing businesses about a potential sponsorship, to have a letter prepared outlining the purpose of the sponsorship. A sponsorship letter will be provided to titleholders that must contain the state registration number for Miss Northwest Florida. This number must be provided to potential sponsors. Please dress you best and act professionally when discussing a sponsorship with businesses. Businesses do not have to pay the who $250 per page.
Example:
Jane Doe's Boutique- $25
John Doe's Flower Shop- $25
Millie Doe's Hair Shack- $25
Doe County Commissioner Jake Doe- $25
Doe, Doe, and Doe Attorneys at Law: $100
Friends and Family: $50
Total: $250
Many titleholders in the past have simply asked friends and family to sponsor. If you ask your friends and family to sponsor you, you would be surprised how quickly $5-$10 adds up to $250.
6. When are fees due?
All above mentioned fees are due by orientation which is held in August of each year. If your fees are not paid, you will not be able to participate in Miss Northwest Florida and will be required to relinquish your title. It is recommended that you start collecting potential sponsorships the moment that you a crowned a local title holder.
NOTE: The ad page itself is typically due a few weeks later, but it is recommended to get it in as soon as possible to Esteban. You will be given his information during the year as a titleholder.
7. Head shot? Tell me more?
As a titleholder advancing to Miss Northwest Florida, your head shot will appear in the Miss Northwest Florida program. All contestants will use the same photographer (Captured Moments Photography) the day of orientation and have their head shots made for photogenic. These head shots can also be used for your program ad. You may use any photo for your program ad, but the head shots taken at orientation will be used in the contestant section of the program and used to judge photogenic. Should you wish to have professional head shots made you may do so during your reign as a preliminary queen.
8. Hey! I have this great prom dress I want to wear?
NOOOOOOO! Remember this rule of thumb, "A pageant dress can be a prom dress, but a prom dress can never be a pageant dress." Pageant dresses are designed differently than a prom dress. Pageant dresses are designed specifically with cuts that allow the contestants to move with ease on stage and stones that reflect the stage lights. If you have a question about a particular dress, please consult your director.
9. I don't like to wear make up. Do I have to wear make up on stage?
It is recommended that make up be worn on stage as for lighting purposes. Stage/pageant make up is applied not only to enhance your
facial features, but it prevents you from looking washed out.
10. Do I have mandatory appearances?
As a local title holder, you have only a few required appearances:
There will be many appearance opportunities for local title holders. It is recommended that title holders take advantage of each appearance opportunity as possible. Networking and building relationships with your local communities will provide you with life long skills that will help you in life. Some of the appearances we have made are:
IMPORTANT!
As a title holder, you will be expected to dress appropriately and look your best at any and all appearances that you make. Should you not look the part of a representative of your community, people will react. Remember, your photos will be taken on a regular basis and posted to social media.
11. I was a former title-holder and I did not full fill my commitment to attend Miss Northwest Florida in a previous year. Can I still complete?
Per rules and regulations set forth by the executive director and Board of Miss Northwest Florida, if a contestant does not full-fill their commitment to compete at Miss Northwest Florida, they risk not being allowed back to compete in the system. However, we understand that often there are unforeseen circumstances that may not allow for a title holder to compete at Miss Northwest Florida. If you you did not full-fill your commitment with Miss Northwest Florida during a previous year, you will be given the opportunity to approach the Board of Miss Northwest Florida for approval to compete in preliminaries to advance to Miss Northwest Florida.
Requirements
1. A formal letter requesting to appear before the Board of Miss Northwest Florida must be submitted by January 3 of each calendar year.
2. One must meet with the Board of Miss Northwest Florida on an appointed date and time to discuss circumstances from the previous year.
3. An official letter from the board of Miss Northwest Florida accepting or denying request for participation will be sent to the individual. Should an individual be approved to compete, a contract will be attached with the official letter and must be signed, notarized, and sent back to the Board of Miss Northwest Florida within 15 days.
4. Failure to do any of the following will be considered a forfeit and the contestant must reapply the following year.
5. Should an individual not full fill her commitment to Miss Northwest Florida after approval, the individual will no longer be allowed to participate in the system.
12. If I win a preliminary title, can I compete in other pageants?
You may compete in other pageants as a preliminary queens as long as it is not a Miss Northwest Florida Preliminary Pageant. However, if you are crowned Miss Northwest Florida you will be required to sign a contract with no-compete clause which means you will not be able to compete or hold another title until you complete your reign as Miss Northwest Florida.
13. Is this fun?
ABSOLUTELY!!
1. Is this like "Honey Boo Boo" or "Toddlers and Tiaras?"
NO. While like Honey Boo Boo and Toddlers and Tiaras, we are a competition but we do not emphasize on "glitz." We are a natural, service based pageant organization. Areas of competition include interview, on-stage presence, and on stage verbal communication for Little, Junior, Teen, and Miss, while for Baby, Toddler, and Tiny the competition includes on-stage presence and personality.
Scoring for our preliminary is as followed:
Baby-Tiny
Walk/Poise (20%)
Gown (20%)
Beauty (20%)
Personality (20%)
Little-Miss
Interview (40%)
Stage (40%)
Question (20%)
Our goal is to crown young women who are bright, sophisticated, and well-spoken, yet are very approachable and can network with various different crowds. We believe in fostering success.
Young women who have been pregnant, have given birth, or have ever been married are not eligible for the competition.
Scores can be mailed to you after the pageant. Please bring a self-addressed stamped envelope.
2. Do I have to live in Northwest Florida to participate and what are the prelims?
YES. All contestants must either reside or attend an accredited school in Northwest Florida.
River Republic Production, LLC currently produces the following Miss Northwest Florida Preliminary Pageants:
- Miss Blountstown
- Miss Calhoun County
- Miss Forgotten Coast
- Miss Gulf County
- Miss Liberty County
- Miss River City
- Miss River Republic
3. But, I live on the University of Florida campus in Gainesville, Florida, but my home is Panama City. Can I still participate? (This is really a Miss question)
YES. If your primary residence is in NWFL (it is still on your driver's license), but you attend school elsewhere you are eligible to participate. We understand that young women often will attend colleges or universities` outside their primary residence. But, understand that should you win a preliminary title you will have to compete at Miss Northwest Florida in November and be required to attend orientation and practice. Please schedule accordingly. Should you falsify your residence you will be required to relinquish your title and will no longer be allowed to participate in the system.
Also, should you win the title of Miss Northwest Florida you will be expected to make a lot of appearances promoting the Miss Northwest Florida Pageant organization. Being a titleholder is all about balance and being able to successfully represent our area, all the while maintaining a successful personal life.
4. Will this cost me a lot of money?
YES and NO. As with other hobbies and activities, Miss Northwest Florida will only cost as much as you put in to it. However, you will get what you pay for. If you choose to use short cuts for hair, make-up, and attire for competition it will show. For example, please do not rely on your cousin's girlfriend's best friend to do your hair for free and she has never styled hair before. We advise that you consult professionals for hair and make-up. That does not mean you have to hire someone for the pageant. If you wish to learn how to do hair and make up, it would be best to get help from those who are professionals or have been part of the NWFL pageant circuit for a number of years. We have a list of coaches, hair and make up professionals, and photographers that we know and trust that are affordable. Looking for an affordable dress or interview suit? We have an amazing network of pageant contestants, pageant moms, and pageant systems that have dresses and suits for sale or rent. If you do not wish to invest in a brand new dress or suit, we can connect you with individuals who have dresses for sale or rent. Preliminary directors will work with titleholders to help make competition cost effective and budget friendly.
Should you win a Miss Northwest Florida Preliminary you will be responsible for the following:
- $100 entry fee payable to Miss Northwest Florida
- $250 full page ad fee payable to Miss Northwest Florida
- Hotel accommodations (there typically is a discounted rate for pageant contestants the weekend of competition)
- $80 ad design fee by Esteban (this is subject to change but typically is around this price)
- $50 head shot fee by Captured Moments photography (fee is subject to change but is typically around this price)
- Opening number wardrobe
- Head shot wardrobe
5. How do I get sponsors for my ad?
It is important for titleholders to remember that when approaching businesses for a sponsorship that it is best to approach those businesses that you ACTUALLY do business with. Please do not approach random businesses that you or your family have never done business with asking for a sponsorship. The purpose of the ad page is to not only showcase the titleholder, but to promote local businesses. It is recommended that when addressing businesses about a potential sponsorship, to have a letter prepared outlining the purpose of the sponsorship. A sponsorship letter will be provided to titleholders that must contain the state registration number for Miss Northwest Florida. This number must be provided to potential sponsors. Please dress you best and act professionally when discussing a sponsorship with businesses. Businesses do not have to pay the who $250 per page.
Example:
Jane Doe's Boutique- $25
John Doe's Flower Shop- $25
Millie Doe's Hair Shack- $25
Doe County Commissioner Jake Doe- $25
Doe, Doe, and Doe Attorneys at Law: $100
Friends and Family: $50
Total: $250
Many titleholders in the past have simply asked friends and family to sponsor. If you ask your friends and family to sponsor you, you would be surprised how quickly $5-$10 adds up to $250.
6. When are fees due?
All above mentioned fees are due by orientation which is held in August of each year. If your fees are not paid, you will not be able to participate in Miss Northwest Florida and will be required to relinquish your title. It is recommended that you start collecting potential sponsorships the moment that you a crowned a local title holder.
NOTE: The ad page itself is typically due a few weeks later, but it is recommended to get it in as soon as possible to Esteban. You will be given his information during the year as a titleholder.
7. Head shot? Tell me more?
As a titleholder advancing to Miss Northwest Florida, your head shot will appear in the Miss Northwest Florida program. All contestants will use the same photographer (Captured Moments Photography) the day of orientation and have their head shots made for photogenic. These head shots can also be used for your program ad. You may use any photo for your program ad, but the head shots taken at orientation will be used in the contestant section of the program and used to judge photogenic. Should you wish to have professional head shots made you may do so during your reign as a preliminary queen.
8. Hey! I have this great prom dress I want to wear?
NOOOOOOO! Remember this rule of thumb, "A pageant dress can be a prom dress, but a prom dress can never be a pageant dress." Pageant dresses are designed differently than a prom dress. Pageant dresses are designed specifically with cuts that allow the contestants to move with ease on stage and stones that reflect the stage lights. If you have a question about a particular dress, please consult your director.
9. I don't like to wear make up. Do I have to wear make up on stage?
It is recommended that make up be worn on stage as for lighting purposes. Stage/pageant make up is applied not only to enhance your
facial features, but it prevents you from looking washed out.
10. Do I have mandatory appearances?
As a local title holder, you have only a few required appearances:
- 1 service day at the Ronald McDonald House
- Orientation
- Practice (1 day)
- Miss Northwest Florida Pageant
There will be many appearance opportunities for local title holders. It is recommended that title holders take advantage of each appearance opportunity as possible. Networking and building relationships with your local communities will provide you with life long skills that will help you in life. Some of the appearances we have made are:
- Little Black Dress Night
- Memorial Day Service
- Catfish Crawl
- Rotary Club Meetings
- City Council Meetings
- County Commissioner Meetings
- School Board Meetings
- Bass Pro Shop Big Cat Quest
- Queens at the Capitol
- Chipola River Clean Up
- Salt Air Market
- River Trek Meet and Greet
- MANY...MANY...MORE....
IMPORTANT!
As a title holder, you will be expected to dress appropriately and look your best at any and all appearances that you make. Should you not look the part of a representative of your community, people will react. Remember, your photos will be taken on a regular basis and posted to social media.
11. I was a former title-holder and I did not full fill my commitment to attend Miss Northwest Florida in a previous year. Can I still complete?
Per rules and regulations set forth by the executive director and Board of Miss Northwest Florida, if a contestant does not full-fill their commitment to compete at Miss Northwest Florida, they risk not being allowed back to compete in the system. However, we understand that often there are unforeseen circumstances that may not allow for a title holder to compete at Miss Northwest Florida. If you you did not full-fill your commitment with Miss Northwest Florida during a previous year, you will be given the opportunity to approach the Board of Miss Northwest Florida for approval to compete in preliminaries to advance to Miss Northwest Florida.
Requirements
1. A formal letter requesting to appear before the Board of Miss Northwest Florida must be submitted by January 3 of each calendar year.
2. One must meet with the Board of Miss Northwest Florida on an appointed date and time to discuss circumstances from the previous year.
3. An official letter from the board of Miss Northwest Florida accepting or denying request for participation will be sent to the individual. Should an individual be approved to compete, a contract will be attached with the official letter and must be signed, notarized, and sent back to the Board of Miss Northwest Florida within 15 days.
4. Failure to do any of the following will be considered a forfeit and the contestant must reapply the following year.
5. Should an individual not full fill her commitment to Miss Northwest Florida after approval, the individual will no longer be allowed to participate in the system.
12. If I win a preliminary title, can I compete in other pageants?
You may compete in other pageants as a preliminary queens as long as it is not a Miss Northwest Florida Preliminary Pageant. However, if you are crowned Miss Northwest Florida you will be required to sign a contract with no-compete clause which means you will not be able to compete or hold another title until you complete your reign as Miss Northwest Florida.
13. Is this fun?
ABSOLUTELY!!