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2021 MISS ILLINOIS USA® and MISS ILLINOIS TEEN USA® StateState ContestantContestant HandbookHandbook

VANBROS AND ASSOCIATES INC. • missillinoisusa.com

Official preliminaries to the MISS USA® and MISS TEEN USA® Pageants. Independently produced by VANBROS and Associates Inc. under license by IMG Universe, LLC dba-The Miss Universe Organization. MISS UNIVERSE®, MISS USA® and MISS TEEN USA® and all variants thereof, the “Woman with Stars” Logo and the Crown Designs are all registered trademarks and copyrights of The Miss Universe Organization. Table of Contents WHAT TO DO NEXT • First step • Mark your calendar • Accommodations • Deadlines • Third party vendors • What if I win? • What to do if I decide to withdraw

GENERAL PAGEANT ETIQUETTE • Things to keep in mind

SPONSORSHIP INFORMATION • Financial requirements • Who are advertisers? • Benefits to advertisers • Tips on how to find advertisers • Advertiser payment options

WARDROBE INFORMATION • Registration • Rehearsals • Opening Number • Active Wear/Swimsuit Competition • Evening Gown Competition • Interview Competition • Other

JUDGING INFORMATION • Who are the Judges? • What are they looking for? • Judging the phases of competition • Scoring Procedures

PREPARING FOR THE PAGEANT • Active Wear/Swimsuit Competition • Evening Gown Competition • Interview Competition • Professional Assistance • Reminders MISS USA® www.missusa.com MISCELLANEOUS MATERIALS • Press Release Template (you may duplicate this form) MISS TEEN USA® • Letter for Potential Advertisers (you may duplicate this letter) www.missteenusa.com • Credit Card Payment Slips (you may duplicate this form) • Advertiser Receipt Forms (you may duplicate this form) MISS UNIVERSE® • Vendor List www.missuniverse.com

All rights reserved. This manual may not be reproduced, in part or whole by any process, without written permission from VANBROS & Associates and The Miss Universe Organization. Now that I’ve beenWhat selected to participate,to do next... what are my next steps?

I. FIRST STEP READ THIS HANDBOOK COMPLETELY! Everything you NEED to know to start preparation is included in this manual. Read it thoroughly. Pay close attention to details, forms, and especially your deadlines. Be sure to return everything before your deadline.

2. MARK YOUR CALENDAR NOW! Please continue to check our state websites for pageant updates and the latest information. ARKANSAS: May 23, 2021 • Fort Smith, AR. ILLINOIS: March 28, 2021 • Normal, IL. KANSAS: April 11, 2021 • Shawneee, KS. MISSOURI: March 6, 2021 (MISS) -March 7, 2021 (TEEN) • Shawnee, KS. NEBRASKA: February 28, 2021 • Omaha, NE. OKLAHOMA: April 18, 2021 • Midwest City, OK.

3. ACCOMMODATIONS If you decide to arrive in the host city the day before the pageant event or choose to stay the night after the final competition, Hotel information for you and your family and friends will be available on the state web site by clicking “Competition” on the homepage; and then clicking “Host City”. Any additional info will be provided in the Contestant Final Packet approximately 2-3 weeks prior to the pageant.

4. DEADLINES Each contestant has her own deadlines. Pay attention to yours only and put them on your calendar immediately. Pay by money order, check, or credit card. Checks are to be made payable to: VANBROS and Associates, Inc. Please mail all paperwork to the office. VANBROS: 15200 Santa Fe Trail Drive, Suite 201, Lenexa, KS 66219. There will be a $30.00 returned check fee. Please, no two party checks. If the checks are made to you, please write one check for that amount out of your checking account. Do not send cash through the mail! You may pay the full amount before your deadline if you wish. If you need more time to meet your deadlines, call us! We will work out an extension and/or payment plan. For your convenience, we have included a credit card form so that, if you choose, you may pay your fees with Visa, Mastercard, and Discover through our office. You may also pay online through PayPal by clicking on the “Online Payment” button on your state website. We can accept major credit cards, debit cards and checking account payments through PayPal. Never have a sponsor mail their check directly to the office; it creates confusion if it’s labeled incorrectly.

5. THIRD PARTY VENDORS Individual companies will be contracted to make the official pageant video and photos. They are NOT employed by the pageant and are not associated with VANBROS. Questions or concerns will need to be directed toward the company contracted. VANBROS will not have any record of orders. Information for packages, photos, and videos will be included in your final packet, or will be available upon registration. If you need contact information following the pageant on a particular vendor, it can be found in your program book.

VANBROS will also provide information regarding your preparation for the State Pageant. We provide this information at the request of past contestants. However, we do not endorse, nor are we responsible for, any services, training, or purchases. Please note that a contestant does not need previous pageant experience, nor is professional training required to do well in the pageant. Keylee Sue Sanders (KS), Marissa Whitley (MO), and Stevi Perry (AR) all three won the national MISS TEEN USA Pageant without any previous pageant experience prior to the state pageant they won.

6. WHAT IF I WIN? Be prepared...it could happen to YOU! If you win, your life will change forever. The most exciting year of memories and experiences will begin. You will need to stay overnight following the pageant in a hotel room provided by Vanbros and Associates. You will have your titleholder orientation, sign your appearance contracts, and take your official photos the next day. You may return home Monday afternoon..

7. WHAT DO I DO IF I DECIDE TO WITHDRAW? DEADLINES ARE SET TO ENSURE THAT YOUR FEES ARE PAID; AND, ALL YOUR PERSONAL AND SPONSOR INFORMATION IS INCLUDED IN OUR PROGRAM BOOKS AT THE TIME OF PRODUCTION. If you need an extension, we will gladly work with you. However, if deadlines are missed for any reason, without advance notification, we can no longer guarantee that your sponsor info, bio info, photos, hotel room, etc., will be reserved and/or included. NO EXCEPTIONS. Should you decide to withdraw from the competition, please notify us IMMEDIATELY! At that point, any amount of money you or your sponsor has paid will be forfeited completely and will not be refunded for any reason. Any payment you’ve made cannot be transferred to any other contestant. Financial Requirements: Each contestant is responsibleSponsorship for paying a $495 entry fee, and for selling Informationone required ad page in the program book for $800. Just think, if you find 8 advertisers to simply buy a $100 spot on your page, you will have sold the whole page. Your advertisers can be friends, family, local businesses, your place of employment etc. In addition, once you have sold your required ad page, you can sell additional ad pages. You will owe the pageant office $400 for every additional ad page you purchase but you can sell the ad page to your sponsor at whatever price you choose. Selling extra ad pages is a way to reimburse yourself for your required fees and to raise extra spending money to use on your wardrobe and/or pageant preparations. You can also find sponsors who do not care about a specific amount of ad space, and you can choose to feature all of them on your required page!

Who are Advertisers? They can be businesses, family, and friends. Some of the best advertisers are pizza parlors, pharmacies, car dealers, banks, dress shops, hairdressers, shoe stores, doctors, dentists, advertising agencies, public relations firms, shopping centers, hotels, resorts, amusement parks, modeling agencies, dance studios, fitness centers, fraternities, sororities, schools, restaurants, gas stations, radio stations, jewelry stores, real estate agents, specialty shops, insurance agencies, grocery stores, Chambers of Commerce, The Lions Club, The Jaycees, The Rotary Club, and any civic organization. That’s just the beginning…be creative!

“Advertiser” Title Option: Once an applicant becomes a contestant, she will select a title under which she will compete in the State Pageant. These titles are assigned on a first-come, first-served basis. You can choose a title based on your hometown (Springfield, Ottawa, Champagne, Chicago, Naperville), your county (Cook County, DuPage County, Sangamon County), or a ‘catch phrase’ (Land of Lincoln, Chicagoland, Fighting Illini, Wildcat Nation, etc.). The other options are the city or county in which you work or attend school. Another option is to choose a title of the name of your biggest financial advertiser, an advertiser title; such as (Valley View Bank, Ed’s Car Repair, Omaha Chilli’s Restaurant, St. Joseph Hospital, Andover McDonald’s, Baron BMW, etc.) The option of having an advertiser title may help you in obtaining all or most of your fees for the pageant!! You can literally sell a business on representing them at the state pageant by having their business name as your title. Each time you are introduced or called in the pageant they will have their name advertised since contestants compete alphabetically by title. Finally, as you come back onstage in competition “review” groups you will be wearing your competition sash, and your sash will have your title on it as well. Not only will this be seen by the live audience in the house but by all of the viewers on the live worldwide webcast!! Choosing this option will require you to submit the title agreement form, signed by the business you are going to represent. If you don’t immediately have an advertiser title, no worries! You can choose a traditional city, county or catch phrase title to begin with and if you obtain an advertiser that you would like to change your title to; just let us know and we can do that for you!! Please remember, this title is for pageant competition purposes only and is not a title you won; therefore, it is not to be used for any appearances without prior written permission of the pageant office. You may utilize your title in notifying the local media of your participation in the pageant; but, you must use the provided press release, and may not grant any actual interviews without prior written permission of the pageant office. You may also use your title to inform potential advertisers in the area you will be representing. Any misuse of the title can result in the title being revoked and your disqualification from the pageant competition. You may, with permission from the pageant office, make appearances and do interviews with your title. You will also have the option to purchase a custom sash to wear on your approved appearances and to help get advertisers to cover your required fees and more. Each contestant will be introduced at the pageant as: “Jane Doe, “Representing “(Your Title Choice)”. Having a title can be fun and very helpful. It helps the audience and press know who each contestant is representing throughout the pageant, and can be a valuable tool as you solicit sponsorship from your local communities. VANBROS reserves the right to deny any title at our sole discretion.

Benefits to Advertisers: If you feature a sponsor or business on your required ad page in the program book, they will be able to deduct their sponsorship from their advertising budget, and write it off as a tax-deduction. You should give them one of the business receipts provided in this handbook so they will have proof of purchase. For individual sponsors, you should give them an individual receipt provided in this handbook. Please note that this is NOT a charitable donation and, therefore, non-business sponsors cannot utilize a tax deduction. If you have questions regarding your sponsors, or need ideas on how to best feature them, give us a call. How to find Advertisers: Keep in mind your advertiser will not come to you. You MUST go to them! Try to stay away from peak business hours, and always ask to speak with the decision maker. Be prompt for any appointment you make. Remember to be yourself and show enthusiasm. After all, your advertiser may be talking to the next MISS TEEN USA®, MISS USA®, or even MISS UNIVERSE®. Before you set out on your adventure, read and understand all of the pageant literature that has been provided. This will help you do a better job of selling yourself, and the program. Be sure to show them a copy of the advertiser letter provided for you in this handbook, and ALWAYS be gracious. You should obtain your advertisers right away. Don’t wait for the deadlines! As you get closer to pageant time, you will want to concentrate on the fun aspects of participating in a pageant, such as selecting your wardrobe, learning more about yourself, your goals, etc. Who knows where all this might lead. Get the money raised and send it in ASAP. The sooner you send in your ad money, the sooner we can start sending you any applicable rebates. You need the extra money, not the stress! The actual agreement for advertiser support, along with the amount of money each sponsor gives, is solely between you and your advertiser. For example, it’s up to you as to whether you want to feature a business on your ad page for a $50 fee, or a $200 fee. Also, keep in mind that it’s your responsibility to make sure the proper information, and money, is turned into the office. Please note that the pageant office will not design or do the layout for your required ad page. It must be submitted ready for printing. To help you in your fund raising efforts, Vanbros has implimented fundraisers on our official website. Please ask your Contestant Coordinator about the Fundraiser currently running. The money you raise through the fundraiser goes directly towards your required fees and then any money raised over your fees is refunded back to you! Many contestants and titleholders have also created a Go Fund Me page to raise money. Visit www.gofundme.com for all the info! Remember, you can raise as much money as you want. The only limitations are those you put on yourself. It takes a little work on your part, but YOU CAN DO IT! Go into this prepared to be told “no”, but understand that every “no” puts you one person closer to a “yes”! With patience and persistence, this pageant does not have to cost you a dime. If you need encouragement...give us a call!

Additional Ads (OPTIONAL): You may have a business, family member, or friend that would also like to purchase an additional full page ad in the official program book in addition to your required ad page as a way to support you. You will owe the pageant office $400 for every additioonal full page ad you wish to purchase, but you can sell it to your sponsor at any price you choose. This is a great way to give YOU and your advertiser additional exposure during the pageant weekend and a great way for them to wish you good luck and best wishes. Your full name must be included somewhere on the ad. The ad is showing support of YOU, so the purchase of an additional ad does not make your advertiser one of the official pageant sponsors. Examples of previous contestant ad pages are provided in the contestant paperwork area online. Please note that the pageant office will not design or do the layout for any additional ads. They must be submitted ready for printing.

Deadlines & Payment of fees: Each contestant has her own deadlines. If you need more time to meet your deadlines, call us! We will work out an extension and or payment plan. Just because you are late on a deadline, we do not assume you are dropping out of the pageant. If your plans regarding the pageant (for any reason) change, you MUST notify us immediately. We accept personal and business checks, MasterCard, Visa and Discover in our office. You may also pay fees through our web site using Paypal by all forms of credit cards, debit cards and your checking account. Your sponsors can make their checks out to either you or VANBROS and Associates, Inc. Please be sure they specify which contestant they are sponsoring on their check, and don’t let them mail their check directly to the pageant office, but rather ask them to give the check to you to mail to the office. There will be a $30 returned check fee. If they wish to pay by credit card, they should fill out one of the enclosed credit card forms. ALL fees paid are non-refundable, NO EXCEPTIONS! Registration: Wardrobe Information You should plan to arrive at registration dressed in your Intervirew Attire (see below). Be sure you arrive with hair and make-up appropriately done for photographs and the Interview Competition!

Rehearsals: Clothing for rehearsals should be very casual. Aerobic wear, sweats, t-shirts, and shorts are acceptable. The important thing to keep in mind is comfort! While you will want to wear tennis shoes, or other comfortable footwear, you should bring your heels to rehearsal so you can practice in them as well. We STRONGLY suggest that you practice in your heels before the actual pageant event; blisters are a common occurrence for those who don’t.

Fashion Show Opening Introductions: Each contestant will select an outfit of their choice to wear in a runway style FASHION SHOW INTRODUCTION. Select an outfit that reflects your own personality, style and sense of fashion. You can select a dress, pants, shorts, jumpsuit/romper of any color or print with coordinating footwear and any accessories (NO FULL LENGTH GOWNS or FLOOR LENGTH TRAINS). Please make sure your outfit is in good taste! Have fun and show your personality! You may select a fashion show opening outfit that can also be worn during your interview with the judges (please refer to the interview wardrobe recommendations below).

Swimsuit Competition (Miss Contestants): Miss contestants may chose one or two-piece swimsuits. If you are unsure or have any questions regarding your swimsuit contact the office for prior approval. Any color, color combination, print, pattern or floral design is acceptable. The style is up to you, as long as it is in good taste. Look for a style that flatters your body type. Swimsuits must cover the majority of your butt. No thongs or Brazilian cut. Legs may be cut moderately high. No pantyhose, but you may use leg make-up. Padding is allowed to enhance the bust area, but don’t overdo. A natural, realistic looking figure is best. Do not oil or heavily lotion your body before swimsuit competition. This will tend to give you a shiny, heavier look. To keep your swimsuit from riding up in the back, there are products called “Firm Grip” and “It Stays.” These products can be obtained in pageant/dress stores. Shoes that have a 2 inch or higher heel lengthen the leg, and usually look better during swimsuit competition. Taupe, tan, neutral color, or clear shoes are required. Wearing bright or dark shoes for swimsuit competition will bring attention to your feet. Earrings, bracelets, and necklaces are allowed for swimsuit, use your accessories to create a high fashion, “Victoria’s Secret Runway look.”

Active Wear Competition (Teen Contestants): You will need an active style sports bra and may chose between compression pants and compression shorts. You can select any color or pattern. Reflect your personality. Customized text (your name or title) is not allowed. Wear coordinating tennis or gym shoes. (Please Note: You may have a fun walk with energy in active wear, but do not let it become distractive with too much bounce or kicking of the leg.)

Evening Gown Competition: You will need one full-length evening gown for competition. Your gown should express your own personal “sense of style.” The gown can be ornate or simple. The important thing is to pick a gown style and color that flatter YOU! The judges will be scoring you, not the gown. Teen gowns should reflect their personality with a “youthful flair.” Shoes with a 2 inch or higher heel are recommended. Most importantly, you must be able to walk comfortably in your shoes and dress. Too much jewelry is not recommended. Usually, fashion earrings are enough. In some instances, a bracelet or choker may be appropriate. In the end, pick a gown that makes you feel like a winner. Remember, you don’t have to spend a million bucks to look like a million bucks!

Interview Competition: You should choose an outfit that you find appropriate for a job interview, and that reflects your personality. The outfit should make you feel comfortable and confident. Some examples include: slacks and a sweater set, pants and a blouse, a skirt with a coordinating top, etc. The outfit can range from casual to business oriented. The most important thing is to wear something that you would normally wear. Do not choose an outfit that is too flashy, as it might be distracting. Do not choose cocktail attire. There should be no beads, sequins, etc. Select shoes and pantyhose (if worn) that compliment your outfit. Earrings, broaches, bracelets, etc., are appropriate when not overdone. Accessories should be used to only enhance your outfit. NOTE: On-stage interviews will be conducted for the top-5 finalists. All on-stage interviews will be conducted in your competition evening gown. No additional outfit is needed for on-stage interviews. Who are the judges?Judging Information Your judges will represent a diverse range of occupations. In the past, judges have been professional athletes, actors, models, casting agents, politicians, journalists, professors, former titleholders, pageant directors, doctors, lawyers, entertainers, business professionals, entrepreneurs, image consultants, counselors, fashion designers, beauty consultants, hair and make-up professionals, fitness trainers, and even stay-at-home mothers. The common bond they all share is that they are successful in their own right, and they have a good understanding of what it takes to make a good impression on others. They have a grasp on the importance of good communication skills, self-discipline, and public image. They will be people you enjoy meeting, and they will be just as nervous as you...if not more!

What are they looking for? Does she have a healthy well-maintained physique? Does she radiate natural beauty both inside and out? Does she have a warm, genuine, compassionate personality? Is she aware of the world around her, and does she have the desire to make a difference? Will she be a good representative for the state at the MISS USA or MISS TEEN USA Pageant? Is she a confident, self-assured individual who is comfortable with herself and her surroundings? Is she an intelligent and articulate young woman who can serve as a good role model for her peers? Does she want to win and why? If she does win, what will it mean to her, and ultimately to others? These are all questions the judges ask themselves about each contestant as they evaluate them during the three phases of competition. It is important to understand they are not looking for the best in one area of competition, but rather a young woman who is an overall strong candidate.

Judging the Phases of Competition:

• Active Wear/Swimsuit: During the Active Wear or Swimsuit Competition, the judges’ attention is on the contestant’s physical fitness. Does she demonstrate self-discipline and healthy habits through the proper care and maintenance of her body? They will be focused on her beauty of face and figure, tone, proportion and physical fitness. Numerical measurements are NOT considered.

• Evening Gown: During Evening Gown, the attention is again focused on her beauty of face and figure, but also on her overall appearance. They will consider her poise, confidence, the manner in which she carries herself, her sense of fashion, style and her stage presence. They will be looking for the indescribable qualities that she is able to radiate as she walks across the stage in her gown. They are scoring the contestant, not the dress!

• Interview: Some contestants consider the interview portion to be the “scary” part of the competition. However, nothing could be farther from the truth! The judges are chosen because they are personable, qualified, and eager to make you feel at ease. They want to use the interview to learn about YOU! During the private interview, they will be looking for an articulate, compassionate, and genuine individual who will make a good representative of the pageant, pageant sponsors, and state. Each interview lasts four minutes, during which they will discuss mostly items right off of your delegate profile (online). They may ask other questions regarding your education, goals, family, special training, hobbies, occupation, travel, community pride, and opinions. The interviews will be very conversational and enjoyable. During the on-stage portion of interview, they will be looking for the same qualities, in addition to how you handle yourself under the pressure of speaking in front of an audience. Remember, one question cannot win or lose the pageant, so relax during interviews.

Scoring Procedures: The Preliminary round of competition will consist of three equal phases: personal interview, active wear/swimsuit, and evening gown. The personal interview will be conducted the morning of pageant registration. The active wear/swimsuit and evening gown competitions will take place on stage during an afternoon Presentation Show. Each judge will evaluate each contestant by giving her a score of 1-10 in each phase of competition. The scores given by all five judges for each phase of competition will be added, and the semifinalists are determined based on the highest composite scores. During the Final Competition that evening, all of the contestants will be introduced and participate in the Opening Fashion Show Intros. The announcement of the semifinalists will occur shortly after the start of the show. Once the semifinalists are announced, the preliminary scores are erased, and they will re-compete in active wear/swimsuit and evening gown. Each judge will circle his or her favorite 5 contestants in these two areas of competition. The five contestants having the most “circles” will advance as the “Top 5 Finalists.” The emcee will then interview each of the 5 finalists onstage. After all 5 have answered their questions, each judge will be asked to rank them in the order they believe they should finish based on their OVERALL impression from the entire pageant event. Point values will be assessed for each ranking, and the contestant with the most points will be crowned. Ultimately, remember that all of the judging is subjective, not objective. All you can do is your personal best! Active Wear/SwimsuitPreparing Competition: for the Pageant Being a titleholder is an exciting job that also requires a high level of energy and self-motivation. An individual who maintains a healthy diet and exercise program achieves these qualities more readily. Good physical fitness reveals a lot about a person’s character, as well as their level of self-discipline, confidence, and overall health. That’s why the active wear/swimsuit competition is important. It is important to remember that it is NOT about any particular body style, shape, or frame. Rather, it is about proper diet, exercise, and maintaining good health. The goal is to make the most out of what you have. In preparing for active wear/swimsuit, you should try to eat foods lower in fat, cut down on sugars, and drink LOTS of water! The more water you drink, the less fluids you retain. You should also try to develop a regular exercise routine. The best and most important type of exercise you need for good health and fitness is cardiovascular exercise. You can run, power walk, ride a bike, swim, play sports, etc. The key is to simply stay active. Preparing for the active wear/swimsuit competition can be fun, inspiring, and good for you. During the actual swimsuit competition, you should present yourself as a confident young woman, with a natural looking hairstyle (up or down), and light/natural looking make-up. Wear enough to accent your features, but not to “create new ones!”

Evening Gown Competition: Other than selecting the “perfect” gown for yourself, the best way to prepare for evening gown competition is to make sure you are comfortable walking in the dress and heels. Once you have your dress, you should make sure that it is altered to fit you to perfection. Then, you should practice walking in the dress with your heels. Also, practice walking down steps in heels, and watch yourself in a mirror. The most important thing about evening gown is that you are comfortable so that you can simply “shine” for the judges! You should experiment with different hairstyles that flatter you and the style of your dress. Make sure that you can do your own hair, as there will not be any hair and make-up professionals allowed back stage. We want you to be self-sufficient. Make-up should again be light/natural looking make-up. With stage lighting, it is possible to get “washed out.” Therefore, it’s okay to wear more make-up than you would for an “everyday” look. Just don’t go overboard.

Interview Competition: You should approach interview competition with the goal to share your personality. This is your opportunity to let the judges know why you are the right person for this job! The best way to prepare is to “practice.” But remember, there is a difference between practicing and rehearsing. You should practice your skills, but never rehearse your answers. ALWAYS be genuine, natural, and honest with your answers. Speak from your heart. One way to practice for interview is to participate in some mock interviews. Have various people interview you about the information on your bio, as well as other questions that will help them get to know who you are as a person. Remember, you will not know the pageant judges personally, so don’t always conduct your practice interviews with your good friends. During some mock interviews, you may find it advantageous to role-play as the judge. Sometimes, it is easier to identify what someone might be looking for when you put yourself in his or her shoes. It is also a good idea to be familiar with current events. You are NOT expected to be a political scientist, a world history buff, or a walking encyclopedia. But, it is important for any responsible and concerned citizen to have a basic knowledge of events that impact their own lives. The best way to keep up on the “big news” is to watch your local news, and take an occasional look at your local paper. If you are asked about a subject you don’t know anything about, don’t panic. Just be honest and move on to the next question. As long as you remain in control, you will be just fine! Another good idea is to use this opportunity to expand your vocabulary. This can be done in fun and easy ways. Things like reading, watching movies, and utilizing a dictionary and thesaurus are great ways to increase your vocabulary. By increasing your vocabulary, you will become more articulate, and your answers will be more specific and interesting. Finally, you must always remember who you are as a person. ALWAYS be honest, and answer with true conviction. Don’t be afraid to be passionate about your beliefs. NEVER say what you think the judge may want to hear, rather say what you feel. It’s never what you say as much as how you say it. Always be real. Practice, but don’t rehearse! When you actually get to the interview, you should present yourself in a professional manner, with a simple and natural looking hairstyle, and daytime make-up. Don’t wear any more make-up than you would to the office or church.

Professional Assistance: Some contestants wish to seek professional advice or training. There are people who specialize in fitness training, interview skills, wardrobe consulting, and overall pageant preparations. If you wish to speak with a professional, that is your choice, and you can check the vendor list at the back of your handbook for a few names. But, please don’t feel as though you must seek professional consultations. MANY young women have entered and won our pageants with absolutely NO professional assistance. Preparing for the pageant should be FUN, and can be done on your own. The professionals are simply there if you feel you need them. Please make note that hair and make-up professionals will NOT be allowed back stage unless they signed up with the pageant office to provide the OPTIONAL Hair and Make Up services to contestants prior to both competition shows. You should prepare to do your own hair and make-up for competition unless you sign up and pay for the OPTIONAL Hair and Make-Up service. The most important thing to us is that YOU have a positive experience, and that you feel as though you’re a better person for having participated in the pageant! Therefore, if you, or your parents have any questions regarding your preparations, specific professionals or just need some extra encouragement...don’t hesitate to call us.

General Reminders: • Take everything you need for on-stage competitionReminders with you to the theater on the day of preliminary competition. You should label everything so that you won’t get your stuff mixed up with someone else’s!

• You should prepare to do your own hair & make-up for competition unless you purchase the OPTIONAL Hair & Make-Up package. No Hair and Make-Up Artist will be allowed back stage unless they are approved by the pageant office. The HMU Artist Application is located on the state web site and the Contestant HMU Application is located in your official paperwork area.

• Remember that all rehearsals are closed. No family or friends will be allowed in the theater during rehearsals. This is to keep everyone focused on the task at hand, and to assure the best learning environment and show.

• No video cameras will be allowed during either the preliminary or final shows. There will be a professional videographer present to tape the shows and he will offer them for sale. He is an independent businessman, and not affiliated with the pageant. ANY and ALL questions regarding the video order, delivery time, etc., should be directed to the video company. They will have an ad in the program book, so you will always have access to their phone number! The pageant buys its video just like you do, so we can’t answer your questions.

• Family and friends may take pictures throughout the weekend. However, any pictures they take during the shows must be taken from their seats and without a flash. They may NOT get into the aisle, etc., in order to take pictures. There will be a professional photographer that will follow the contestants during the peagent event, and will have a premium location during the shows to photograph you during the stage portions of the competition. The photographer will supply an order form for ordering your photos. Following the pageant, a link to purchase pageant photos will be located on the state web site. Contact info for the photographer will also be available in the program book.

• Each contestant will receive one complimentary program book. If you have extra sponsor money left over, you may want to buy extra books for your biggest sponsors. If not, at least write them a nice thank you note after the pageant. You never know, you might want their support again next year! Be appreciative to those who helped you through this journey.

• You will be given an official pageant banner during pageant weekend, and will be instructed as to when you will need to wear it. PLEASE keep track of your banner at all times!

• It is important to always keep a positive attitude; it makes a world of difference. While on stage, stay in the moment and don’t stress out about the next phase of competition or cut. Enjoy EACH moment as it comes! Most of all, remember that God will never give you more than you can handle. You can do this! Relax, have fun, and GO FOR IT! Finally, “You’re a TIGER, and YOU can WHIP THE WORLD! (Jennifer will explain this at the pageant!)

Packing Suggestions: • Bring a “Pageant Emergency Kit.” This would include prescription medications, Tylenol, Advil, Band-Aids, extra pair of contacts, safety pins, needle and thread, double stick tape, swimsuit adhesive, and any other personal items needed.

• If you have special nutritional needs, or you think you will want something to munch on between meals, bring your favorite snack food, etc. Many contestants opt to bring their favorite snacks.

• Bring all of the necessities. Remember your hair accessories, make-up, toiletries, a large plastic box, tote bag or rolling suitcase to carry competition items and make-up, etc.

• Don’t leave without your wardrobe! Rehearsal clothes, competition wardrobe: (swimsuit, gown, interview outfit, opening number outfit), jewelry, shoes, and undergarments. You may also want to bring a jacket or sweatshirt to wear during rehearsals, as the pageant venue can get cool. A schedule of events will be enclosed in the Final Packet.

• Most importantly...bring yourself! If there are any extenuating circumstances to conflict with any of the pageant events, call us and we will arrange a late arrival time for you. Hold on, and get ready for the experience of a lifetime! VANBROS and Associates Inc.

15200 Santa Fe Trail Drive • Suite 201 • Lenexa, KS 66219 • 913.381.7121 • fax: 913.381.7120 www.vanbros.com missarkansasusa.com • missillinoisusa.com • misskansasusa.com missmissouriusa.com • missnebraskausa.com • missoklahomausa.com

For Immediate Publication LOCAL WOMAN TO COMPETE P IN MISS USA®/MISS TEEN USA® STATE PAGEANT

______from ______, R Contestant’s Name Contestant’s Hometown

daughter of ______has been selected E Parents’ Names to participate in the 2021 MISS ______USA /TEEN USA Pageant. The pageant will Contestant’s State

S take place ______in ______. She will be Date of Pageant City Hosting Pageant

competing as ______and will compete in active S Contestant’s Title wear or swimsuit, evening gown, and personal interview. The pageant has two age divisions, and the

winners will represent our state in the 2021 MISS USA® and MISS TEEN USA® Pageant. MISS USA R goes on to compete in the MISS UNIVERSE® Pageant. The MISS USA Pageant system stresses good morals, physical fitness, communication skills, social awareness and community involvement.

E Interesting facts about ______are______Contestant’s First Name Facts About Contestant L ______E ______She is being sponsored by ______A Contestant’s Sponsors ______

S ______

For more information about ______, you may contact her at ______. E Contestant’s First Name Contestant’s Phone Number (Complete form, duplicate and submit to your local newspapers, DO NOT send to pageant office.)

MISS ARKANSAS USA® • MISS ARKANSAS TEEN USA® • MISS ILLINOIS USA® • MISS ILLINOIS TEEN USA® • MISS KANSAS USA® • MISS KANSAS TEEN USA® MISS MISSOURI USA® MISS MISSOURI TEEN USA® • MISS NEBRASKA USA® • MISS NEBRASKA TEEN USA® • MISS OKLAHOMA USA® • MISS OKLAHOMA TEEN USA® Independently conducted and produced by VANBROS and Associates Inc. under license by IMG Universe, LLC dba-The Miss Universe Organization. VANBROS and Associates Inc.

To Whom It May Concern, The young lady presenting this to you is a member of a select group. She has been chosen from among many qualified young women throughout the state to take part in an event which selects our state’s representatives to the MISS USA® and MISS TEEN USA® Pageants. If our state winner should happen to win MISS USA, she would then compete in the MISS UNIVERSE® Pageant. MISS USA, and MISS UNIVERSE are scheduled to be televised live on FOX. The MISS USA and MISS TEEN USA Pageant system encourages our contestants to become self-disciplined and healthier individuals through good physical fitness, proper diet, and exercise. It also stresses the importance of social awareness and community involvement. Of course, paramount to everything else is the opportunity for these women to develop and nurture better communication skills that will benefit and enrich them in all aspects of their lives. Through their preparations for, and participation in this event, they become better, stronger, and more self-assured individuals. The pageant experience will prepare them to be more successful in all of their future endeavors. Each delegate needs to raise $1,295 in total fees which includes a full page advertisment in the official pageant program book. In addition, she will need to purchase a competition wardrobe, and may incur other expenses during her preparation for the pageant. You are being asked to help this dynamic young woman by becoming an advertiser and providing all, or part, of the money she needs to raise. As an advertiser, you will play an integral part in helping this young woman on her journey of self-improvement and social awareness. This is a chance to give back to your community by assisting this young woman in the pursuit of her dreams! Your advertisement money helps pay for: • The contestant’s entire expenses during the pageant event. That includes, but is not limited to meals, theater, etc. • The Pageant Production. Our state pageant is truly one of the most prestigious state pageants in the country. It is a theater production with fabulous sets, contemporary music, production numbers, a producer and choreographer. • Program Book Printing. Each contestant will be featured in the program book where she can also acknowledge her sponsors. The state pageant program book is a distinguished publication, which is professionally designed and printed. The book serves as a wonderful souvenir for the contestant, and great advertising for her sponsors. • Administration, Operations. The pageant is a year round venture. We constantly search for the best contestants, while managing and promoting the winners during their reign. Administrative and operational costs include office space, supplies, phones, postage, staff, web-site management etc. • Management Services for Winners. Services provided to the winners include, but are not limited to, an all expense paid two and a half week trip to compete in the national MISS USA or MISS TEEN USA Pageant, managing and booking of appearances throughout the state, autograph pictures, a national competition wardrobe, training for the national pageant, and assistance in career advancement.

As an advertiser, you will be featured on your contestant’s required ad page in the program book. Thus, if you are a business, your donation could come from your advertising budget, and be utilized as a business tax-deduction. However, you cannot claim your advertisement as a charitable contribution. This is an incredibly exciting opportunity for this young woman! PLEASE consider that her participation may only be possible with your help. You might just be supporting the next MISS TEEN USA, MISS USA, or even MISS UNIVERSE! But, regardless of the pageant outcome, your advertisement will help her to gain an opportunity that has the potential to open a multitude of doors. It can further career ambitions, increase her social contributions, and promote personal growth. During the next few weeks, as she prepares for the state pageant, she will be very busy. Assisting her with early support will ease her mind and be greatly appreciated. Please note that the amount you decide to provide, and the information for the program book, are solely between you and the contestant. Become a part of this win-win opportunity! Please make your check payable to VANBROS or the contestant and give the check directly to your contestant. Visa and Master Card are also accepted. The contestants have been given credit card payment forms and receipts that you can use as proof of purchase. Thank you for your time and consideration!

Sincerely, John M. Vannatta, Jr. Executive Director

Name of Contestant:______Please print name

State:______Date:______

Advertiser:______Please print name exactly as it appears on credit card

Advertiser Address:______

Advertiser Phone:______

Credit Card Type: ______MasterCard ______Visa ______Discover Amount: $ ______

Card Number: ______Exp. Date: ______CVV/CVC #: ______

Signature of Cardholder:______

Charges will appear under VANBROS and Associates (All Fees are non-refundable) This is NOT tax-deductible as a charitable donation but may be used as an advertising expense for tax purposes.

ADVERTISER CREDIT CARD PAYMENT FORM

Name of Contestant:______Please print name

State:______Date:______

Advertiser:______Please print name exactly as it appears on credit card

Advertiser Address:______

Advertiser Phone:______

Credit Card Type: ______MasterCard ______Visa ______Discover Amount: $ ______

Card Number: ______Exp. Date: ______CVV/CVC #: ______

Signature of Cardholder:______Charges will appear under VANBROS and Associates (All Fees are non-refundable) This is NOT tax-deductible as a charitable donation but may be used as an advertising expense for tax purposes. BUSINESS ADVERTISER RECEIPT

This is to acknowledge receipt of $______from ______Amount of Sponsorship Name of Business for ______who is competing in the MISS ______USA / TEEN USA Pageant Name of Contestant Name of State Pageant he official state preliminary to the national MISS USA® and MISS TEEN USA® Pageants.

The state pageant will be held ______Date of State Pageant

In exchange for sponsorship, I (the contestant) will feature the advertiser on an ad page in the Official Pageant Program Book. I (the contestant) am solely responsible for providing all information to the Pageant Office needed for publication.

Signature of Contestant ______Date ______

Tax Information: This is tax-deductible as a business advertising expense.

INDIVIDUAL ADVERTISER RECEIPT

This is to acknowledge receipt of $______from ______Amount of Sponsorship Name of Individual for ______who is competing in the MISS ______USA / TEEN USA Pageant Name of Contestant Name of State Pageant he official state preliminary to the national MISS USA® and MISS TEEN USA® Pageants.

The state pageant will be held ______Date of State Pageant

In exchange for sponsorship, I (the contestant) will feature the individual on an ad page in the Official Pageant Program Book. I (the contestant) am solely responsible for providing all information to the Pageant Office needed for publication.

Signature of Contestant ______Date ______

Tax Information: This is tax-deductible as a business advertising expense. Notice to Contestants: Vendor List Dedicated individuals can prepare for this pageant without the services of professional vendors, and be very successful. Nevertheless, each year we receive calls from contestants wanting to know where to look for a gown, who they can talk to about interview, modeling, hair and makeup and who is a good photographer. The following list shows companies and individuals who support or sponsor our state pageants. As thanks for their generosity to the pageant, we are pleased to provide you with their names and services. Additional sponsors can be found on your state web site under “Competition”. Good Luck as you prepare!

Dr. Ross S. Headley (General and Cosmetic Dentistry) Will Patterson (photography) 12850 Metcalf Ave. Ste. 200 816-914-6384 Overland Park, KS 66213 www.willpattersonphotography.com 913-491-6874 www.kcsmile.com Melissa Cosper (photography) www.melissacosper.com Joann’s Prom and Pageant (national wardrobe sponsor: AR) 212 S 1st St Attebery’s Personal Training (Fitness) Union City, TN Brian Attebery ACSM Certified (owner) 731-885-8044 Results Fitness www.joannspromandpageantgowns.com 1425 S. Santa Fe, Suite H Edmond, OK 73003 Bridal Elegance (national wardrobe sponsor: IL, KS, MO) 405-285-2646 205 West Etna Road www.resultsfitnessusa.com Ottawa, IL 61350 815-433-3050 Stefanie Somers Collection (official competition jewelry) www.bridalelegance.us.com Stefanie Somers (owner, designer) 1-800-400-4312 Henri’s Cloud 9 (national wardrobe sponsore: NE) www.stefaniesomers.com 8597 Sancus Blvd at Polaris Columbus, OH 43240 Eye for Design (Hair Extensions) 800-952-3560 513-445-4112 www.henris.com www.eyefordesignhair.com

Serendipity (national wardrobe sponsor: OK) Ashley Reneé Make UP XOXO (Make-Up) 8146 S Lewis Suite A Ashley Reneé Tribble (owner) Tulsa, Oklahoma 74137 [email protected] 918-995-2771 www.serendipityprom.com Emerie Jones Artistry (make-up) @emeriejonesartistry Zac Grimaldo Photography [email protected] Zac Grimaldo (owner) 214-274-3435 Lora Devine (make-up) 816-668-6061 Daniel Duverney Fashion Photography www.devinestudios.com Daniel Duverney (owner) 773-252-6639 Nicole West (make-up) www.pageantfashionphotography.com 214-903-9300 [email protected] Pageant Photography Event Photographer (IL) 877-288-4118 www.pageantphotography.com

Devine Studios (photography) 816-668-6061 www.devinestudios.com