Orientation Information for the 2013 Miss Philadelphia Pageant Saturday, March 2, 2012

1. Orientation Information for the 2013 Miss Philadelphia PageantSaturday, March 2, 2012

2. Table of Contents

3. The Miss Philadelphia pageant is part of the Miss America Organization, the largest provider of scholarship assistance to women • The Miss America Organization is a not-for-profit organization that has maintained a tradition for many decades of empowering American women to achieve their personal and professional goals, while providing a forum in which to express their opinions, talent and intelligence. • The Miss America Organization is one of the nation's leading achievement programs and the world's largest provider of scholarship assistance for young women. Last year, the Miss America Organization and its state and local organizations made available more than $45 million in cash and scholarship assistance. www.missamerica.org

4. The organization focuses on both scholarship and service, with historical scholarship levels that match the state level and service that is recognized throughout the Philadelphia community Scholarship Community Service The Value of a Network • The Miss Philadelphia Organization places a high value on the educational scholarship value of the program • In years past, the Miss Philadelphia Organization has given over $15,000 to contestants, with the winner receiving ~$10,000 • While Miss Philadelphia remains busy throughout the year, school comes first and the organization is fully focused of the academic success of our contestants, both current and past • Getting involved in the community is a key pillar of the Miss Philadelphia Organization • We have accumulated dozens of sponsors over the year and have established connections with some key players in the Philadelphia area, including Mayor Nutter and others • Past Miss Philadelphias and sponsors work with Miss Philadelphia throughout the year to help her achieve her service platform goals • The Miss Philadelphia family is just that…family. We have established a very strong network of supporters and do everything to make the experience the most fun and rewarding it can be • The organization holds annual reunions of prior winners to catch up on life and collaborate on community initiatives • We continuously participate in events to increase recognition of the organization within the Philadelphia community

5. As in all Miss America local pageants, the phases of competition include interview, on-stage question, talent, lifestyle & fitness and evening gown Prior to On-Stage Competition On-Stage Competition Phases In-Person Interview (10 minutes) Talent Competition (90 seconds) On-Stage Interview Question (2 questions) • Questions focus on current events, service platform and resume: • Judges are looking to understand: • (1) Is the contestant ready, willing and able to do the job of Miss Philadelphia? • (2) What are the contestants’ core values? • (3) Does she sell / market herself for the job of Miss Philadelphia? • Assessment of Technical / Entertainment Value of Talent as well as the energy and charisma of contestant • Can the contestant speak extemporaneously / connect with the audience? • Assessment of intelligence, articulation and confidence Lifestyle and Fitness in Swimsuit Evening Gown • Assessment of physical fitness / tone as well as stage presence, confidence and energy • This is an assessment of the girl, not the gown, and judges look for poise, presence and grace as well as energy and charisma

6. Judging is done by phase of competition and a ranking of the Top 5 candidates at the completion of all phases • Top 5 Ballot • Top 5 contestant total scores are placed on a Top 5 ballot in random order • Judges are then asked to rank the candidates on who would make the best Miss Philadelphia

7. Miss Philadelphia 2013 will compete for Miss Pennsylvania in June, 2013 and potentially Miss America in January, 2014

8. In order to participate, women need to meet certain requirements and be either a resident or full-time student in one of the five Philadelphia counties Residency Requirements Other Requirements • Contestants must live or be a full-time student (proof required) in one of the five Philadelphia counties: • Bucks • Delaware • Montgomery • Chester • Philadelphia • Must be between the ages of 17 and 24 • If 17, the contestant must be a senior in High School • If 24, the contestant must not turn 25 before December 31, 2013 • Must be a U.S. Citizen • Must meet residency requirements for the pageant (see county map to the left) • Meet character criteria as set forth by the Miss America Organization • Be in reasonably good health to meet the job requirements • Be able to meet the time commitment and job responsibilities as set forth by the local program in which you compete

9. In addition, Miss America requires that each local contestant raise $100 for Children’s Miracle Network, the Miss America National Platform www.missamerica4kids.org The Miss America Organization is partnered with the Children’s Miracle Network to raise funds and awareness for children’s hospitals throughout the U.S. Each local contestant is required to raise $100 for the cause through donations and sponsorships Each contestant will have a personalized link through www.missamerica4kids.com through which sponsors can donate funds

10. The Miss Philadelphia Scholarship Organization provides not only an opportunity to represent the community while earning scholarship money but also to meet other women like you… Win Scholarship Money for School • Former Miss Philadelphias have used scholarship money to pay for undergraduate tuition, law school, medical school, business school and other professional degrees Make a Difference in the Community • Choose a platform that has meaning to you and get involved in the community: • Examples of past platforms include: • Promoting child advocacy • Raising awareness about breast cancer prevention and treat • Helping teenagers and youth cope with depression Build a Network of Women like YOU • Meet other like-minded women from the Philadelphia area • Help other women achieve their goals and allow them to help you achieve yours • Build relationships that will last a lifetime

11. Our current Miss Philadelphia, Lauren Bilski, has been featured in the press on multiple occasions Drexel Triangle Philadelphia Inquirer Brain Injury Association of PA The Philadelphia Metro Fox News Times Leader Drexel Now

12. The Miss Philadelphia Organization is truly a family that supports each other through all endeavors…

13. Interested in participating? Next Steps… Complete application form Submit application to missphiladelphiaorg@gmail.com by Thursday, December 6th, 2012 Upon application submission, wait to be contacted for your audition time slot (Auditions will be held in Philadelphia the weekend of December 16th) Feel free to inquire at missphiladelphiaorg@gmail.com with any further questions you have; we are happy to put a former Miss Philadelphia in touch with you Learn more about the organization by visiting our facebook page (Miss Philadelphia Scholarship Organization) and watching the YouTube video of the Miss Philadelphia Legacy: Miss Philadelphia Talent Legacy

14. The application form is posted on the Miss Philadelphia website and is due on Thursday, December 6th, 2012 2013 Application • The 2013 Application can be found online at www.missphilly.org • Please complete and return the form to missphladelphiaorg@gmail.com by Thursday, December 6h 2012 • Someone will contact you regarding a time for your auditions on Sunday, December 16th, 2012 at the Union League, Philadelphia • Please note that whatever talent you list on your application is the one you will be required to perform at auditions as well as at the pageant • For example, if selected as a final contestant, a dancer who auditions with a tap dance will be required to perform a tap dance the night of pageant • Songs may be changed, but the genre of talent must remain the same

15. Key Dates and Contact Information Key Dates & Timeframes Contact Information Email: missphiladelphiaorg@gmail.com Website: www.missphilly.org www.missamerica.org Miss Philadelphia Scholarship Organization Miss Philadelphia Legacy Videos