There are so many elements to putting on a pageant that happen behind-the-scenes, from recruiting contestants to raising scholarship dollars. But the most public part of your pageant—and the element that people remember most—is the show that you put on for the community. Producing is no easy pageant, as many volunteers can attest to. And while we can’t tell you exactly what to do for your pageant, we can provide you with a simple to follow guide that outlines all the elements of a good pageant and a good producer. 

By achieving 501c3 status, you can change the way your pageant operates and makes money. Here is a step-by-step guide to applying for 501c3 status, with input with Miss New Hampshire Executive Director Brenda Keith. 

The Miss America and Miss America’s Outstanding Teen organizations awarded $7,000 and $5,000 respectively, in preliminary competition scholarships in 2013. Contestants performed their talents, showcased their health and fitness, and proved their poise and stateliness. And for their representation of each phase of competition, judges’ panels scored young women who now carry on in their academic studies with the promise of funding. But performances in Atlantic City and Orlando were far from improvised, and those contestants who were awarded are willing to share their secrets for preliminary scholarship success.

Miss America’s Outstanding Teen, Inc. has a new addition– Jessica Schueler, Director of Communications. In her new role, Jessica will be responsible for the company’s communications, publicity and sponsorships and will also launch a quest to increase the amount of in-kind scholarships offered by colleges and universities on the national and state levels.

She comes to the organization with a rich history and knowledge of MAOTeen. Jessica was selected as the first Miss West Virginia’s Outstanding Teen in 2004. During her year of service she promoted her platform SADD (Students Against Destructive Decisions) throughout West Virginia and traveled to Missouri, North Carolina, and Florida representing the Miss America’s Outstanding Teen and Miss America Organization. Jessica also developed the Mentor Princess Program in West Virginia and raised more than $5,000 in scholarship money for the Miss West Virginia Scholarship Organization.

Jessica is a 2009 graduate of Concord University with a Bachelor of Arts in Communications and Public Relations. Upon graduation, Jessica interned with MAOTeen and shortly after accepted a position at her alma mater as an admissions counselor. During her time at Concord she traveled to Maryland, Washington, D.C., Delaware, Ohio, Florida, New Jersey, Virginia, and West Virginia recruiting for the university and promoting their scholarship programs.

Jessica has attended more than 150 college fairs and reached more than 10,000 students, as well as presented to her colleagues at the WV Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers (WVACRAO) Conference in Snowshoe, West Virginia. She coordinated the university’s top scholarship program, “Scholars of Distinction,” and co-coordinated the Concord University Student Ambassador Program. As a recruiter for Concord, Jessica attended the National Small College Enrollment Conference annually and participated in other professional development opportunities each year.

Source: MAOTeen

You guys, I cannot BELIEVE it is Thursday already! Time is just FLYING by and it's not because of the time difference. Well, not entirely because of the time difference.

The show last night was a blast! It was way more high energy than Tuesday night and I really enjoyed it! If you follow my Tweets (and really, you should!), you will know that there are a LOT of dancers this year! I think there are more dancers than I have ever seen before, which is great. I wonder, though, if the contestants get super nervous becase dance fiend Mark Ballas is a judge? That would definitely make me nervous, but I just enjoy watching Mark Ballas judge. He gets really into the music and performances.

This morning I had the pleasure of attening a press conference featuring: the Quality of Life finalists, the winner of our fourpoints scholarship award, and a whole slew of former Miss Americas.

Miss Kentucky Ann-Blair Thornton won the Quality of Life Award and gave a very moving speech about her platform and the experience of losing a loved one to Alzheimer's.

I also got the chance to talk one-on-one with Miss Idaho Genevive Nutting, our fourpoints scholarship winner. She is such a lovely young lady and you can learn more about her in the next issue of fourpoints. Her mother also stopped to talk for a minute and was so nice, so excited. It's moments like that, that really make it all worth it!

What else? The former Miss America were awesome as always.

It looked like Miss America 2008 Kirsten Haglund had a very heavy left hand - I think she's engaged!

The Miss Americas also shared where they keep their crowns. Vonda Kay sleeps in hers and Dorothy Benham keeps hers in a butter cookie tin. I swear, you can't make this stuff up!

On Wednesday, January 11, 2012, the 53 Miss America 2012 contestants competed in the second night of preliminary competition.

Miss Oklahoma Betty Thompson won a $2,000 scholarship (courtesy of Artistry by Amway) for her rousing Irish dance.

Miss Texas Kendall Morris won a $1,000 scholarship (courtesy of Artistry by Amway) in the Lifestyle & Fitness competition in swimsuit. Kendall wore a swimsuit by Komplique, the new offical swimsuit sponsor of Miss America.

Congratulations, ladies!

Four contestants were honored yesterday with these awards.

Posted Wednesday, January 05, 2011