October
2-4 , 2008 • Clarksville, TN
Pageant Introduction
From Kimberly Payne Greenwood / Executive Coordinator
Hello,
and welcome to our website! I was
Miss Tennessee USA 1989 and can tell you
first hand that being a part of this pageant
can be a life changing experience. I
had the great honor of traveling throughout
the state, meeting wonderful people statewide,
and representing Tennessee at the Miss
USA pageant as well as internationally
entertaining the U.S. troops abroad on
USO Tours to seven countries. Looking back,
I realize that my year as Miss Tennessee
USA will always be one of the most dynamic
and positive experiences in my life. However,
I also realize that even if I had never
won the actual title, I would still be
a stronger, more confident, self-assured,
and goal oriented person simply as a result
of my participation in the pageant. I
truly believe in the personal growth and
individual development that is cultivated
by one's participation in this organization.
When
the Miss Universe Organization contacted
me in 1992 about assuming the directorship
in the state of Tennessee, my husband and
I prayed about the opportunity and ultimately
felt that it would be a wonderful way for
us to give back to a state that had been
very good to us. I knew first hand
that it was a great program for young women
and I have committed my work to encouraging
excellence in young women for over eleven
years now.
My
focus from the beginning has been for this
program to provide a fair environment in
which young women have the opportunity
to better themselves. I hope the
pageant encourages the contestants to gain
self-awareness, self-confidence, individual
pride, and greater social awareness. I
hope each contestant improves their ability
to communicate effectively, to speak in
front of people, and to stand up for what
they believe in. I encourage our
contestants to find issues they feel strongly
about, and to become involved in organizations
and causes that speak to their hearts. Each
young lady who has entered this program
has had different goals and our staff strives
hard to assist each person in their personal
quest for excellence.
I
am pleased that a large number of contestants
each year have never been in a pageant
and they find it to be a rewarding and
worthwhile experience. Many contestants
have won their first time out, and many
others return because of the positive experience
they had in our program. I like to
think that each young woman walks away
from our program a little more ready to
deal with the world around her, and more
importantly, the world ahead of her.
My
philosophy for the Miss Tennessee USA program
is not about encouraging young women to "win" a
pageant, but to encourage young women to
develop life skills that will ultimately
help them win in life by being their personal
best in everything they do.
Pageant
Weekend:
Our program certainly has an emphasis on excellence, but we
also have an emphasis on fun! The pageant is a three day event
and is scheduled for October 2-4, 2008 in Clarksville, Tennessee.
On
the first day, the Teen and Miss Contestants
check-in to spend the morning and afternoon
in rehearsals with our choreographer at
the Theater. That evening, the city of
Clarksville will host you for a reception
to meet and greet many of the city's business
leaders. Following the reception, the Mayor
of Clarksville will host a "welcome
dinner" for all of our contestants
during which you will also have the opportunity
to listen to a motivational speaker who
will once again drive home the message
of becoming your personal best.
The
second day is full of rehearsals. Our production
staff includes an incredible choreographer,
set designer and numerous theatrical professionals
who always make the Miss Tennessee USA
and Teen USA Pageants one of the premiere
pageant events in the country. The second
day concludes with the Preliminary Competition
in which each contestant will compete in
Swimsuit and Evening Gown.
The
third day begins with the personal interview
competition. During the interviews, each
contestant has the opportunity to meet
individually with each judge for a two
minute interview. Each contestant has the
opportunity to convince the judges she
is right for the job of Miss Tennessee
USA or Miss Tennessee Teen USA. Following
the interviews, the contestants return
to the theater for final rehearsals. The
Miss Tennessee Teen USA finals conclude
that afternoon and the Miss Tennessee USA
finals conclude that evening. By the end
of the third day, we will have a new Miss
Tennessee USA and Miss Tennessee Teen USA.
The
winner of the Miss Tennessee USA will advance
to the nationally televised MISS USA Pageant,
and the winner of the Miss Tennessee Teen
USA title will advance to the MISS TEEN
USA Pageant. Should Miss Tennessee USA
go on to become Miss USA, she would then
advance to the ultimate contest ... the
internationally televised MISS UNIVERSE
Pageant.
Pageant
Competition:
Each Contestant will compete in three equal phases of preliminary
competition: swimsuit, evening gown, and interview. The scores
from the preliminary phases of competition are added up, and
the contestants with the highest composite scores become semifinalists.
The number of semifinalists will be between 10 and 15, and
will be determined by the total number of contestants in the
competition. Scoring is based on the following:
• Swimsuit:
each contestant is evaluated on her physical
fitness, stage-presence, and overall
impression.
• Evening
Gown: each contestant is evaluated on
grace, poise, style, stage presence,
the confidence with which she carries
herself, and overall-impression.
• Interview:
preliminary interviews are personal one-on-one
style. You will have two minute interviews
with each of the five judges. It’s
very comfortable and conversational.
Contestants are scored on their communication
skills, and personality. They are NOT
scored on their opinions or personal
beliefs.
Once
the semifinalists are announced during
the final show, they will again compete
in swimsuit and evening gown. These two
phases of competition will narrow the field
to a group of five finalists.
The
top-5 will then each have an on-stage interview.
The interview will be conducted by the
emcee. After the top-5 interviews, the
judges will select a winner, 1st runner-up,
2nd runner-up, 3rd runner-up, and 4th runner-up
in each age group.
Pageant
Wardrobe:
Each contestant will need rehearsal clothing (sweats, sweatshirts,
tennis shoes, etc.) for the first day's activities. They will
also need a nice dress or suit for the welcome dinner. The
required competition and stage wardrobe is as follows:
• Opening
Production Number:
Miss
Contestants: Fitted
black turtle neck top with long
sleeves.
Black short-shorts (like Hot
Pants), fitted (please check
to make sure they fit properly).
Silver strappy heels (4 inch
maximum), silver hoop earrings,
silver belt (belt
may be silver chain or rhinestone).
Teen
Contestants: Black long
sleeve blouse that can be tied
under the chest. Black fitted
pants (not capris). Silver strappy
heels (3 inch maximum), silver
hoop earrings, silver belt (belt
may be silver chain
or rhinestone).
• Private
Interview: 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,
et., 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
gown. No additional outfit is needed
for on-stage interviews.
• Swimsuit:
Miss
Contestants: Miss contestants
are required to provide and wear a
one or two piece BLACK swimsuit. NO
beading or stoning. Metal
connectors are acceptable. Large silver
hoop earrings, silver strappy heels,
4 inch max (NO platforms or acrylics).
You may add a hip (drop off waist-line)
chain link belt.
Teen
Contestants: Teen contestants
are required to provide and wear
a one (modest cutouts are acceptable)
or two piece swimsuit in any shade
of LIME GREEN, ORANGE,
YELLOW, OR A COMBINATION OF
THESE COLORS. NO
beading or stoning. Metal
connectors are acceptable. Large
silver hoop earrings, silver strappy
heels,
3 inch best (NO platforms or acrylics).
• Evening
Gown: all contestants must
have a full-length evening gown of
their choice. The style, design, and
color is up to you. It can be elaborate,
or very simple. Choose something that
makes you feel like Cinderella. Your
gown should represent YOUR own personality
and taste. Remember, you can look like
a million bucks without spending a
million bucks! Teens are encouraged
to wear gowns that reflect a more youthful
style and look than the Miss contestants.
How
to Enter:
After reviewing all of the information on our website, if you
have an interest in becoming a contestant, please click on
the Apply Today starburst under the menu bar and follow the
instructions. There is NO fee required to apply. Once we receive
your application and photo, it will be forwarded along with
all other pertinent information to the pageant committee. If
your application is approved, you will need to participate
in a phone interview before being offered an invitation to
become an official contestant. This truly could be the chance
of a lifetime, so don't delay, apply
today!
Conclusion:
Hopefully, our website has provided you with a sense about
our company, our program, and the many opportunities it
offers. We hope it has answered most of your questions
about the pageant competition as well. Nevertheless, we
realize there is no way we can adequately convey answers
to all of your questions, or our genuine passion for this
program without speaking to you in person. Please, don't
hesitate to contact us, at anytime, with any questions
or concerns. We are here for YOU! We sincerely hope you
will decide to become a part of our "pageant family!"
