COMPETITION GUIDELINES

Applications for the 2024 Vernon Hills Pageant 

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Competition Guidelines:

Each contestant will compete and be scored in three categories...

• Interview – 35% of score

Each contestant will be interviewed individually by the judges prior to the on-stage portion of the pageant. Contestants will be judged on their ability to communicate effectively in an interview. The judges will be looking for young ladies who can be engaging, expressive, and articulate.

Little Miss: Interview outfit should be a casual sundress. You should wear dress shoes or dress sandals (no flip flops) that are comfortable for walking. Hair should be clean and out of the contestant’s face. Nails can be painted. No makeup except for clear lip gloss or Chap-Stick.

Junior Miss: Interview outfit should be a nice dress that is age appropriate. Dress should not be too short or too tight. Age appropriate makeup is acceptable but not required. Hair should look clean and out of the contestant’s face. A shoe with an age appropriate height is required. No flip flops or sandals.

Miss: Professional interview attire is required. This can include a dress or suit. A shoe with an age appropriate height is required. Hair should look polished and out of the face. Makeup should not be excessive as it should enhance your beauty.

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• Speech – 35% of score

Each contestant will be required to model in a casual dress and deliver a speech about an age appropriate topic. Contestants will be judged on their ability to speak to a large group as well as stage presence.

Little Miss: TOPIC - "What I want to be when I grow up." No longer than 30 seconds.

On-stage outfit should be a casual sundress. You should wear dress shoes or dress sandals (no flip flops) that are comfortable for walking. Hair should be clean and out of the contestant’s face. Nails can be painted. No makeup except for clear lip gloss or Chap-Stick.

Junior Miss: TOPIC - Any event, person, or topic that is important to you, as long as it is not immoral, political, or controversial. No longer than 45 seconds.

On-stage outfit should be a nice dress that is age appropriate. Dress should not be too short or too tight. Age appropriate makeup is acceptable but not required. Hair should look clean and out of the contestant’s face. A shoe with an age appropriate height is required. No flip flops or sandals.

Miss: TOPIC - Any event, person, or topic that is important to you, as long as it is not immoral, political, or controversial. No longer than 60 seconds.

Professional interview attire is required. This can include a dress or suit. A shoe with an age appropriate height is required. Hair should look polished and out of the face. Makeup should not be excessive as it should enhance your beauty.

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• Pop question – 30% of score

The final portion of the competition will require each contestant to model in a formal gown. Each contestant within an age group will answer the same pop question. Contestants will be secluded prior to answering their question. Contestants will be judged on grace, poise, and ability to spontaneously respond to the pop question.

Little Miss: One Pop Question. Your dress should be similar to a flower girl or very nice holiday dress. T-length or floor length is acceptable. Coordinate a nice dress shoe. 

Junior Miss: One Pop Question. A full-length dress is required. Dress must be age appropriate. Shoes should be tasteful and age appropriate. 

Miss: Two Pop Questions. A full-length gown is required. Slits on a dress must not go higher than 3 inches above the knee. The dress and shoes should be tasteful, age appropriate, and comfortable enough for the contestant to walk smoothly.

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Age Requirements:

Little Miss: Contestants must be between the ages of 6-10 by June 8, 2024

Junior Miss: Contestants must be between the ages of 11-15 by June 8, 2024

Miss: Contestants must be between the ages of 16-21 by June 8,2024

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Additional Requirements:

• Must be a resident of Vernon Hills with a Vernon Hills mailing address AND a 60061 zip code

• Must identify as a girl or woman

• Must agree to serve as Vernon Hills Queen for one year

• Must be available for interviews, personal appearances, and other various commitments that the Vernon Hills Pageant will make for the queens

• Must agree to have photo used in social media and newspaper articles approved by the directors

• Must have never been convinced of a minor or felony offense

• May not have ever been married or had a marriage annulled

• Must never have been pregnant or had a child

• Must not compete in any other pageant for the entire year as queen in any system besides the Lake County Illinois Scholarship Pageant

• Must not hold any other titles while competing in the Vernon Hills Pageant

• The contestant agrees that by competing in the 2024 Vernon Hills Pageant she will not compete in another LCIS affiliated town pageant in the 2024 season. LCIS affiliated towns include Antioch, Fox Lake Area, Grayslake, Gurnee, Lindenhurst, Mundelein, Northern Lakes, Round Lake Area, Vernon Hills, Wadsworth, and Winthrop Harbor.

• Queens must agree to behave responsibly on all social media platforms, any post disapproved of by the directors must be removed immediately

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