Jennifer Vannatta-Fisher
Co-Executive Director
Hello, and thank you for your interest in our program! I was Miss Kansas (America)
1998, and can tell you first hand that being a part of
pageants is a rewarding and life changing experience. During
my year as Miss Kansas, I had the honor of traveling throughout
the state meeting with many interesting and wonderful people.
Looking back, I realize that my year as Miss Kansas 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 pageants. I truly
believe in the personal growth and individual development
that is cultivated by ones participation in pageants.
Our company VANBROS, became involved in the MISS USA® & MISS TEEN USA® pageants 20 years ago. We began as the directors for Kansas,
and later became the directors for Missouri, Oklahoma,
Nebraska and Arkansas. We have taken more than 100 women
to the national MISS USA & MISS TEEN USA competitions. Under our direction, our states have become regulars
in the top-15, top-10, and top-5. There have even been
four national winners. However, We are most proud of
the 'post-pageant' real-life successes enjoyed by the
titleholders
and the contestants who write to thank us for their experience.
You can read some of the testimonials at www.vanbros.com.
As
we enter into another year with the Mrs. UNITED
STATES® Pageant, our focus is for this program to provide
a fair
environment in which women have the opportunity to
better
themselves. We hope the pageant encourages the contestants
to gain self-awareness, self-confidence, individual
pride and greater social awareness. We hope each contestant
improves her ability to communicate effectively, speak
in front
of people, and stand up for her beliefs. We encourage
our contestants to find issues she feels strongly about,
and
to become involved in organizations and causes that
speak
to her heart. Finally, we hope that through preparation
for this event our contestants will develop healthy
living habits and include regular exercise into their
daily
routines. Each lady who enters this program has different
goals,
and we strive hard to assist each woman in her own
personal quest.
There is no prior pageant experience necessary to enter
or to win. Many contestants have won on their first
attempt, and many others return because it was a
positive experience.
We like to believe that each woman who participates
in our pageant leaves a little more prepared to deal
with
the world around them, and more importantly, the
world ahead of them! Basically, our philosophy for the
Mrs.
MISSOURI UNITED STATES Pageant is not about encouraging
women to
‘win’ a pageant, but to encourage excellence in women,
and to help them develop life skills that will ultimately
help them win in life by being the best they can
be in everything they do.
The winner of our State Pageant will embark on an
exciting journey, and receive a prize package including
wardrobe,
travel and more. They will journey to Las Vegas,
Nevada where they will compete for the coveted
title of Mrs.
UNITED STATES. Her entry fee and airfare will be
covered by VANBROS
and Associates, Inc., and all of her lodging as
well as other perks will be provided by the Mrs. UNITED
STATES Organization.
Pageant Weekend
While our program places an emphasis on excellence,
achievement and personal growth, we also strive
to make the pageant
experience FUN! The pageant is a two-day event,
and will be held May 5-6, 2012, in St. Joseph,
Missouri
at
the Historic Missouri Theater. Each contestant
will be provided a complimentary room for her
and her family to use on Saturday night at the
host hotel.
On the first day,
it's fun, fun, fun! The contestants enjoy meeting
the pageant staff and other contestants.
There
is an orientation, rehearsal and photos will
be taken for the pageant website.
The second
day begins with the personal interview competition.
During the interviews, each contestant
has the opportunity
to meet individually with each judge for
a three-minute interview. Each contestant has
the opportunity
to convince the judges she is right for the
job of Mrs.
MISSOURI
UNITED STATES. Following the interviews,
the contestants will
head to the theater for more rehearsals.
The second day ends with the on-stage competition.
At the
end of the
show, we will have a new Mrs. MISSOURI UNITED
STATES.
Contestant Titles
Each contestant will be able to select a title under which she will compete at
the state pageant. These titles are assigned on a first-come, first-serve
basis. Contestants should choose titles that represent where they live, work
or intend to look for sponsors. Examples could be city names, county names,
regional parts of the state, or catch phrases like Capital City, Show Me
State, etc. Once assigned a title, you will be sent a two color satin embroidered
sash with your title on it. You may wear this sash when you go out to look
for sponsors, and you may make appearances with the sash for the remainder
of calendar year 2011 for charitable organizations and other exciting events.
Photos of contestant appearances may be submitted to the pageant office throughout
the year and will be posted on the pageant website.
Pageant Competition
Each Contestant will compete in three equal phases of competition: swimsuit,
evening gown, and interview. The scores from the three phases of competition
are added up, and the contestants with the highest composite scores become
semifinalists. The number of semifinalists will be determined by the
total number of contestants in the competition.
Scoring is based on:
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 three-minute
interviews with each of the three 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 each have
a short on stage interview. Each judge will then be
told to circle the names of the (3-5) women, based
on their OVERALL impressions of each contestant throughout
the weekend that they want to be a finalist. The number
of circles and finalists will be determined by the
number of semifinalists and will range between 3 and 5. The contestants receiving the most circles will be the finalists.
The finalists will then each have a final on-stage question. After each contestant
has answered her question, the judges will make their
final rankings based on their overall impression of
each contestant. The judges will select a winner, 1st
runner-up, 2nd runner-up, (3rd runner-up, and 4th runner-up
/ if applicable).
Pageant Wardrobe (Each contestant is to provide her own competition wardrobe)
Private Interview: An outfit that represents your personality and you feel comfortable wearing.
This can range from casual to business oriented,
but something you would find in your own closet.
Swimsuit: You may chose between one and two-piece suits. However, adequate
coverage is required and no thongs are allowed. Swimsuits may be any appropriate
style, and design, and there are no color restrictions. Patterns and prints
are also acceptable.
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
beautiful. Your gown should represent YOUR own personality
and taste. Remember, you can look like a million
bucks without spending a million bucks!
Opening Production Number: Each Contestant WILL BE PROVIDED an opening number dress from VANBROS. We are
excited to be able to improve the visual aspect of
our show and save each of you from having to purchase
an additional outfit!
Apply Now
After reviewing all of the information, if you have an interest in becoming a
contestant, please APPLY ONLINE. Upon receipt of this online application in the office, you will recieve an
official application packet in the mail.
If you are looking for motivation to get out of your comfort zone, and need something
to push you towards self-improvement and higher self
esteem, consider joining us for this year’s event.
Or, if you are just looking to live out a childhood dream, or just have some fun and
meet new friends, this is an event and opportunity
for you! Please don’t hesitate to call us with any questions or concerns 913.381.7121. This truly could be the chance of a lifetime,
so don’t delay.
|
