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 18 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.
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. TEXAS 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. In addition, each state
winner, at the national pageant, will be awarded
an 8 day/7 night condominium vacation to a destination
of their choice for 2-4 people. Travel expenses are
not included.
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 21-22, 2010, in Irving,
Texas at the Dupree 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. TEXAS 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. TEXAS
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, Windy City, 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 2010 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 ann
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.
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