NEW: Are you crowning Miss Shelby County, too?
We are pleased to announce that, yes, in addition to crowning a new Miss Memphis, we will also crown a Miss Shelby County. We have also changed the teen title to Miss Teen Shelby County while Miss Memphis Princess remains the same.

NEW: Is Miss Shelby County open to only West Tennessee also?
No. Both Miss Shelby County and Miss Teen Shelby County are open pageants which means anyone residing/attending school within the state of Tennessee from west to middle to east may compete for these two crowns!

When is Workshop?
More information to come soon!

Are there any entry fees?
The early bird entry fee for Teen and Princess contestants is $100 if postmarked by October 1, 2010. After October 1st, the entry fee will be $150.

Miss contestants do not have any entry fees but are required to raise $100 for the Children's Miracle Network.

How do I sign up for Children's Miracle Network?
Only Miss contestants are required to sign up for Children's Miracle Network (CMN). Miss contestants should refer to this for more information on CMN.

Each Miss contestant must register on the CMN website at www.MissAmerica4kids.com and get $100 in donations for each local. Once a contestant has raised $400, they do not have to continue the fundraising if they want. Should a contestant win a local pageant, she then should raise $250 to compete at the state pageant.

All Miss Memphis/Miss Shelby County/Miss Shelby County contestants must have their money raised no later than November 24, 2010. Those who have not met their $100 qualification will not be allowed to compete.

I know that Miss talents have been cut to 90 seconds. What about Teens?
Both Miss and Teen talents must not exceed 90 seconds.

What about Princess?
Princess contestants do not perform in the talent competition.

Where can I find 90 second accompaniment?
90 second background vocals can be found online at numerous websites. We recommend Musical Creations. Locally, many vocal coaches can cut your vocal talent music.

My music has background vocals. Is this acceptable?
Background vocals are only acceptable when they do not overpower your vocal performance, dramatic monologue, or instrument performance.

I don't sing, dance, or play a musical instrument. What can I do for my talent?
There are still a number of other options: Dramatic or comedic monologues, roller skating, poetry recital, stand up comedy, etc. Feel free to be creative.

Sorry, no live animals nor talents involving dangerous objects (flaming anything, knives, firearms, trampolines, etc) are not permitted. We also do not have ice capabilities onstage either.

Talents may also not be filmed and played on screen. They must be performed live.

Why do you need two copies of my talent music?
Two copies of your cd must be supplied (or you may email the mp3 to the Executive Director). If a cd is submitted, the second copy should be available in case the original cd is scratched or fails to work.

How do I submit my entry for the Community Service award?
The Community Service award is available to all ages. This should be submitted in the form of a scrapbook (include photos, commentary, letters of recommendation, news clippings, etc.) and submitted to the local director at pageant check in. Please keep in mind that this does not have to be decorated. In fact, we prefer it without the glitter glue and stickers. We are looking at your service hours, not how pretty the scrapbook is.

After the pageant, I forgot to pick up my cds/left my makeup in the dressing room/forgot my community service book! What do I do?
It is the contestant's responsibility to obtain the music/clean up behind themselves in the dressing area/ pick up their community service book from the lobby at or after the pageant upon completion of competition. The Miss Memphis/Miss Shelby County Organization is not responsible for items not picked up or left behind.

Will we have choreography to learn this year?
No. Contestants have enough to worry about with competition. We do not want to have any contestant stressed out learning choreography. (Please note that this may change from year to year depending on the pageant theme. When choreography is involved, we promise to keep it to a minimum.)

Do Teens and Princess contestants compete in Swimsuit?
No. Only Miss competes in Swimsuit. Teen and Princess contestants compete in Fitness Wear.

What type of fitness wear? Do I have to show my midriff?
There are many different styles of fitness wear. Some show your midriff; some do not. This is at you and your parents discretion.

We do ask that you have no rhinestones or sequins on your fitness at our pageant.

Some examples include:

What will we be required to wear for Contestant Introductions?
We ask that you wear a solid green cocktail dress. No print!

Kelly green is the color of preference but we realize this color may be difficult to find. If you have trouble, you may use a slightly lightter shade of green. Hunter green is too dark. Avoid neon green.

Some examples include:


What other wardrobe requirements will we have?
All contestants will be required to have an interview suit or dress and an evening gown.

Miss and Teen contestants should wear a talent appropriate costume, gown, or outfit of their choice. Princess contestants do not compete in talent.

We urge you to be reasonable in expenditures for your wardrobe by borrowing and renting your wardrobe!

Please feel free to let your clothing, hairstyle, talent and overall image reflect your true personality and the image of today’s young women. Chose clothing that is age-appropriate.

A t-shirt will be sold before interviews and during check-in for $10-15 (cost TBD). This shirt is to be worn during all rehearsals the day of the pageant with a pair of jeans.


How are the contestants scored?

Phase of Competition	Princess	Teen	Miss
Private Interview	40%	35%	25%
Fitness/Swimsuit	25%	10%	15%
Evening Wear	25%	15%	20%
Talent	0%	35%	35%
On-Stage Question	10%	5%	5%

When do I get my money/scholarships?
Miss scholarships are paid to your school or student loan organization within six weeks of submission of a completed scholarship request form. Failure to submit complete form by deadline will result in loss of scholarship funds. Scholarship request forms must be sent via US Mail. Emails not acceptable.

Teen and Princess award money will be mailed within six weeks of recieving a submission of a completed awards request form. Failure to submit complete form by deadline will result in loss of award money. Award request forms must be sent via US Mail. Emails not acceptable.

Last year the pageant had some great baskets sold in a Silent Auction. Will the contestants be doing this again this year?
Absolutely! The Miss Memphis/Miss Shelby County Organization is excited to bring back our Silent Auction fundraiser for the pageant again! Each contestant will be asked to provide a gift basket relating to anything from your platform, your talent, your hometown, your school, etc! Anything goes! You can be as creative or simple as you like. The baskets should be something that people would be interested in purchasing. They may be any size, any product, any thing that you think might interest people. They may be wrapped or not. It may not even be a basket but some other container. It is entirely up to you.

The contestant with the highest selling basket will receive a cash award!!!

The baskets should be delivered between 10:30 and 12:30 (before or after Load In) Saturday November 27th in the Buckman lobby to our Silent Auction Chairpersons. (Please include your name on the basket somewhere.)

The silent auction will begin when the doors open before the pageant and will close after intermission. The contestant’s basket who gets the highest bid will received a $50 cash prize! Each basket will have a starting bid of $10 and increase in increments of $5.

Last Year Baskets: