MISS CALIFORNIA'S OUTSTANDING
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• Must be a U.S. citizen

• At least 17 years old at the time of local pageant.

• No more than 24 years old on December 31, 2008.

• High school graduate or will become a high school graduate no later than six months after the date of your first local competition.

• Female, never married and never have had children

• Legal resident of California at least 6 months prior to local pageant competition

• Geographic eligibility for local pageants:

• An entrant may enter only 2 structured local pageants within a single pageant year, but may enter an unlimited number of open pageants.

• There is no limit on the number of open local pageant titles an entrant may hold during her entire competition eligibility period (ages 17 - 24)

• An entrant may hold only 2 structured local pageant titles during her entire competition eligibility period (ages 17 - 24)

• An entrant may not succeed herself, or win the same structured or open pageant title more than once

Photograph by Exclusive Photography

Private Interview (25% of total score)
Each contestant participates in an individual 10-minute press conference-style interview with our panel of judges (12 minutes at the state and national competitions). There are typically 5 to 7 judges on a panel. Contestants are questioned on their background as presented on their fact sheet, their educational and career goals, their opinions on current events and social issues, and their interests, hobbies and extracurricular activities.

Scoring is based on:

	Qualities and attributes of a Miss America
	Overall first impression
	Validated aspirations, opinions and responses in context
	Poise, personal appearance and attractiveness
	Personality, intelligence, style and emotional control
	Speech, vocabulary and grammar
	Confident and commanding presence
	Knowledge, understanding and ability to articulate her platform issue
	Sense of accomplishment
	Ability to fulfill job responsibilities of Miss Local/Miss California

Talent (35% of total score)
Contestants perform a 2-minute routine of their own choosing. Some possible talents include all types of singing, dancing, gymnastics, instrumental music, dramatic or comedy monologues, baton twirling and ventriloquism. Other talents that can be performed solo on a stage are also possible. Phone or e-mail us if you have a question about your talent presentation.

Scoring is based on:

	Talent selection and performance, as it distinguishes both the contestant's skills and personality
	Interpretive ability
	Technical skill level (execution, technique, synchronization, control)
	Stage presence and on-stage personality
	Totality of all elements (including costume, props, voice, use of body, choreography)

Lifestyle & Fitness In Swimsuit (15% of total score)
Each contestant briefly appears on stage in a one- or two-piece swimsuit and footwear of her own choosing. Swimsuits must be approved prior to competition by the Executive Director of the pageant.

Scoring is based on:

	Qualities and attributes of a Miss America
	Overall first impression
	Statement of strong physical fitness and health
	Sense of attractiveness and presence
	Display of energy, charisma and expression
	Sense of confidence and composure

On-Stage Question (5% of total score)
Questions will be of a general nature and will be neither platform-related nor something taken directly from the private interview. The objective is to evaluate the contestant's ability to think on her feet and answer a question of general interest to people her age, including, but not limited to, local, state and national current events.

Scoring is based on:

	Overall first impression
	Extemporaneous response to on-stage question
	Did the contestant answer the question in the context in which it was asked?
	Can she handle the pressure of speaking on stage in front of an audience?
	Will young people see her as a role model who is reflective of today's generation?

Evening Wear (20% of total score)
Each contestant appears on stage in an outfit of her own choosing, representative of what she would wear to a formal "after five" social event. Pant suits, cocktail dresses and evening gowns are all appropriate for this phase of the competition.

Scoring is based on:

	Qualities and attributes of a Miss America
	Overall first impression
	Sense of confidence, personality and stage presence
	Walk, posture, carriage and grace
	Appropriateness of attire and sense of style
	Sense of attractiveness, beauty and charm

Top Five - Final Ballot
From the above 100%, the Top Five Finalists will be named. The Top Five Finalists enter the final round of competition with zero points. The judges will then rank the contestants in the order they individually believe the contestants should finish on a Final Ballot.

Each judge will rank the Top Five contestants on a Final Ballot. A first place vote is worth ten points, a second place vote is worth five points, a third place vote is worth three points, a fourth place vote is worth two points and a fifth place vote is worth one point . The total of the Final Ballots alone will determine the outcome of the pageant. The high and low scores on the Final Ballot will NOT be dropped. All judges’ votes count on the Final Ballot.

Photograph by Exclusive Photography