Become a Contestant!

The 2013 Miss Grand Forks/Empire/Eastern Dakota Pageant will be held Fall 2012 in Grand Forks, ND. Contact us if you're interested in becoming a contestant. We'd love to hear from you! Early registration will begin Summer of 2011.

(Must be between the ages of 17-24 and at high school senior status or a full time college student anywhere within the state of North Dakota... out of state residents attending a North Dakota school are welcome).

The 2012 Miss Grand Forks/Grand Cities' Outstanding Teen Pageant will be held on Sun. Jan. 29th, 2011 at the Empire Arts Center, downtown Grand Forks, ND. We will crown a teen (between the ages of 14-17) from Minnesota and one from North Dakota to advance to their respective state pageants (MN-March 31st in Eden Prairie, MN; ND-June 2011 in Williston, ND). The state winners will then advance to the Miss America's Outstanding Teen Pageant, teen equivalent to the Miss America Pageant.

The Miss America and America's Outstanding Teen Scholarship Organizations provide an opportunity for young women to showcase and improve on their public speaking skills, health and fitness, poise, and favorite on-stage talent.

There is no entry fee required to compete in a local Miss pageant, however each contestant must raise at least $100 for Children's Miracle Network Hospitals, the primary non-profit associated with the Miss America Organization. There is a $100 entry fee for teens to compete and 100% of this goes directly to our Scholarship/Event Fund as we are a not-for-profit.

Miss contestants must sign up for the 2013 Miss Grand Forks/Empire/Eastern Dakota Pageant, once the pageant date has been set, at the offiical sign up sitte for MAO contestants: www.missamerica4kids.org (2013 cycle). The contestant who raises the most money for Children's Miracle Network Hospitals before the competition date will receive a crystal Miracle Maker Award.

Many newcomers to pageants choose to borrow wardrobe items from previous contestants. If you are interested in competing but would like help with preparing your wardrobe, we can help you track down available items to borrow, rent, or purchase.

Areas of competition

Interview:
A private interview will take place the morning of this 1 day pageant. 5 judges with backgrounds in music, theater, public service and speaking, etc. will interview you for 10 minutes on your platform, a social issue that is important to you, current events, and personal info. you will provide on a fact sheet, (accomplishments, hobbies, etc.). Teens- 8 minute long interview.

Swimsuit/Fitness:
First on-stage competition. Modeling in a swimsuit of your choice (Miss) or a fitness outfit (Teens).
Swimsuits can be 1pc or 2pc but must be approved by the local director before the pageant.

Talent:
A 90 second on-stage performance of your choice. Teens- up to 2 minutes long.

Examples- Instrument or vocal solo done in any style, (minimal props, background music, and/or costumes allowed), monologue, dance or gymnastics routine, baton twirling, etc. Anything entertaining will work!

Evening Gown:
On-stage modeling in a floor-length evening gown of your choice.

On-Stage Question(s):
Contestants will be required to answer up to 2 on stage questions- 1 related to your platform and 1 created at random.

3 TITLES WILL BE AWARDED FOR MISS AND 2 TITLES WILL BE AWARDED FOR TEEN

Eligibility Requirements

Miss Grand Forks: must be between the ages of 17-24 (and at high school senior status or higher) and a student or resident from anywhere within Grand Forks County for at least 5 months prior to 2013 local competition date. Those choosing to compete for the Grand Forks title are not eligible to win the Empire title.

Miss Empire: must be between the ages of 17-24 (and at high school senior status or higher) and a student or resident from anywhere within the state of North Dakota at least 5 months prior to the 2013 local competition date. Those competing for the Empire title are not eligible to win the Grand Forks title.

Miss Eastern Dakota: this title is awarded to the contestant from either category with the next highest score.

Miss Grand Forks' Outstanding Teen: must be between the ages of 14-17 (and up to junior status in high school) and a student or resident from anywhere within the state of North Dakota.

Miss Grand Cities' Outstanding Teen: must be between the ages of 13-17 (and up to junior status in high school) and a student or resident from anywhere within the state of Minnesota.

Prize Package: All 3 Miss Titleholders will receive the same prize package, appearance and performance opportunities, and coaching to prepare them for the Miss North Dakota Scholarship Pageant. Both Outstanding Teen Titleholders will receive the same prize pacakge desiganted for teens and separate than the Miss Titleholders as well as appearance and performance opportunities and coaching for the Miss ND and Miss MN's Outstanding Teen Pageants.