Frequently Asked Questions - Miss San Diego and San Diego's Outstanding Teen Scholarship Pageant - An Official Preliminary to the Miss California and Miss America Pageants

What are the requirements and how do I qualify to compete in Miss San Diego and San Diego’s Outstanding Teen pageant?
• To compete in the Miss division, go to: Miss San Diego Pageant General Eligibility Requirements
• To compete in the Teen division, go to: San Diego’s Outstanding Teen Pageant General Eligibility Requirements

Are there any height and weight requirements to enter the pageant?
• No, there are no height or weight requirements to enter the pageant.

Is there a Grade Point Average (GPA) requirement to compete?
• There is no GPA requirement to compete in the Miss San Diego and San Diego's Outstanding Scholarship Pageant.

Do I have to be a San Diego resident to compete?
• To compete in the Miss division, go to: Miss San Diego Pageant General Eligibility Requirements
• To compete in the Teen division, go to: San Diego’s Outstanding Teen Pageant General Eligibility Requirements

I will start school in San Diego next semester/quarter. Will I be eligible to compete in the pageant?
• Go to: Miss San Diego Pageant General Eligibility Requirements
• Go to: San Diego’s Outstanding Teen Pageant General Eligibility Requirements

I live or work in San Diego County but attend school outside of the County. Am I eligible to compete?
• Go to: Miss San Diego Pageant General Eligibility Requirements
• Go to: San Diego’s Outstanding Teen Pageant General Eligibility Requirements

I attend school in San Diego County but do not live within the County. Am I eligible to compete?
• Go to: Miss San Diego Pageant General Eligibility Requirements
• Go to: San Diego’s Outstanding Teen Pageant General Eligibility Requirements

What do I need to do to sign up for the next pageant?
• If you are between the ages of 13 to 17 (and a junior in high school), Go to: Register to Become a Teen Contestant
• If you are between the ages of 17 (and a senior in high school) to 24, Go to: Register to Become a Miss Contestant

How do I get started? Do I need prior pageant experience?
• No experience is necessary to compete in the Miss San Diego or San Diego’s Outstanding Teen pageant. We will coach you with everything you need to know to successfully compete. To register as a Miss or Teen contestant, sign up here: Become a Contestant

Do I need an agent?
• No, agent representation is not required to compete.

Is there an entry fee? What are the costs involved?
• No, there are no entry fees to compete in the Miss San Diego and San Diego’s Outstanding Teen Pageant. However, you will be asked to seek sponsors for a minimum of three (3) program book pages.

What is a “platform”?
• Miss America founded the platform concept which requires each contestant to choose an issue about which she cares deeply and that is of relevance to our country. Once chosen, Miss San Diego and San Diego’s Outstanding Teen use their public presence to address community service organizations, business and civic leaders, the media and others about their platform issues. For many years, Miss San Diego titleholders have appeared at hundreds of public speaking engagements and charitable events to generate awareness for a variety of causes such as homelessness, HIV/AIDS prevention, domestic violence, diabetes awareness, character education, literacy, etc.

Do I need to perform a talent to compete?
• Yes, talent is an area of competition and is required to successfully compete.

What can I perform for “talent”?
• You may perform any talent that is stage appropriate. Examples of past talent performances have ranged from singing, dancing, playing a musical instrument to ventriloquism, comedic act, monologue, and hula hooping. We all have a talent, it is just a matter of identifying your talent.

How long must I perform for my talent portion of the competition?
• Each contestant is allowed a maximum of 2 minutes on stage. Your music accompaniment, if any, must be cut within that timeframe.

What are the competition categories?
• For the Miss competition categories, go to: Judging Criteria & Areas of Competition
• For the Teen competition categories, go to: Judging Criteria & Areas of Competition

What are the contestant time commitments before the competition?
• Contestants are expected to be available for weekly rehearsals and contestant events that commence approximately 2 months prior to the pageant date.

What are my time commitments if I am selected as Miss San Diego or San Diego’s Outstanding Teen?
• Miss San Diego and San Diego’s Outstanding Teen are both the official hostess for the City and County of San Diego. They attend weekly events, to include but not limited to public speaking engagements, performances, civic events, charity fundraisers and galas, community fairs and festivals, parades, local area pageants, and other special and meet and greet events. They frequently meet community leaders, elected officials, and other distinguished members of the community.

If I participate in the program, will it interfere with school?
• Education is our number one priority! The Miss San Diego and San Diego's Outstanding Scholarship program and the Miss America Organization encourage your educational success! All of your rehearsals, appearances, and community service events will be scheduled in advance in consideration of your school schedule.

What is the date of the next pageant? Where will it take place?
• Go to: 2008 Pageant Information

I just missed the current pageant year competition, how do I sign up to compete in next year’s pageant?
• To register as a Miss or Teen contestant, click here to: Become a Contestant

What paperwork must I fill out to become a contestant?
• To compete as a MISS contestant, go to: http://www.misscalifornia.org/spotlight/fillin.html
and fill out the following forms:

Form 101: Contestant Data Sheet Form
Form 101A: Eligibility Requirements
Form 103: Scholarship Report Form
Form 104: Contestant Contract Form
Form 104B: Precepts of Conduct
Form 105: Contestant Resume
Form 106: Platform Statement
Form 107: Resume Summary
Form 200: Talent Request
Form 204: Talent Introduction

• To compete as a TEEN contestant, go to: http://www.misscalifornia.org/teen/Teen%20Forms%20Contents.htm and fill out the following forms:

Form 101-T: Contestant Data Sheet
Form 104-T: Contestant Contract
Form 105-T: Contestant Resume
Form 106-T Platform Statement
Form 108-T: Precepts of Conduct
Form 200-T: Talent Request
Form 204-T: Talent Introduction

When are the application and listed paperwork due?
• The application deadline and paperwork are due at the first rehearsal of the pageant year.

I have other questions not answered here.
• Go to: Contact Us and submit your question.