PAGEANT INFORMATION

The Miss North Central Florida USA Pageants are official preliminaries to the internationally televised Miss Florida USA® and Teen Pageants of the Miss Universe® Organization. Only young women who win or place as a finalist in an official preliminary pageant are eligible to compete for the titles of Miss Florida USA and Miss Florida Teen .

Contestants are judged in three categories: on-stage personality interview, swimsuit, and evening gown (all worth 1/3 of each contestant’s total score). There is no talent competition or opening dance number.

The winners of each pageant will receive an exciting prize package including their entry fees (valued at up to $1750) paid to represent the North Central Florida region in the Miss Florida USA and Teen Pageants, as well as prizes designed to help them prepare for the state competition.

Following is a breakdown of the three competition segments, how each segment is judged, and what is needed for each segment.

 THE INTERVIEW COMPETITION

Contestant interviews will take place on stage and will consist of two segments. First, you will be asked to address the judges and audience with a 30-60 second speech about yourself. The content of your speech is completely up to you, but should reflect your uniqueness and include something memorable to the judges. Following your speech, you will be joined on stage by the emcee who will then ask you an on-stage questions, submitted by the contestants, themselves.  Contestants will be judged on poise, charm, self-confidence, their ability to communicate, and the substance of their answers.

You will be wearing the same outfit for opening introductions and on-stage interviews. For this segment, contestants may wear a cocktail dress, or top and skirt or pants.  For the upcoming Miss Marion County USA & Miss Alachua County USA Pageants, contestants in the Teen Division are asked to choose a white and/or blue outfit for this segment; contestants in the Miss Division are asked to choose a black and/or pink outfit.  There are no guidelines for shoes for this segment… you may choose the style and color.

THE SWIMSUIT COMPETITION

In this segment of the competition, judges will be focusing on beauty, figure/physical fitness, and the confidence with which each contestant carries herself. Judges are not looking for the “thinnest” contestant in this portion of the competition, but rather the contestant who appears dedicated to a fit and healthy lifestyle, as well as the contestant who carries herself with confidence and personality.

Contestants in both divisions may choose any solid-color swimsuit which adheres to Miss Florida USA standards. There are no restrictions on color, and both 1 and conservative 2 piece swimsuits are acceptable. For this segment, contestants are to wear taupe or clear sandals, pumps, or heels.

THE EVENING GOWN COMPETITION

In the evening gown competition, contestants are judged on overall appearance, self-confidence, and sense of style, as well as stage presence and posture.

Evening gowns are completely the choice of contestants. There are no color or style guidelines (though gowns should be floor-length), and shoes of your choice may be worn. It is important that you choose a dress in which you are confident and comfortable.