And the hits just keep on comin'!

We hit 17,000! Thanks for all the hits. Keep reading Pageantude for the latest Miss Louisiana and Miss America news.

Congratulations to...

Dailey Joy Foster, Miss Dixie Gem Peach's Outstanding Teen

Lauren Abshier, Miss Dixie Gem Peach

3rd runner up: Tiffany Terrell
2nd runner up: Meghan Melder
1st runner up: Raven Hollins

See you at Miss Louisiana 2010!

Miss America's Outstanding Teen Broadcast Rights

This is from the MAOT National offices.

THE ENTERTAINMENT NETWORK PRESENTS
MISS AMERICA'S OUTSTANDING TEEN

Released: Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Author: Prom & Pageant Expositions, LLC/Miss America's Outstanding Teen, Inc.

San Ramon, CA (July 8, 2009) - Entertainment announced today that they have entered into a two-year partnership with Miss America's Outstanding Teen to broadcast the national teen pageant on the Entertainment Network, which will serve as the pageant's exclusive broadcast partner.

Miss America's Outstanding Teen, the sister pageant to Miss America, returns for its fifth year and will be hosted by Miss America, Katie Stam and Todd Newton with feature guest performances by American Idol's Jasmine Murray. Ben Eleazer and Elena LaQuatra will be hosting the behind the scenes footage for Entertainment.

"We are excited to be able to offer the 2009 competition and behind-the-scenes footage online for the first time. We are so pleased with our partnership with Entertainment," said Kim Parrish, President of Miss America's Outstanding Teen, Inc. "We feel they are leaders in this industry with a focus on wholesome and important topics for teens such as college, earning scholarships and going to proms. MAOT is a perfect fit."

"We're thrilled to bring the Miss America's Outstanding Teen program to our audience", said Amanda Mills, President & CEO of Entertainment. "This scholarship based pageant is exactly the type of programming we desire as part of our premiere online video network. It is yet another step toward our mission to engage, empower and entertain teens everywhere and is a real win/win for all involved."

The two-year broadcast partnership kicks off at the Rosen Centre in Orlando, Florida August 12th with a fabulous behind-the scenes four-day 'teen e' pre-series followed by the 2010 Miss America's Outstanding Teen Pageant on August 15th 2009, airing online August 16th on the Entertainment Network at www.enterteenmentonline.com/enterteenment.html.

Tickets to the preliminary and final/crowning events can be purchased online at www.ticketmaster.com and http://www.maoteenstore.com/servlet/Categories?category=2009+EVENTS.

The complete broadcast schedule to include several of the state pageants that will lead to next year's national event, which will broadcast on the Prom & Pageant Channel on the Enterteenment Network alongside national coverage of the best proms and the network's own show 'teen e' is to be announced.

ABOUT MISS AMERICA'S OUTSTANDING TEEN
Miss America's Outstanding Teen promotes scholastic achievement, creative accomplishment, healthy living and community involvement for America's Teens. Miss America's Outstanding Teen is a scholarship-based program offering accomplished teens the opportunity to be awarded funds for college. The program promotes scholastic achievement, creative accomplishment, healthy living and community involvement for America's teens. In the past four years, the organization has
made available more than $3 million in college scholarships.

ABOUT ENTERTEENMENT
Enterteenment is a media and lifestyle brand, dedicated to engaging, empowering and entertaining teens everywhere. The editorial is written by and shows hosted by teens who receive scholarships in return for their editorial contributions and participation. In a safe yet interactive and highly customizable environment they connect teens with their peers, community, products and inspiration they need to navigate their everyday lives, milestones and plan for their future. The Enterteenment Network is designed to provide teen relevant video programming that is empowering, engaging and entertaining and every program must meet all three objectives. This partnership will assist both organizations in providing scholarships, opportunities and memories to last a lifetime to the promising and talented teens enrolled in the programs.

Miss America's Outstanding Teen Preliminary Competitions, Orlando, Rosen Centre, August 11th - 13th. 2010 Miss America's Outstanding Teen Pageant, Final/Crowning, Orlando, Rosen Centre, August 15th.

MAOT Judging Panel Announced

The judging panel for Miss America's Outstanding Teen 2009 has been announced. Find out more about them here.

MAO Teen 2009 Selection

Here's the MAO Teen 2009 Contestant Grouping. Kelly is number 17 in the Blue group. She does Interview Tuesday morning, Sportswear Tuesday night, Talent Wednesday and Evening Wear/Onstage Question Thursday.

Miss America 2010 Contestants Stats

Hair color
BRUNETTE - AL, KS, MO, NM, NH, AK, DE, ID, IA, ND, MN, SD, LA, VI, IL, ME, MT, WI, AZ, WV, IN, VA, VT, NY, PA, CA, HI, TX, SC
BLOND - OK, WY, TN, MI, UT, OH, MD, NC, GA, CO, CT, RI
SANDY/Dishwater/?? – NE, NJ
RED - NV
Talents
VOCAL -NM, AK, DE, MN, SD, NJ, TN, OH, ME, MT, WV, IN, VA, MD, RI, TX, SC
DANCE- AL, MO, NE, OK, WY, ND, MI, IL, WI, VT, NY, PA, CA, NC, NV, CO, HI
VOCAL & TAP – CT
BATON – AZ
PIANO – LA, UT, VI,NH
OTHER Instruments - KS (trumpet), ID (viola), IA (violin), GA (oboe)

Number of times to win a state title
1X –WY, MN, SD, MI, IL, ME, MT,CO,RI
2X - KS, ID, UT, MD, NY, CA, GA, CT, HI,VT,ME,IL
3X - AL, MO, DE, IA, TN, OH, NC, NV
4X - NM, NH, NJ, LA, WI, WV, IN, VA, TX, SC,OK,AZ
5X – NE, ND, PA

Congratulations...

to Katherine and all the Miss Louisiana contestants. Y'all looked great!

Miss Louisiana Results

We have a new Miss Louisiana. She is Katherine Putnam, Miss Shreveport.

Top 5:
Miss Louisiana: Katherine Putnam, Miss Shreveport
1st runner-up: Hope Anderson, Miss ULM
2nd runner-up: Kenley Minchew, Miss Lafayette
3rd runner-up: Courtney Haynes, Miss Natchitoches City of Lights
4th runner-up: Joy Thomason, Miss Louisiana Port City

Top 10:
Erica Durr, Miss Bossier City
Brandy Hotard, Miss North Louisiana Bayou
Brittany McGehee, Miss Louisiana Watermelon Festival
Lacy Thibodeaux, Miss Crescent City New Orleans
Ravayna Tracey, Miss Spirit of the Red

Special Awards:
Internet People's Choice: Meghan Melder, Miss La Bonne Terre
CMN Miracle Maker: Mandi Ridgdell, Miss Louisiana Jazzland
MAO Community Service: Erin Husbands, Miss Baton Rouge
MAO Academic Award: Brittany McGehee, Miss Louisiana Watermelon Festival
Newcomer Award: Kenley Minchew, Miss Lafayette
Non-Finalist Talent: Mandi Ridgdell, Miss Louisiana Jazzland
Erin Husbands, Miss Baton Rouge
Heather Williams, Miss Coastal Wetlands
Lauren Lachney, Miss Louisiana Gulf Coast
Miss Congeniality: Lauren Lachney, Miss Louisiana Gulf Coast

Saturday's Podcast

Saturday's podcast can be found here.

Show Notes
Preview of Tonight's Competition
Friday prelim winners: Congratulations
Judging Seminar: full notes above
Interviews: Barron Brandon and Renee Williams
Close

Full Notes from Judging Seminar

Below are my full notes from Saturday's judging seminar.

judging process: need new blood in judging system
very serious process: you’ll change someone’s life, even in a local preliminary. You could be choosing the next Miss America. If you’re interested, get involved.
If you agree to judge, be sure to show up. The local directors depend on you. Only excuse is an emergency.

Don’t expect local pageant to accommodate you.
1st runner-up very important position.
Make sure you understand why you participate in this program.
NO MESSAGE BOARDS!!! Neither you nor your contestants should visit. Very destructive.
Turn your cell phones off. Give contestants full attention.
Very brief conversations.


Scoring system has evolved. Competition is tough.

Interview: behind podium about 10 feet of judges. Do not let her come nearer the judges. All five judges can ask questions. Like a press conference; free-for-all. Push them, but don’t push them over the edge. First way you’ll see contestant. 9:30 open questions, :30 close. Be natural, straightforward and fresh. Judges don’t want to hear canned speeches. Lots of techniques...bring conversation to a natural end.

Interview “queen”: Lynn Harris: judged 8 state pageants. He asks a lot of current event questions. He is studying newspapers. Make sure you’re not slipping. Pay attention to current events.

Amanda Mainord: be discerning and decisive. Not a lot of time to reflect. Balance of understanding. Who is fresh and contemporary? Balance with mind, preparedness. Take the job seriously. Make decisions quickly...not always easy. Don’t apologize for decision.

McNeil Chestnut: Chief judge can control interview. If a judge is “over the edge”, chief judge can overrule question. Discretion and good taste in question. Contestant should be able to answer sensitive questions.

Stephanie Barnes: novice to pageants and judging. Judges really care. Advocates. Don’t have to agree, but want to know where the girl is and what they want. Factual questions. If contestant doesn’t know answer, move on.

Taryn Foshee: Local interviews are important. Looking for technical aspects. What is “real”? She must be prepared. She doesn’t have to know any single answer, but she should be authentic. She must be accessible.

Local pageant can generate authenticity. Have mock interviews and opportunities to speak so can control nervousness.

Proper grammar, diction and phrasing. She should be able to speak well. Looking for potential. End on a polite/easy note. What does she do to connect with the world?

1-10 scale. Interview counts 25%.

Miss America guidelines: start at 5, then go up or down as interview goes on. Don’t be afraid to view the range. 4-6: average. 8-10: better. 10: exceptional. High and lows are tossed out. Be consistent in your scoring.

rhythm to judges’ panel. Sensitive job...use instincts. Use outgoing local titleholder to do a warmup mock interview: 4-5 minutes. This will get the judges going.

No comparative judging. Contestant competes only against herself.

After end of each contestant, mark your ballot right then and there.

Program is a journey. Contestants grow in the program and foster positive things. Need kind honesty that will foster them outside the program.

Keep questions short and to the point.

Talent: 35% of score. Leave prejudices at home. You may not like country music, for example, but you’re scoring a contestant.

Was it entertaining?
Would I like to see it again?
Do I want it to stop?

Local: like American Idol. This can be fixed before state.

Do I see the contestant’s personality during performance? Is she selling the performance? Is her heart in it? Is she giving her best?

Work with local experts to educate yourself: i.e. dance teacher, voice teacher, etc. Understand different styles of music. Use the Internet for sources.

Entertainment vs. Technique: know your limits. Perform your range. Use community resources to prepare for state pageant (community theatre, etc.) . Broad range creates talent. Expand your knowledge.

Pay attention to the little things that will help a contestant improve. They can stand out.

Swimsuit: will move quickly. 15 seconds onstage. First impressions count. Does she own the room? Does the suit wear her or does she wear the suit?

statement of physical fitness. Have they done the best they can do with what they have? Are they fit for their size? Are they comfortable on stage? Does the suit complement their body type?

Be aware of different body types. She needs to take this competition seriously. Tone is important. Be healthy, exercise and respect your own body. Preparing for every phase of competition is swimsuit. Is the body toned? No shortcuts.

Hard to discuss physique with contestants...eating disorders, medical issues, etc. Our bodies are indicative of lifestyle. Must address body issues, but do it sensitively. Use resources for healthy living.

Self-confidence: standing in front of people in a swimsuit.

Evening Wear: First impressions count. Does she own the stage? Is there an element of grace? Does she understand what it means to be lovely? The gown doesn’t have to be expensive, but she has to carry herself well. How does she feel about herself?

Is the girl wearing the gown, or does the gown wear her?

Consignment shops are good sources. Arrogant attitude is a turnoff. Is she graceful?

Poise and grace. Are they connecting with the judges and audience? Is there something that draws you to her?

Does she feel comfortable in her own skin? Choice of gown is important.

Think in terms of average score, then go up or down

On Stage Question: Does she answer the question? She must have an appropriate dress. Want to listen to her answer rather than be distracted by her dress. How does she present herself?

Look at official judging guide.

Is she manageable?

Q&A:

Onstage questions: is it appropriate?
Very important she handle the question. Is she relatable and articulate? Do we want to know more about her? turning question around. “Yes or No”: because.

Paperwork:
Very important. Factual and right. Truthful and done right.
getting caught: contestant’s fault. Take pride in everything you do. Have integrity. Make sure it’s proofed.

Interview:
expose yourself to different panels
public speaking opportunities
carrying on conversation

Q&A

questions up to judge: in good taste. Head judge controls. Interview must make contestant feel confident. Encourage her to grow.

emotions: can be real...judges can steer the conversation.

Fitness:
Plastic surgery: If enhancements are out of control, then judges are against it. Good taste and discretion.

Platform:
Important to be involved in community. Connect activity to platform. Have they been actively involved? How do they express themselves on paper?