What is a Community Service Initiative?
Miss America’s Community Service Initiative (CSI) is an integral part of the interview phase of competition, supporting one of the branded elements of Miss America as outlined by the “Four Points” of the crown. The “Four Points” are Style, Scholarship, Service and Success. CSI is specific to the SERVICE point of the crown. The CSI initiative allows you, as a participating Delegate, to showcase and deploy your interests and creativity, to outline a plan or effort to engage within your local community or state existing programs. You may also design your own program for your community or state. You advocate for this Community Service Initative throughout your service term.
Phases of Competition
Both Teen and Miss delegates will compete in these phases of competition. She may not be the best speaker, the most talented, or the most charismatic, but she should possess ALL of those qualities and abilities, because all of those qualities are required to fulfill her role and responsibilities.
Each delegate participates in an individual 30 second opening, 9 minute press conference-style interview, and 30 second closing statement with a panel of judges. Delegates are questioned on their background as presented on their fact sheet, their educational and career goals, their opinions on current events and social issues, their service initiative, and their interests, hobbies and extracurricular activities.
The private interview is designed to
- ability to fulfill the qualifications, responsibilities, duties, and term of the titleholder.
- personal qualities and attributes relevant to the titleholder position.
- commitment to her community service initiative or CSI.
ability to express her own beliefs in an authentic and relatable manner. - sense of accomplishments /goals above and beyond the fact sheet.
- spontaneity, intelligence, sense of humor, charm and charisma.
- authenticity and ability to answer questions in a conversational, unrehearsed manner.
- ability to serve as a role model and if she is reflective of her generation.
Scoring is based on
This phase of competition is an opportunity to learn as much as possible about the candidate’s qualities and attributes to fulfill the titleholder position; her level of communication skills; her opinions and aspirations; her sense of accomplishment; poise and presence, as well as her ability to fulfill the responsibilities as a title holder. Candidates should possess a confident personality and the ability to express and articulate her views. She should have thorough knowledge and understanding of her Social Impact Initiative and have a commitment to community service. She should also be stylish in an age- appropriate manner.
The Private Interview allows insight into the delegate’s
- Ability to fulfill the qualifications, responsibilities, duties, and term of the titleholder.
- Personal qualities and attributes relevant to the titleholder position.
- Commitment to her community service initiative or CSI.
- Ability to express her own beliefs in an authentic and relatable manner.
- Sense of accomplishments /goals above and beyond the fact sheet.
- Spontaneity, intelligence, sense of humor, charm, and charisma.
- Authenticity and ability to answer questions in a conversational, unrehearsed manner.
- Ability to serve as a role model and if she is reflective of her generation.
Private Interview Scoring Considerations
- Before placing the score on the sheet, the judge should consider, “What was my first impression when the candidate walked into the Interview and what was my impression as soon as she left the room?” This will be the impressions people who meet her will have when she is introduced to them at an appearance.
- Assess how natural she is and whether or not she will be able to relate to her peers and the audiences she will serve.
- Does she have a strong ability to communicate?
- Examine her personality, is it warm, relatable, and confident?
- Does she really understand her Social Impact Initiative and how it can benefit the our community and impact the Miss America brand.
- Determine whether or not she has the knowledge and commitment to her community needed in this role.
- Can you envision the public and especially young people, being positively impacted by meeting this young women?
- Is the candidate charismatic enough, dynamic enough, and mature enough to be an ambassador for our program in the community?
The preliminary conversation question should be a single question asked onstage regarding the Delegate’s Community Service Initiative (CSI) and response should not be longer than 30 seconds.
The on-stage conversation
- Commitment to the Service point of the crown.
- Unique perspective on community service and it’s local impact.
- Desire to create interest in her community service initiatives.
- Brings the interview to the stage in an interactive engaging way to showcase each delegate.
- Highlights intelligence, personality, charisma, and aptitude for the titleholder’s opportunity.
- Allows a look at the sense of composure in presenting ideas on stage.
- Allows a look at interactivity with the panelists and the audience.
Scoring is based on
- Overall first impression
- Extemporaneous response to on-stage question
- Did the delegate 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?
The primary purpose is to engage the audience in a conversational perspective on the delegate’s ability to have a extemporaneous conversation or respond authentically to a question in a manner befitting a brand ambassador or state representative.
To underscore the Miss America and Miss America’s Teen commitment to supporting performance arts education initiatives and women’s individual efforts in dance, music, opera/vocal, drama, magic, oratory and circus arts, delegates perform a 90-second routine of their own choosing. Read more about HERStory on the Miss America website.
The Talent phase allows insight into the delegate’s:
- Preparatory, performance or storytelling skills.
- Overall presentation skills and ability to deliver a captivating presentation.
- Interpretive ability and entertainment value relative to category of performance art.
- Stage presence, on-stage personality, and personal connection to her story.
- Allows a look at the totality of the performance elements of on-stage presentation.
- Ability to capture the attention of an audience while performing on stage.
Scoring is based on
Talent selection and performance distinguishes a candidate’s skills and personality, creative interpretation, technical skill level (execution, technique, synchronization, control). Candidates should have a strong stage presence and on-stage personality. The totality of all elements (including costume, props, voice, use of body, choreography) is scored.
Judges will evaluate each performance talent or HERStory based on:
- How engaging and compelling is the contestant’s story or talent?
- How effectively does a contestant connect with audience on an emotional or entertaining level?
- Do they convey their story or demonstrate a talent skill with skill and confidence?
- How powerfully does the contestant deliver their story or demonstrate their talent? Are they able to engage the audience and maintain their attention throughout the performance?
Delegate will publicly present her sense of Style wearing an evening gown in a fashion suitable for an appearance as Teen/Miss Local/Miss State. Part of a titleholder’s role is to attend galas, fundraisers, awards shows, and other formal events. This often involves walking a red carpet, posting for the press photographers, modeling in fashion shows, promoting various national fashion designers who partner with Miss America or Miss America’s Teen programs.
The evening gown portion allows insight into the delegate’s
- Ability to capture attention on stage, and individual stage presence.
- Comfort, confidence, and composure.
- Overall impression of ability to represent the Miss America or Miss America’s Teen Organization at a high profile event.
- Note: Neither the gown itself nor the estimated cost of the gown should be considered in scoring.
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
This phase of competition is where the delegate showcases her commitment to health and fitness initiatives. A delegate’s discipline and commitment to being physically healthy is a key to success in all other areas of life, and the rigors of representing the Miss America or Miss America’s Teen program as a national titleholder. This phase of competition is performed as a choreographed fitness wear modeling routine and all delegates must wear red Rebel athletic wear available for purchase at here RebelAthletic.com
The Health & Fitness portion allows insight into
- The delegate’s comfort and confidence level on stage.
- The delegate’s overall impression of health and physical fitness commitment.
- On stage presentation and energy, comfort in front of an audience, confidence.
- The delegate’s spontaneity, and lack of “robotic” stage presentation.
- Ability to determine if delegate could serve as national health/fitness ambassador.
Local Titleholder Description
We are seeking a Miss and Teen to represent Clovis, Fresno, and Fresno County throughout the year.
Our organization values are: kindness, humility, communication, and teamwork
The ideal titleholder will:
- Be an ambassador of the Miss America organization in our local community throughout the year
- Be Community Service oriented and dedicated to her year as a titleholder as indicated in the local titleholder expectations affidavit.
- Exemplify Initiative in promoting her service initiative and the Miss America brand through in-person events, sponsorship meetings, and social media postings.
- Be a proponent of kindness, humility, personal growth, open communication, and open-mindedness throughout her year of service.
- Be committed to working in a team both with her sister titleholders and director.
Examples of duties:
- Be an Active Member of the community by attending grand openings, parades, schools, chamber of commerce events, sponsor meetings, photo opportunities, pop-up meet-n-greets to which she has been invited or scheduled to appear.
- Exhibit Role Modelship for local youth by taking photos and speaking with them about your service initiative and issues important to them.
- Welcome opportunities to enhance Interview / Public Speaking skills with the goal to prepare oneself for future career goals and aspirations.
- Foster Relationships with sponsors & community stakeholders with the goal of networking for future career opportunities, engaging with women owned businesses, and/or local governance opportunities.
- Promote her Service Initiative.
- Learn and develop Social Media presence by creating self-generated social media content.
- Be an Ambassador of the Miss America brand.
Availability:
Titleholders should be available on weekends and occasional weeknights for community events and appearances. Every attempt to pre-plan and schedule events with 2-week notice will be made; however, some events or appearances may be requested with less than two weeks’ notice at the request of Miss California or sponsors. We respect your schedule and will work with you.