AREAS OF COMPETITION

The Texas Beauties of America Pageant is a traditional beauty pageant, which also celebrates the achievements of today’s modern American woman. Young ladies and women ages 13 and older are eligible to compete in the Texas Beauties of America Pageant. State titleholders are selected by competing in the areas of Private Interview, Fitness, Evening Gown and Photogenic.

Titleholders are selected by competing in the area of Private Interview, Fitness, Evening Gown and Photogenic.  Each area of competition is described in further detail below.

OPENING PRODUCTION NUMBER (not scored)
The Texas Beauties of America Pageant includes a professionally produced opening number. Delegates wear attire as specified by Texas Beauties of America. All contestants are required to wear a red cocktail dress, silver rhinestone earrings and silver strapped heels.   

PERSONAL INTERVIEW COMPETITION (40%)



Texas Beauties of America titleholders must be articulate and possess inner beauty, as well as outer beauty.  They must have a sense of confidence and purpose, and be able to communicate effectively, while being able to manage the responsibility of being a Texas Beauties of America titleholder.

• Personal interviews are conducted panel style, and are five (5) minutes in length.
• Delegates wear a suit, pantsuit, cocktail suit or dress for this event.
• Delegates will be asked questions based on the official application that is in the delegates Contestant Handbook and submitted by each delegate.  Delegates will not be asked questions of a controversial nature.  However, the interview may include questions about current events and other timely topics.
• Judging Criteria:  Personality, communication skills, character, fashion sense and beauty.           

FITNESS COMPETITION (25%)


Texas Beauties of America titleholders must exemplify the physically fit modern American woman. They must exude confidence, enthusiasm and graceful carriage on stage. A separate award will be presented to the delegate in each division who receives the highest overall fitness score.

• Delegates will be judged on overall fitness and muscle tone, proportion, beauty of face and figure, poise, eye contact, grace and fashion sense. Delegates will be judged in fitness based on the required attire for her age division.
• Delegates will not be allowed to wear white swimwear or aerobic wear.  Other than the aforementioned; each delegate must supply her own fitness competition wardrobe with her own personal style and color choice (omitting white).  Small studs or hoop earrings may be worn as a part of delegates’ fitness competition wardrobe.
• Judging Criteria:  Overall fitness and muscle tone, proportion, beauty of face and figure, poise, eye contact, grace and fashion sense.

Teens & 20’s delegates – Swimsuit; this may be a one or two piece suit.  However, all swimwear must be in good taste and approved by the state office no later than three weeks before the pageant.  Delegates must wear clear or taupe heels with no platform. No thongs or cover-ups allowed.  Delegates may wear sheer hose with their fitness wear attire, if they so choose.

30’s, 40’s and 50’s and up – Aerobic Wear; this may be a full or a two piece aerobic outfit.  Aerobic wear must be worn with white athletic shoes.  Delegates may wear sheer hose with their aerobic wear if they so choose.

EVENING GOWN COMPETITION (25%)


Texas Beauties of America titleholders must project grace, style and sophistication. Each delegate selects her own evening gown. Their choice should reflect their own personality and style. The monetary value of the gown is not a consideration for judging.

• Gowns must be floor length; however, they may have a train or be longer in the back and shorter in the front.
• Teens may wear fitted gowns or gowns with full skirts.
• Judging Criteria:  Overall appearance, beauty, poise, stage presence, fashion sense and delegate’s ability to project comfortable elegance.

PHOTOGENIC COMPETITION (10%)

Texas Beauties of America titleholders must represent the beautiful, modern American woman. A delegate's ability to project well in a photograph is important, as Texas Beauties of America titleholders may appear in major Texas and possibly National Beauties of America advertising campaigns, be photographed at appearances and more.

• Photogenic is judged from the photo submitted for the official Texas Beauties of America state program book.
• Delegates must submit 2 - 5 x 7 color photos, of the same pose, printed vertically.
• Photo must be a headshot only (no hands), taken recently.
• Photo should be professional and of good quality.
• Photos must be turned in to the state office no later than May 15 , 2009.
• Photos will not be returned to delegate.
• Judging Criteria:  Beauty, photogenic appeal, photo clarity and quality, warmth and personality projection.

OPTIONAL COMPETITIONS / ADDITIONAL AWARDS
Texas Beauties of America titles are awarded based solely on the above outlined areas of competition. However, Texas Beauties of America offers delegates additional opportunities to qualify for a variety of special awards. These awards have no bearing on the final outcome of the pageant.

Program Book Ad Sales Appreciation Award
This award is given to one delegate in the entire pageant who sells the most full page ads (past two), in the 2009 program book; a tie will not be recognized.  Delegates may purchase the program book advertising or may seek sponsorship to cover the costs. The design of the advertisement and photos that the delegate chooses to include in the advertisement is at the delegate's discretion. However, all photos and advertising layouts must be in good taste.  All additional ads are full page color ads and sell for $300.00.  No other ad sizes are available.

People’s Choice Award
For $1.00 per vote, the audience votes on their choice for a best headshot photo.   This competition takes place at the pageant only.  The contestant whose photo raises the most money receives the award. There is no additional fee or paperwork to qualify for this award.  All delegates are eligible for this award.

Pageantry Spirit Award
This award is given to one delegate in the entire pageant who the other delegates feel exhibits the true spirit of pageant competition. This is the delegate who the other delegates vote on as the most congenial, pleasant, helpful and with the most positive attitude throughout the pageant.  There is no additional fee or paperwork to qualify for this award.