HAVE QUESTIONS?
Please do not hesitate to contact us via email or by phone. Here is a list of Frequently Asked Questions that may help you along the way.
Q: What is the Platform?
ANSWER: In 1989, the Miss America Organization 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 America and the state titleholders use their stature to address community service organizations, business and civic leaders, the media and others about their platform issues. Since 1989, Miss America titleholders have appeared at thousands of public speaking engagements and charitable events to generate awareness for a variety of causes, including homelessness, HIV/AIDS prevention, domestic violence, diabetes awareness, character education, literacy, etc.
Q: What does Miss Illinois do after she is selected?
ANSWER: After Miss Illinois is selected she embarks on a year-long national speaking tour. As a national spokesperson and advocate, Miss Illinois travels approximately 20,000 miles a year, to a different city almost every other day, addressing diverse audiences, increasing awareness and promoting her chosen platform as well as the CHARACTER COUNTS! program, Triple Threat Mentoring and Right Decisions Right Now.
Q: How old do I have to be to compete in the Miss America system?
ANSWER: Contestants in the Miss Illinois system are between the ages of 17 and 24. For more information on becoming a contestant in the Miss Illinois system click here.
Q: Can I represent my state at the national Miss America Competition more than once?
ANSWER: To become Miss America, a contestant must first win a local competition and then compete to represent her state, a process requiring personal commitment, hard work and talent. A woman may compete at the state level more than once, but may only represent her state in the national Miss America competition one time.
Q: Is there an entry fee to compete in the Miss Illinois system?
ANSWER: No, there is not an entry fee to compete in the Miss America system. For more information about becoming a contestant click here.
Q: Is the Miss America program different than Miss USA?
ANSWER: Yes. In 1952, Catalina Swimsuits founded the Miss USA and Miss Universe pageants as product promotion tools. Developed by the Miss America Organization, the Miss America program exists to provide personal and professional opportunities for young women to promote their voices in culture, politics and the community. Almost all contestants have either received, or are in the process of earning college or postgraduate degrees and utilize Miss America scholarship grants to further their educations. The Miss America Organization is the leading provider of scholarships for young women in the world. Although some young women compete in both Miss America and Miss USA, the two systems are completely separate.
Q: Are scholarships available for those who are not awarded a title?
ANSWER: Yes. There are all types of scholarships available at the local, state and national levels of competition. Even if you do not win a title you are still eligible for scholarship assistance. The Miss America Organization is the leading provider of scholarships for young women in the world. Each year, the organization makes available more than $40 million in cash and tuition scholarship assistance.
Q: I have not been competing since I was a child, do I have a chance of becoming Miss America?
ANSWER: Yes. Most titleholders have not competed in pageant systems long before being awarded a local title and scholarship money. In her first year of competition, Miss America 2002 Katie Harman won a local title and went on to become the first runner-up to Miss Oregon. The following year she won another local, was selected as Miss Oregon and went on to become Miss America 2002 with only 2 years of competition experience. Katie entered the Miss America system solely for the scholarship money and in 2 years has earned more than $75,000 in scholarships to assist in furthering her education.
Q: What are the competition categories?
ANSWER: Preliminary competition includes Artistic Expression (Talent); Presentation and Community Achievement (Interview); Presence and Poise (Evening Wear); and Lifestyle and Fitness (Swimsuit). The final night of competition includes the Lifestyle and Fitness, Presence and Poise; Peer Respect and Leadership; Artistic Expression; and Top Five Knowledge and Understanding competitions.
Q: How do I request an autograph of the current Miss Illinois?
ANSWER: Please send an 8 x 10 self-addressed stamped envelope and $3.00 to:
The Miss Illinois Scholarship Association, Inc.
4140 Peartree Drive
Lake in the Hills, IL 60156
Attn: Autographs
Q: How do I request the current Miss Illinois for an appearance?
ANSWER: To request an appearance by the current Miss Illinois please fax your letter of request on letterhead to the Manager of Personal Appearances at 847-658-0769. Please include a contact name, phone number, fax number and the date you are requesting Miss Illinois to appear. Or you can visit the request an appearance page on our website.
Q: How can I become a volunteer?
ANSWER: On an annual basis, Miss America state and local titleholders, along with the Organization's network of volunteers, participate in more than 12,000 community service projects, providing in excess of 500,000 service hours to worthy causes. Please email ILStateDir@missillinois.org
Q: How can I start a competition affiliated with the Miss Illinois Organization?
ANSWER: Direct an email with your name, address and telephone number to ILStateDir@missillinois.org
Sign up for the Miss Illinois e-mail list on the top left corner of our website homepage.
Q: Where can I buy Official Miss Illinois Merchandise and Photos?
ANSWER: Shop for Miss America memorabilia here.
Q: How can I become a judge in the Miss Illinois system?
ANSWER: Direct an email with your name, address and telephone number to ILStateDir@missillinois.org and your information will be forwarded to the Judges Chairman.
Q: How can I receive periodic updates from the Miss Illinois Scholarship Organization?
ANSWER: On an annual basis, Miss America state and local titleholders, along with the Organization's network of volunteers, participate in more than 12,000 community service projects, providing in excess of 500,000 service hours to worthy causes. Please email ILStateDir@missillinois.org
For more information regarding the Miss Illinois Scholarship Association, please contact Amalia Schwerdtmann at (847) 997-0294 or e-mail ilstatedir@missillinois.org