MISS CAROLINA CARDINAL 2025 STATE PAGEANT

Phases of Competition

Interview- (All Ages) This will be conducted with a panel of three judges. Interview is a small amount of time for the judges to get to know the contestant. We consider the interview to be a light-hearted conversation with the judges. We ask simple questions about the contestant and get to know them in a casual setting. Attire is an outfit of your choice. Youngest four divisions are two minutes, and the older divisions are five minutes.

Outfit of Choice- (Baby-Young ONLY) This is a casual outfit of your choice and can be any theme you wish. This is a fun way to show the judges who you are. This should be age appropriate (minimal middrift) and natural styling. Judges are looking for confidence and stage presence. 

Onstage Question- (Junior-Miss ONLY) This is one question onstage that is simple, and generally about the individual contestant. No political or controversial questions will be asked. It could be something listed on paperwork. The attire for this will be the same as the opening number.

Fitness- (Mini-Miss) This is just an opportunity to be onstage and model fitness wear. Fitness wear will be provided by the State Pageant. Judges are looking for stage presence, confidence, poise, and personality.

Regional Wear- (All Ages) This is an outfit that represents your state region based on your title. For Example: If you are Miss Beach Town, a famous lighthouse would be a great idea or the Wright brothers/First in Flight. Your outfit must be approved by the state director. The idea of your attire must be approved and submitted before purchasing anything to be sure no one wears the same thing. Judges are looking for stage presence, confidence, modeling skills, and poise.

Beauty- (All Ages) Baby and toddler contestants are asked to wear natural/semi-glitz, babydoll style dresses. Mini-Miss contestants are asked to wear floor length gowns. Please keep makeup age appropriate. Judges are looking for style, grace, poise, onstage projection, and modeling skills.

Optional Competitions/Awards

Photogenic- Photogenic entries should be a headshot only (from the shoulders up) and should be an 8x10 or 8.5x11 in color. All competition photos should be submitted at registration. No full glitz photos. You may enter additional photos with a limit of 3 total.

Platform Essay- This award is open to all ages. This award will be given based on your work with your platform over the past year. We want to see that you are out in your community working your platform and that you are committed and have a passion for what you support. Your platform should be something that you spend time supporting and volunteering for. To qualify for this award, you will need to complete a short essay by answering the questions provided.

All entries must be submitted in advance to cardinalpageants@gmail.com by …

Cardinal Service- This award is open to all ages. Community service is near and dear to our hearts here at Carolina Cardinal. Our titles are more than just another crown to sit on your shelf and another title to hold. To qualify for the Cardinal Service award, please complete the service log attached to the contestant paperwork.

People’s Choice- We require all contestants to decorate a shoe box for people’s choice money collection. You can decorate it any way you choose, please make sure your name and picture are visible on the outside. Do not wrap, glue, or tape boxes closed.

         All contestants are also required to bring an auction basket. This is PER CONTESTANT! If you have a sibling that is also competing, you will both need to bring a basket. Each basket should be a minimum of a $40 value.

Total money collected from boxes, baskets, ad sales and online voting will be tallied at 12:00, immediately following beauty. The 1 contestant with the most money collected will be crowned Ambassador Carolina Cardinal and will reign on the 2025 Miss Carolina Cardinal Court.

Congeniality- Voted on by contestants. Given to the contestant who is thought to be the most friendly and helpful.

Each division will have a first runner up, and division winner. Winner must return the following year and crown a successor. If the winner cannot fulfill their duties the first runner up will be appointed.