Queen Pageant Entry Form

2025 Orleans Dogwood Festival Queen Contest

Saturday, April 19, 2025  5 pm

Interview

1.  This event will be judged the morning before the pageant with the judges at the Orleans Elementary School.  Each contestant will speak with the judges separately for five to seven minutes.
   1. Each contestant should be 10 minutes early to their scheduled interview time.  If a contestant is late for their interview, the judges will see them after all contestants have been interviewed IF time allows it and judges agree to interview that contestant.
   2. Points will be taken off if the contestant is not there by their interview time.
2. Attire: Solid black pants or skirt; solid white top (blouse, jacket, etc) because this is the attire required at the state level.  A blazer needs to be worn with interview attire along with closed toe shoes and if you choose to wear a skirt, pant hose are to be worn.  Whatever is worn for the interview should also be worn for the on-stage portion as this looks more unison.
3. This event will be judged on your personality, ability to converse, and poise and professional attire.

The contestants will be scored on a scale from 0-50 during the interview judging.

Interview Wear

1. This will be the first event judged in the pageant.  Each contestant will walk on stage in their interview wear for their introduction.  Contestants need to wear the same attire they wore for their interview.  In the past, contestants could wear a different outfit on stage, but interview wear needs to be the exact same for both.
2. Attire: Solid black pants or skirt; solid white top (blouse, jacket, etc).  A suit does not have to be of the same fabric – separates are allowed.  No midriff showing is permitted on stage during interview stage presence.
3. This event will be judged on posture, poise, attire, and overall impression.

The contestant will be scored on a scale from 0-15 during the interview wear judging.

Fun Fashion Wear

1. This will be the second event judged on stage.  Each contestant will walk on stage in their choice of fun fashion attire.  This outfit should also be pre-approved the week before the pageant.  This portion will be so the contestants can express their personality, style, and/or interests.
2. Attire: hobbies, sports, interests, etc.
3. Contestants should look put together and treat this portion as “fun” and “expressive”, but still professional and themed.  If props are used, they can be held and not used or demonstrated in any way.

The contestants will be scored on a scale from 0-15 during the on-stage question judging.

Festival Wear

1. This will be the third event judged on stage.  Each contestant should wear an outfit that represents, the Dogwood festival, props can also be held, but not used or demonstrated in any way.
2. This portion is meant to be “fun” and “creative” along with showing honor to our festival.
3. Each contestant will be asked a question about the Dogwood Festival on stage in their “festival wear”.

The contestants will be scored on a scale form 0-10 during the on stage portion of judging.

The contestants will be scored on a scale from 0-20 during the on stage question judging.

Evening Gown

1. This will be the fourth event judged on stage.
2. When choosing a formal gown, at least one portion of the hemline must be floor length (touching the floor or contestant’s foot).  A gown with the skirt split above the knee (more than 2″ above the knee), a low-cut bodice and/or cut/design is inappropriate for the State pageant and may be discounted by the judges at the Dogwood pageant.  A picture of the evening gown needs to be sent in by the week before the pageant or contestants will not be eligible to compete.  The dress sent in must be the one worn on stage the night of the pageant.

The contestants will be scored on a scale form 0-15 during the evening gown judging.

On-Stage Question

1. This will during the first event (interview wear) judged on stage.
2. While onstage in evening gown, each contestant will be asked to answer a question.  The question will be chosen by the judges and will be different for every contestant.  It will not be disclosed to thet contestants until on stage.

The contestants will be scored on a scale form 0-20 during the on stage question judging.

Sponsorship

1. Each contestant is required to have a minimum of five $20 sponsors.  You may have any business or persons you wish to sponsor you.  You will be responsible for collecting and turning in your own money.  Please have any change turned into dollars.  All checks should be made payable to the Orleans Chamber of Commerce.  Place all money and your tracking form in an envelope labeled with your name and phone number.
2. The title of Miss Fundraiser and prize for the category will be awarded to the person who brings in the most money.
3. All $20 or more sponsors will be announced on the night of the coronation; however, this will only be applicable to the sponsors who are turned in by 6:30 pm on Friday, April 12th.
4. This portion of the pageant will in no way determine who is chosen as the Orleans Dogwood Queen.  However, in the past this portion awarded the winner an extra 5 points toward their score.  This year there will be NO extra point awarded to the scoresheet.

Practice

We have multiple days of practice including Saturday April 5th @ 6:00pm for the Jr. Miss and Queen contestants ONLY.  Headshots will be taken at this time and instructions for what to wear will be sent out after all applications are turned in.  We will have a practice Friday April 18th @ 4:00pm to allow those involved in after-school activities to make it to at least 1 practice.  This will include ALL contestants.  Contestants do not have to attend both practices, however contestants will be judged on their poise on stage.

Practice -Saturday April 5th is for Jr. Miss and Miss contestants only!

Dogwood Queen Contestant Rules and Regulations

• You must be a student and live within the Orleans School District.  Those who are home schooled are eligible to participate provided that they reside within the school district.  Mid-term graduates, graduates, and exchange students may also participate.
• Jr. Miss Contestants must be between the ages of 13-16.  Queen candidates must be between the ages of 17-22.
• Candidates must have five $20 sponsors.  Checks must be made out to the Orleans Chamber of Commerce.  The deadline for forms, entry fee, and headshot fee is Friday, March 21st and can be mailed to (Emily Qualkenbush at 512 West Quarry Road, Orleans, IN 47452) or bring to Orleans Town Hall to Robert Henderson.
• A candidate cannot have a child or be expecting at the time of the contest.
• Those who are married, have been married or are divorced, are not eligible.
• No parents will be allowed at practice.  Practices will only consist of contestants, chairpersons, emcee, spotlight director, and on-stage coach.
• The Queen, and her court are required to participate in the Festival Parade.  Transportation will be up to the contestant to get for themselves to ride in the parade unless a float is provided for them.
• The queen and her court are required to participate in all Festival events.  The Queen will serve as the hostess of the festival.  A complete schedule of events will be provided.  A complete schedule of events will be provided.
• If there are ANY problems concerning the Queens and their courts behavior or actions, prior to or during the contest, you will be asked to withdraw the title.  If there are ANY problems concerning your behavior during the festival week, you may be relieved of your crown and all duties.  ALL contestants are expected to act accordingly when representing the Dogwood Festival, the Chamber of Commerce, and the Town of Orleans.
• Candidates and parents are not permitted to confront a judge after the court has been announced.  If this happens, the candidate or parent will be asked to leave.  They will not be welcomed back next year.  The decision of the judges is FINAL.
• The contestant that is crowned in the Queen division as the Dogwood Queen is to attend the Indiana State Festival Association Pageant.  More details on thsi will be provided at the night of the pageant.
• If you have any questions concerning these rules, please contact the contestant co-chairpersons:  Emily Qualkenbush; Event Chair, 812.278.4681.  Ashley McDonald; Event Co. Chair, 812.653.0255
• There will also be a $5 headshot fee that is due at the time of the application.  This fee will go towards the contestant’s headshot that will be provided.  PLEASE TURN IN THIS MONEY WITH THE APPLICATION!
• I hereby agree to abide by the rules and regulations of the Dogwood Festival Queen Contest set forth by the contest committee and agree that the decision of the judges is final.