Two of my daughters were Ohio royalty and loved their experience with Cinderella. Today, Ohio state director, Judy Kyees, will share some of her insights into this pageant system.
Judy Kyees is from Westerville, Ohio and has been involved in the world of pageantry for over forty years. She is a former pageant contestant herself, and has been a mentor/coach to hundreds of pageant hopefuls over the years. She has had the honor of coaching contestants who have captured State, National and International titles in the Miss America, Miss USA, Teen USA, Teen/Miss/Mrs. International, Mrs. America, Cinderella International, National Teenager, National Pre-Teen, and United States Teen to name a few. She has also had a prominent hand in helping several aspiring singer/dancer/actors to achieve their dreams of becoming professional entertainers. Her clients have gone on to perform on Broadway, national tours, Disney-Tokyo, King’s Island, Opryland as well as numerous cruise ship, casino shows, and many regional theater productions. She has been the director of the Miss Columbus Teen Pageant for the past 9 years. In that time, the organization has awarded over $20,000 in scholarships and prizes. Judy has also been the director for the Cinderella pageant in the state of Ohio for the past 7 years, where every year she has had Top 10, Top 5 and international winners.
About the Cinderella Pageant
The Cinderella Scholarship Pageant was founded in 1976 and is divided into five age categories: Cinderella Tot (age3-6); Cinderella Miniature Miss (ages 7-9); Cinderella Miss (ages 10-12); Cinderella Teen (ages 13-17); and Cinderella Woman (ages 18-26 married or single). Also included are baby divisions: Cinderella Infant (0-11 months); Cinderella Baby (12-23 months); Cinderella Tiny Tot (24-35 months); and Prince Charming (boys ages 0-6).
Cinderella is based on a three tiered system of competition. Participants start out at the local level and based on their level of performance can advance to the state level of competition (or national level in a foreign country) and then proceed to the final level of competition, the International Pageant.
More than just a beauty pageant, Cinderella is a youth development scholarship program that has awarded millions of dollars in its 30+ year history; and offers many opportunities for achievement and recognition to deserving children, teens and young adults.
Unique with the pageant is the official Cinderella Runway/Modeling Music with electronic tones and signals designed to aid participants in their onstage modeling presentations.
Judy stressed that the modeling in Cinderella is very natural. There are no routines or anything flashy about it. At each preliminary competition, there is a workshop for the contestants to learn the walking style and pattern with the music before the pageant begins. “It’s so easy that even a three year old can do it,” Judy says.
In a Letter from the President on the Cinderella website, Fred Vollmann states “In Cinderella we are searching for a natural, unaffected young lady to represent our program. She should be charming and personable; well groomed and poised; self-confident; but above all have the character, humility and inner beauty that sets her apart as a leader. A Cinderella winner is at ease in a crowd and is respectful of those around her. Her manners and dress are age appropriate. It is important to note that the concept of “beauty” in Cinderella is defined as a person’s inner beauty and strength of character combined with her personal achievements in at least one area of the performing arts as well as her ability to communicate with others. Cinderella does not place emphasis on physical beauty, but rather seeks to promote the beautiful inner person that should reside in everyone.”
Tips from Judy:
- Stay natural in everything- in your movement, presentation, andappearance.
- Dresses on children ages 0-12 are to be short dresses just above the knee or tea length that have a great fit and are a simple style. No ornate decorations.
- Make up can be worn during talent in all age divisions but just enough to enhance their features under the bright stage lights.
- On children under the age of 13, stage makeup is to be limited to clear lip gloss, a small amount of blush, and a touch of mascara to enhance their natural features under the stage lights. Do not wear makeup for interview. Hair pieces, body/hair glitter, or any artificial devices are not appropriate in Cinderella. The teens and women’s divisions can wear full makeup.
Areas of Competition for the Cinderella Pageant
Talent- 50%
- You’ll have 2:30 minutes to present your talent routine of your choice (drama, vocal, dance, instrumental, gymnastics, baton, novelty, etc.)
- Cinderella Tots will have an on stage interview for their talent score.
Beauty- 50%
This score is the combined total of these three areas:
Interview – 1/3
- Children under 12 will go into meet the panel of judges in groups of five.
- Contestants 13-26, will have a brief one-on-one interview with each judge.
Casual Wear – 1/3
- As Cinderella President Fred Vollman says, “Real clothes on real kids.”
- No blue jeans. You’ll see pant suits on the contestant ages 13-26 and Capri sets on the children under the age of 12. No ornate clothing or props ( hats, purses, etc.)
- Children under 12 will introduce themselves by saying their name, age and where they’re from. No elaborate introductions. The teens and women can share a little more about themselves but it must fit within the allocated timing of the music.
Formal Wear – 1/3
- Short dresses for ages 0-12 and full pageant gowns for 13-26.
In the state of Ohio, preliminary competitions take place across the state through March. http://www.cinderellapageant.com
By Rhonda Shappert
October 21, 2010 05:58
