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MISS
OCEAN™ CONTEST
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ABOUT
BEAUTY COMPETITIONS
Maybe the Miss Ocean Pageant is right for you, but you
have more questions. Remember, Miss Ocean is not about beauty,
it is about caring for the health of our oceans
and promoting Blue
Growth around the world. These are some of the commonly asked questions from
contestants new to pageants:-
1. What do I need to do to compete in my first pageant?
For a Miss Ocean (preliminary selection and final) pageant, you will compete in various phases of competition including:
A garment that is suitable to demonstrate aquatic skills, Evening Gown, Talent and Onstage Question. You will need either a one piece or two piece swimsuit, whichever makes you feel most comfortable and confident, and any accessories you want to use to show off your personality. You will also need an evening gown that you feel comfortable in and any costume or outfit that fits your talent for your performance. For
the preliminary judge’s interview, you will need an appropriate interview dress/suit of your choice. We'd suggest the same dress for the public (live) interview on
stage - so that you get used to it.
Each contestant must submit a fact sheet, which is similar to a resume and will give the judges an opportunity to get to know you
better before they meet you. Each contestant will also submit a
'Platform Statement' with information about her chosen platform, or passion project, and how she will commit to advancing that
Platform as a hopeful. Contestants will also be asked to submit a headshot for the judges book.
Be sure to bring makeup and hair products for both the interview and for stage. Most contestants bring a hand mirror or floor mirror and extension cord in case the venue does not provide them. Bring a robe, comfortable clothing, and sneakers for morning rehearsals. The most important thing to bring for a pageant is a smile,
a good attitude, and excitement for a new opportunity.
2. I don’t know if pageants are for me? What are the benefits?
One of the major benefits of competing for the Miss Ocean title is the opportunity to represent marine animals, where they cannot speak for themselves. Aside from the opportunity to compete for the title, your role as Miss
Ocean gives you public speaking and communication skills and the opportunity to meet influential people and influence decision makers, as much as you'll have the
opportunity to speak to the public at events - so spreading awareness about causes you wish to promote.
If you don't have any speaking experience, you might consider
joining your local Toastmasters
for some friendly low budget coaching.
Competing also teaches you essential life skills, particularly the interview portion, which challenges you to have a working knowledge of current events and enables you to vocalize your thoughts and opinions in a professional settings. Being in pageants also surrounds you with other young women - at national and eventually at international level - that are well-rounded, talented, intelligent, and civic-minded, which can push you to your fullest potential. You are likely to form life-long friendships and networks amongst contestants.
There is likely to be a cash prize and travel expenses during
tours of duty. This has yet to be agreed with sponsors and
other associates.
3. Is it really worth the money I will put out for preparation and wardrobe?
The Miss Ocean contest is not a “winner-takes-all” event, but rather each contestant that competes, even if she does not win a title, can still leave with a once in a lifetime experience that is sure to bolster a
CV, may be a springboard to film or other media opportunities, or otherwise benefit a contestant in her professional career. There are talent awards, interview awards, swimsuit awards,
congeniality awards. You do not need to have the most expensive gown or interview dress to win a pageant. It is about the
woman in the gown, not the gown.
4. Do I need to have a talent? What if I can’t sing or dance? Can I still compete?
There is a talent competition which is worth 10% of your score
at face value but may influence the overall impression given
to the judges. Many successful contestants in other beauty events have competed with talents other than singing and dancing, including comedic monologue, poetry recitation, instrumental performance, and acrobatic routines.
We will be impressed with diving qualifications just as much
as with creative skills such as illustration, painting or even
writing.
5. What is a platform?
A platform is a social issue that you as a contestant, have decided to dedicate your year of service to highlighting. For many women it is an issue that is close to their heart. The applicable platforms are given with examples, but there is scope for carving your own
specialist niche. This is your opportunity to talk policy makers and corporations throughout the course of the coming year to really make a difference. Be sure to be well versed on your topic as it is usually discussed at
some length in your interview.
6. Will someone be helping me or mentoring me along the way?
Contestants that may have won other local (national) or
international titles will most probably already have a Local Director who volunteers to mentor and coach their titleholder throughout the year.
The Miss Ocean pageant does not at this stage assist with
mentors. Local Directors from other events may help you out,
but you can always contact us by email or telephone for
specific clarification as to wardrobe, talent selection, and
platform and the private interviews can be used as a mock-up
rehearsal if you would want to request another try as practice for the Miss Ocean Pageant.
7. Is this as competitive as it seems? Are the girls nice or not?
Every pageant is essentially a competition and you are
competing in the broadest sense. Not every young woman will leave with a crown, but every woman will leave with the experience of a lifetime and a place as a competitor for all to see. Girls that compete in contests like these
usually become life-long friends and form bonds that span far longer than their years competing. Networks from pageants are useful to
entrepreneurial types, academics (in this case because of the
purpose of the events) and even those considering a show business
career. With all the experience you will gain you may decide to start their own business, become a politician or actor.
8. What questions are asked in interview?
In the private judges interview, judges are instructed to ask contestants whatever they see
fit to help the contestant. Generally, judges genuinely want to get to know each competitor because they are charged with choosing the best young woman for the job. Contestants should be ready to verbalize their opinions on current event topics, explain any point on their fact sheet, and answer any questions regarding their personal platforms.
In the stage interview, you will already know where you are
going from the rehearsal.
Nobody knows you better than you know yourself and it is not about knowing all of the answers, but rather how you articulate the answers. The private judges interview is
typically 10 minutes long. You should have a strong closing
statement worked out for the last 30 seconds of both
interviews. The 30 second statement can consist of a wrap-up of your interview or detail a point that you want the judges to know about you that you were not able to talk about during the duration of the interview.
Practice makes perfect, so the more experience you have, the more at ease you will be when it comes to answering questions.
If you have further questions regarding your eligibility you can contact
Christina or
Terry:
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