TRAINING RESOURCE LIBRARY
(In process of updating for 2024 state competition)
As you look through this page please note the color-coded headings:
GREEN - opportunities (promotional, building your brand)
AQUA - local titleholder help
BLUE - information as you prep for the state competition
ORANGE - Miss Texas competition week details
PURPLE - Events
RED - Resources
Contents - For pageant week details look for "Look here!" below
The library contains "at-a-glance" articles, videos, and links to provide training and tips for Candidates to utilize during your year. The alphabetical index will assure that you have easy access to information on "everything Miss Texas". These contents will continue to evolve and grow in size and categories.
The library contains "at-a-glance" articles, videos, and links to provide training and tips for Candidates to utilize during your year. The alphabetical index will assure that you have easy access to information on "everything Miss Texas". These contents will continue to evolve and grow in size and categories.
Index of Contents: Click on subjects below
- Ad Pages
See Competition Magazine tab below
- Badges
See Credentials tab below
- Brand AMBASSADOR Guidelines
Brand Ambassador Guidelines
Branding icon and rules
Branding Rules: Miss America branding (crown, sash, logo, etc.) cannot be used except for specific advertising and branding rights. This includes photos and memes using the brand for anything other than official licensed organizations.
The Miss America crown icon (photo below) is based on the M and A initials. Only licensed local organizations may use this branding.
*Important introduction points:
Branding icon and rules
Branding Rules: Miss America branding (crown, sash, logo, etc.) cannot be used except for specific advertising and branding rights. This includes photos and memes using the brand for anything other than official licensed organizations.
The Miss America crown icon (photo below) is based on the M and A initials. Only licensed local organizations may use this branding.
*Important introduction points:
- If you are the current titleholder, you never include the year. You only state the year if you are a past titleholder, as this distinguishes you from the current titleholder.
- Unless you are in the community in which you hold your title, you do NOT introduce yourself as "your Miss Allen". Ex: only if you are in the community of Allen can you be "their" titleholder.
- Communication Updates & Newsletters
- Competition Overview/Details
1. Miss Competition Categories & Information - not updated
2. Teen Competition Categories & Information - not updated
- Competition Week Schedule
Miss Texas Week HANDBOOK - coming soon
Production Schedule plus extra's - coming soon
Tri-fold schedule - coming! This schedule will outline entire week for family, friends, fans, volunteers, etc. and will be at Crown Central during pageant week.
Candidate Schedule - being updated for 2025
Candidate Schedule - being updated for 2025
- Crown and Sash (cleaning, tips)
Crown Clips - keeps your crown secure
- Crown Central
Crown Central Information Desk
Crown Central is located in the main lobby of the Renaissance Conference Center. Helpful information will be available each day of competition week. The booth will be staffed with a fun group of volunteers to help answer any questions and/or guide you to the correct location.
Typical Hours of Operation:
Sunday through Saturday
Daily hours – 9:00am – 5:00pm and Sat (last day) - 9:00am – 11:00am
Crown Central is located in the main lobby of the Renaissance Conference Center. Helpful information will be available each day of competition week. The booth will be staffed with a fun group of volunteers to help answer any questions and/or guide you to the correct location.
Typical Hours of Operation:
Sunday through Saturday
Daily hours – 9:00am – 5:00pm and Sat (last day) - 9:00am – 11:00am
- Credentials (Security Badge).
SECURITY CREDENTIAL (badge):
During competition week there will be times when it is mandatory to have a security badge/credential. They are neccesary to attend events where the Candidates are involved (Talent rehearsals, after-interview meeting, and Visitations after each prelim are a few examples). Each credential will identify the wearer with their name of the local organization, university, or title of the candidate they are supporting. It will also identify the wearers relationship to the candidate (parent, family, director, or friend). This is a nice keepsake.
During competition week there will be times when it is mandatory to have a security badge/credential. They are neccesary to attend events where the Candidates are involved (Talent rehearsals, after-interview meeting, and Visitations after each prelim are a few examples). Each credential will identify the wearer with their name of the local organization, university, or title of the candidate they are supporting. It will also identify the wearers relationship to the candidate (parent, family, director, or friend). This is a nice keepsake.
- Elevator Speech
Communicating Your Why (Creating your own Elevator Speech)
Known as the "elevator speech", this will help you create your own conversation that you can clearly communicate with others, and help you express your WHY as you are talking with your judges in the interview room. This will also come in handy as you meet with people as you gather your personal ad pages for the Competition Magazine. During this session you will learn how to identify what drives you and clearly communicate it to others.
Known as the "elevator speech", this will help you create your own conversation that you can clearly communicate with others, and help you express your WHY as you are talking with your judges in the interview room. This will also come in handy as you meet with people as you gather your personal ad pages for the Competition Magazine. During this session you will learn how to identify what drives you and clearly communicate it to others.
- Events
2025
Spring Showcase - April 25-27
Competition Week - June 21-July 28
Spring Showcase - April 25-27
Competition Week - June 21-July 28
- Fitness COMPETITION VIDEOS
- Headshots
Headshots are your official photo that is posted on the Miss Texas website, social media sites, etc. It features your head and shoulders. It's important that your headshot looks like you!
- Health & Lifestyle
Health & Lifestyle: There is no longer a Fitness competition category, however, having a healthy lifestyle is highly beneficial.
While the specifics of being scored on the physical attributes in swimsuit is not a part of the competition process, attention should still be focused on Health & Lifestyle as a candidate. Whatever your sentiments are about the swimsuit competition, the fact that it is not a scored competition does not mean that you shouldn’t strive to be fit and exhibit that you have a healthy lifestyle. You will feel better, be better able to handle the strenuous schedule of competition week, your clothes will feel (and fit) better, and won’t it feel GOOD to know that you don’t have to be self-conscious about your body?
Perhaps the most important element is the fact that a healthy, fit body translates the fact that you can do the job, which is not for the faint at heart. You can handle the schedule, have the ability to move the way you need to as you do your job, and have the assurance that when you show up for your appearances you will exude “Miss Texas”. The words “Miss America” carry with it a certain pizzazz and expectation. A fit, healthy body goes hand in hand with the title – whether you’re wearing a swimsuit or not!
While the specifics of being scored on the physical attributes in swimsuit is not a part of the competition process, attention should still be focused on Health & Lifestyle as a candidate. Whatever your sentiments are about the swimsuit competition, the fact that it is not a scored competition does not mean that you shouldn’t strive to be fit and exhibit that you have a healthy lifestyle. You will feel better, be better able to handle the strenuous schedule of competition week, your clothes will feel (and fit) better, and won’t it feel GOOD to know that you don’t have to be self-conscious about your body?
Perhaps the most important element is the fact that a healthy, fit body translates the fact that you can do the job, which is not for the faint at heart. You can handle the schedule, have the ability to move the way you need to as you do your job, and have the assurance that when you show up for your appearances you will exude “Miss Texas”. The words “Miss America” carry with it a certain pizzazz and expectation. A fit, healthy body goes hand in hand with the title – whether you’re wearing a swimsuit or not!
- Hostesses (see Lone Star Ladies) Look here!
The Hostess Committees of the Miss Texas Organization is a unique group of women dedicated to serving our Miss and Teen candidates. These committees spend countless volunteer hours working for our organization.
The members of the Hostess Committees serve without pay. Their reward is the personal involvement, the opportunity to be leaders in the MTO family, and pride in the collective accomplishments of the candidates and committees. Each hostess takes a personal interest in her candidates and genuinely adopt them during competition week. Backstage our hostesses are a huge help. They listen with understanding, guide with knowledge, and help the candidates as they move from one competition area to the next.
The Miss hostesses (Lone Star Ladies) will supervise all candidates at all times as the Miss candidates are sequestered. The Hostess Chairman has the authority to establish and maintain standards of conduct to set rules, and govern relationships between candidates and all those who come in contact with them.
The Teen hostesses (Bluebonnets) will supervise Teen candidates, however, since the Teens are not housed, their parents or directors will sign them in and check them out each day. A strict schedule will be followed and teen candidates must always be on time.
The members of the Hostess Committees serve without pay. Their reward is the personal involvement, the opportunity to be leaders in the MTO family, and pride in the collective accomplishments of the candidates and committees. Each hostess takes a personal interest in her candidates and genuinely adopt them during competition week. Backstage our hostesses are a huge help. They listen with understanding, guide with knowledge, and help the candidates as they move from one competition area to the next.
The Miss hostesses (Lone Star Ladies) will supervise all candidates at all times as the Miss candidates are sequestered. The Hostess Chairman has the authority to establish and maintain standards of conduct to set rules, and govern relationships between candidates and all those who come in contact with them.
The Teen hostesses (Bluebonnets) will supervise Teen candidates, however, since the Teens are not housed, their parents or directors will sign them in and check them out each day. A strict schedule will be followed and teen candidates must always be on time.
- Hotel/Housing Look here!
- Interview Look here!
- Job Description/Role Overview (Miss & Teen state winners)
- Judges. Look here!
- Lone Star Ladies Look here!
The Hostess Committees of the Miss Texas Organization is a unique group of women dedicated to serving our Miss and Teen candidates. These committees spend countless volunteer hours working for our organization.
The members of the Hostess Committees serve without pay. Their reward is the personal involvement, the opportunity to be leaders in the MTO family, and pride in the collective accomplishments of the candidates and committees. Each hostess takes a personal interest in her candidates and genuinely adopt them during competition week. Backstage our hostesses are a huge help. They listen with understanding, guide with knowledge, and help the candidates as they move from one competition area to the next.
The Miss hostesses (Lone Star Ladies) will supervise all candidates at all times as the Miss candidates are sequestered. The Hostess Chairman has the authority to establish and maintain standards of conduct to set rules, and govern relationships between candidates and all those who come in contact with them.
The Teen hostesses (Bluebonnets) will supervise Teen candidates, however, since the Teens are not housed, their parents or directors will sign them in and check them out each day. A strict schedule will be followed and teen candidates must always be on time.
The members of the Hostess Committees serve without pay. Their reward is the personal involvement, the opportunity to be leaders in the MTO family, and pride in the collective accomplishments of the candidates and committees. Each hostess takes a personal interest in her candidates and genuinely adopt them during competition week. Backstage our hostesses are a huge help. They listen with understanding, guide with knowledge, and help the candidates as they move from one competition area to the next.
The Miss hostesses (Lone Star Ladies) will supervise all candidates at all times as the Miss candidates are sequestered. The Hostess Chairman has the authority to establish and maintain standards of conduct to set rules, and govern relationships between candidates and all those who come in contact with them.
The Teen hostesses (Bluebonnets) will supervise Teen candidates, however, since the Teens are not housed, their parents or directors will sign them in and check them out each day. A strict schedule will be followed and teen candidates must always be on time.
- Lone Star Princess program
- MAO/MAOTeen fundraising
- Mock Interview Practice - "Do's and Don'ts"
- Modeling - "The Walk"
The WALK!
Your walk is everything because it’s the time the judges and audience get to see your attitude and your personality. Your walk is a time they get to see you as an individual, and not as a group.
Everyone has their own walk. Some girls have more of a “bounce” to their walk, and others who are shorter, smoother, have more rhythm, etc. Take what you have and fine-tune it. Watch yourself on video. You will see what is working and what is not.
Don’t underestimate the importance of the walk! At Spring Seminar, we will have specific training and help for those who want to work on THE WALK!
Your walk is everything because it’s the time the judges and audience get to see your attitude and your personality. Your walk is a time they get to see you as an individual, and not as a group.
Everyone has their own walk. Some girls have more of a “bounce” to their walk, and others who are shorter, smoother, have more rhythm, etc. Take what you have and fine-tune it. Watch yourself on video. You will see what is working and what is not.
Don’t underestimate the importance of the walk! At Spring Seminar, we will have specific training and help for those who want to work on THE WALK!
- Miss Texas Week Schedule. Look here!
See schedule on Candidate Portal page
- On-Stage Interview Look here!
PRELIMINARY onstage interview
--Impact pitch - 30 seconds (this is your Social Impact Initiative (platform) pitch.
--Interview follow-up question - 30 seconds (this is a continuation of the Private Interview. The judge who asks the FIRST question in the candidate’s PrivateInterview will then, immediately upon conclusion of the interview, write the question to be asked of the candidate in this phase, with the directive that said question should be unrelated to her social impact initiative.
FINALS onstage interview (top 10/12)
--Random question (drawn from a bowl) - 30 seconds
FINAL conversation for the job (top 5)
--Impact pitch - 30 seconds
--Follow-up Impact question (from judges) - 30 seconds
--Random question (drawn from a bowl) - 30 seconds
--Impact pitch - 30 seconds (this is your Social Impact Initiative (platform) pitch.
--Interview follow-up question - 30 seconds (this is a continuation of the Private Interview. The judge who asks the FIRST question in the candidate’s PrivateInterview will then, immediately upon conclusion of the interview, write the question to be asked of the candidate in this phase, with the directive that said question should be unrelated to her social impact initiative.
FINALS onstage interview (top 10/12)
--Random question (drawn from a bowl) - 30 seconds
FINAL conversation for the job (top 5)
--Impact pitch - 30 seconds
--Follow-up Impact question (from judges) - 30 seconds
--Random question (drawn from a bowl) - 30 seconds
- Packing List Look here!
Garment Bag
You will need ONE sturdy, zipped dress bag for backstage at the venue. Mark with your name, title, and group letter and number.
Great idea: Sew two garment bags back to back to make one large garment bag. For clarification, the two bags become one bag (because you’ve sewn the backs together) so on both sides of the bag you have two compartments to hang everything. And it's all in one bag!
Mark your contestant number on your garment bag where it can easily be seen.
Tub - see photo of tub at the bottom of the page
What to purchase: The tub should be no larger than 66 quarts. The best one is the Sterilite 66-Quart Clear Storage tub. You can find it at Big Lot, Wal-Mart, Target, Lowe’s, Home Depot, etc. Be sure to mark your NAME, TITLE, GROUP and NUMBER. See photo of tub at the bottom of this page. These items will stay in the dressing room ALL week and will not be moved back and forth.
What to pack for the tub:
Mark every single item with your info – each and every shoe, make-up brush, lip pencil, etc. You will be glad you did! Things can get scattered and messy and you want your items easily identifiable.
Also, please mark contestant number on the lid and on all four sides where the hostesses can easily read it. It should also be written on your garment bag.
Tote Bag
When you check in you will receive a tote bag to be used for small items that you will be transporting between the hotel and the event center. Some girls duplicate items that they want to stay in the tub but also want to have in the hotel room (rather than having to remember what to transfer back and forth).
You will need ONE sturdy, zipped dress bag for backstage at the venue. Mark with your name, title, and group letter and number.
Great idea: Sew two garment bags back to back to make one large garment bag. For clarification, the two bags become one bag (because you’ve sewn the backs together) so on both sides of the bag you have two compartments to hang everything. And it's all in one bag!
Mark your contestant number on your garment bag where it can easily be seen.
Tub - see photo of tub at the bottom of the page
What to purchase: The tub should be no larger than 66 quarts. The best one is the Sterilite 66-Quart Clear Storage tub. You can find it at Big Lot, Wal-Mart, Target, Lowe’s, Home Depot, etc. Be sure to mark your NAME, TITLE, GROUP and NUMBER. See photo of tub at the bottom of this page. These items will stay in the dressing room ALL week and will not be moved back and forth.
What to pack for the tub:
- Shoes, jewelry, hair and make-up items, etc. for competition
- Extension cords and power strip – to be safe
- Make-up mirror
- Any other necessary items you will need in the dressing room
Mark every single item with your info – each and every shoe, make-up brush, lip pencil, etc. You will be glad you did! Things can get scattered and messy and you want your items easily identifiable.
Also, please mark contestant number on the lid and on all four sides where the hostesses can easily read it. It should also be written on your garment bag.
Tote Bag
When you check in you will receive a tote bag to be used for small items that you will be transporting between the hotel and the event center. Some girls duplicate items that they want to stay in the tub but also want to have in the hotel room (rather than having to remember what to transfer back and forth).
- People's Choice Contest Look here!
The People's Choice contest gives your friends, family, and fans an opportunity to vote for YOU. Votes are $1 and people can vote as many times as they want. Voting begins on June 1st and runs through the last prelim before the final (Thursday, June 24th). The top two candidates with the most votes are automatically in the Semifinals (Top 12).
- Pinnacle Club
The Pinnacle Club is a prestigious group of candidates who take part in selling Ad and Promotion pages in the Miss Texas Competition Magazine. These candidates will be recognized on stage for their Marketing efforts and will receive awards, prizes, and cash scholarships. Details on Candidate Portal
- Platform (See Social Impact Initiative)
Emulating the experience!
- Private Interview Look here!
- Question Box (Questions & Answers)
Click the link below to see the Form to register your question. You can also find this at the top of the Candidate Portal. Just look for the Question Mark logo at the top.
Form Link |
- Schedule
See Competition Week Schedule above
- Social Initiative (Platform)
Finding your Social Impact Initiative/Platform - The key is it needs to be something you’re really interested in. Not just something you can “sell’ to the judges. Whatever it is, it should be something that you are really interested in and something you can volunteer for, and something you won’t get tired of. The broader the audience the better, because if it’s too specific, you might have trouble really being able to take it everywhere.
Example: Miss Texas 2010 Ashley Melnick had Autism as her social initiative, but schools wouldn’t allow her to just come and speak on Autism. So she talked to students about her brother and shared how he was different, and gave examples of how we can accept differences in others. She was able to share about Autism, but in a manner that all students could see that even though her brother was different, he still had feelings and wanted to be accepted.
Article: What breaks your heart? Finding your SII.
Example: Miss Texas 2010 Ashley Melnick had Autism as her social initiative, but schools wouldn’t allow her to just come and speak on Autism. So she talked to students about her brother and shared how he was different, and gave examples of how we can accept differences in others. She was able to share about Autism, but in a manner that all students could see that even though her brother was different, he still had feelings and wanted to be accepted.
Article: What breaks your heart? Finding your SII.
- Social Media Branding
- Spring Showcase
Spring Showcase is an event where everything comes together and titleholders report this is when they really start to feel like Miss Texas and Outstanding Teen candidates! All candidates should attend, and we ask that at least one parent attend as well, if possible.
Dates: weekend of April 22-24
Registration form is posted on the Candidate Portal (go to Portals tab and click on Candidate Portal - password: the password you set up for yourself).
Location: Renaissance Dallas Richardson Hotel
900 E Lookout Dr, Richardson, TX 75082
special rate: go to EVENTS/NEWS tab for the hotel link
Dates: weekend of April 22-24
Registration form is posted on the Candidate Portal (go to Portals tab and click on Candidate Portal - password: the password you set up for yourself).
Location: Renaissance Dallas Richardson Hotel
900 E Lookout Dr, Richardson, TX 75082
special rate: go to EVENTS/NEWS tab for the hotel link
- Details coming below
- We ask that each candidate have at least one parent attend
- Sessions will be held for Directors and Parents (Friday night and Saturday)
- State/Local Judges Orientation
- Talent Competition (rules & regulations)
Talent Music Search (BMI / ASCAP) Instructions
Musician Permission Release form
Talent information (repeating talent, guidelines, etc.) download and print for your records.
Here is the verbiage on the document above for quick reading:
Things to Know:
1. Register early: Get your song registered early: the earlier you request your song selection, the better chance you will have of getting it.
2. Duplications: there can be no duplication of a talent act among candidates. For example: two dancers may not dance to the same song, however two different talents may use the same music (ex: singer and dancer).
3. Time maximum: music is limited to no longer than 90 seconds.
4. Repeating a Talent: candidates may not present the same talent selection at the state competition more than twice. Thereafter, she must present a new talent. The new talent may incorporate up to no more than 30 seconds of the previous talent provided it is obvious to the audience that the new talent is different and distinct from the previous talent presentation. For clarity, there is no limit to the number of times a candidate may perform the same talent at local competitions.
5. Vocal, Instrumental, Tap background rules:
What Judges look for while judging:
• Talent allows insight into the candidate’s preparatory and performance skills
• Looks at selection of talent presentation, as well as the performance
• Looks at interpretive ability and technical skill level including execution, technique synchronization, and control
• Allows insight into stage presence and on-state personality
• Allows a look at the totality of the elements; Costume, Props, Music, Voice, Use of the Body, and Choreography
• Looks for how enjoyable and relatable the performance is (would they want to see it again?)
Talent Forms: located under State Paperwork on the candidate portal
Musician Permission Release form
Talent information (repeating talent, guidelines, etc.) download and print for your records.
Here is the verbiage on the document above for quick reading:
Things to Know:
1. Register early: Get your song registered early: the earlier you request your song selection, the better chance you will have of getting it.
2. Duplications: there can be no duplication of a talent act among candidates. For example: two dancers may not dance to the same song, however two different talents may use the same music (ex: singer and dancer).
3. Time maximum: music is limited to no longer than 90 seconds.
4. Repeating a Talent: candidates may not present the same talent selection at the state competition more than twice. Thereafter, she must present a new talent. The new talent may incorporate up to no more than 30 seconds of the previous talent provided it is obvious to the audience that the new talent is different and distinct from the previous talent presentation. For clarity, there is no limit to the number of times a candidate may perform the same talent at local competitions.
5. Vocal, Instrumental, Tap background rules:
- A vocalist can use sounds to harmonize but they cannot use back up vocalist or additional words; ex: listener can not be confused that a background vocal is the candidate’s voice. Oooh’s and ahhh’s can be in the background but no words can be sung.
- An instrumentalist can use sounds that harmonize but cannot use from the same musical family. A violinist cannot be accompanied by any other string instrument. Flautist cannot be a accompanied by any other wind instrument.
- A tapper may not have background taps in the music.
- To sum it up, the listener should not be confused that the background sounds mimic the candidates voice, instrument, etc.
What Judges look for while judging:
• Talent allows insight into the candidate’s preparatory and performance skills
• Looks at selection of talent presentation, as well as the performance
• Looks at interpretive ability and technical skill level including execution, technique synchronization, and control
• Allows insight into stage presence and on-state personality
• Allows a look at the totality of the elements; Costume, Props, Music, Voice, Use of the Body, and Choreography
• Looks for how enjoyable and relatable the performance is (would they want to see it again?)
Talent Forms: located under State Paperwork on the candidate portal
- Texas Cares For Children, Inc.
- Virtual Magazine
- Visionary Brunch Look here!
The Visionary Brunch will be held on Sunday, June 25th at 11am. It is the official kick-off event for Miss and Teen candidates to be recognized. Scholarships and Awards will be given in the non-competition areas. This is for candidates, parents, directors, family, friends, and fans. It is a ticketed event.
- Visionary Scholarships (Miss) Look here!
2023 Visionary Scholarships posted soon!
- Visionary Scholarships (Teen) Look here!
2023 Visionary Scholarships posted soon!
- Visitation
After each preliminary everyone will go to the hotel ballroom where you can visit with your family and friends. Badges are needed. This is a time to take photos and be congratulated for a job well done! If you are a preliminary winner, you will first be introduced at a private VIP reception and then will be escorted to the Visitation.
- Wardrobe (Competition Week). Look here!
Heads up: Order early due to possible shipping delays. Also, it has been reported that the Capezio Opening Number trunks run small, so check sizing before ordering.
- Winter Workshop (Slideshow & Notes)
- Y'all Ball Gala Look here!
The Y'all Ball is held the night before the crowning of Miss Texas and Miss Texas' Outstanding Teen. The candidates are in atendance and will have the opportunity to mix and mingle with their family and friends. A special treat this year will be a "Masked Singer/Dancer" Show! Guess who will be our special guests? This is the PREMIER event of the week!
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See Packing List above - photo of Tub
Note: some girls like to decorate their tub before they come
Note: some girls like to decorate their tub before they come