Miss Rodeo Florida Potential Contestants

Dear Potential Miss Rodeo Florida / Miss Teen Rodeo Florida Contestant:

On behalf of the Miss Rodeo Florida Association, I would first like to congratulate you on taking the first step towards achieving your goal of becoming Miss Rodeo Florida (MRF) or Miss Teen Rodeo Florida (MTRF).

We are pleased to continue the MRF Princess and MRF Sweetheart divisions again this year. This is the best hands-on experience for these girls to shadow our older contestants and learn how to become Rodeo Queens. I would like to share with you some of our expectations and obligations you must agree to, should you be selected Miss Rodeo Florida or Miss Teen Rodeo Florida.

First, you must understand, this is a contractual obligation between you and our Association. The contract you will be required to sign will spell out your duties and responsibilities. It is imperative that you read it and understand it, prior to the pageant. The contract can be found on our website. For those queens that are 18 years old, please remember this job and contract are yours, not your parents. The association will be dealing strictly with you on all business matters.

You and your family must also understand that even though our organization helps you with some costs in the upcoming year, there is still a serious financial commitment to you and your family. Coronation - Your main fundraiser for your reign, is your responsibility to arrange and produce within the first couple of months after your reign begins. This function is vital to the financial well being of your year. The money earned will be used to begin building your wardrobe and to pay for your upcoming travels. It is also your responsibility to find sponsors to assist you with these areas. The more you raise, the more you will travel. I cannot stress how important it will be that you have access to sponsors and help within your community all year long. It is a very long and tiring year (but fun too!) and you will need to seek the support and advice from many.

This brings me to the issue of transportation. It is your responsibility to have reliable sound transportation or means to secure a vehicle sponsor for your year. You do not need to have a pickup and trailer; a small economical car is perfectly acceptable. Most Florida rodeo’s will assist you with getting a horse for their events but remember it is your responsibility to have a horse available and transported to events that will require one (like parades).

For Miss Rodeo Florida 2011: Your first trip will be to the Miss Rodeo America Pageant in Las Vegas, NV, the first week in December 2010. It is required that you attend the entire pageant. That means you will need to provide airfare, tickets to the events, and a hotel room for yourself. Many girls have gone out and secured a sponsor for this event. Your parents are welcome to attend with you, at their own expense, or you can travel with members of the MRF Association and we can also assist you in finding a roommate for the pageant.

Being Miss Rodeo Florida or Miss Teen Rodeo Florida is a fabulous experience, a wonderful opportunity, and will be a lasting memory for you. It is a job; and you will be expected to be present at all appearances, be on time, and dressed for each appearance and to continue to smile, even when you are tired. Miss Rodeo Florida 2011 is expected to begin preparations (e.g. studying, fitness plan, riding, modeling training, and wardrobe design) for the Miss Rodeo America 2011 pageant at the beginning of her reign. The National Director will have ninety day review with her in April 2011 and will provide her a written plan on areas that need improvement. If after 45 days, those corrections are not made, the Executive Board reserves the right to award the first runner-up the title of Miss Rodeo Florida 2011. If the winner forfeits her crown, either voluntarily or by the board, she will be responsible for paying back the costs of any awards or sponsorships that she may have received during her reign.

College - The winner of Miss Rodeo Florida 2011 may be asked to take the Fall Semester of the 2011 year off from school in order to prepare for the Miss Rodeo America 2011 competition.

Please be sure to read the rulebook and all packet materials carefully and thoroughly. I am sure you will find the answers to many of your questions within this packet. Take your time filling out your application, if you would like to receive the application itself in electronic format, please send me an email.

Raffles/Ad Sales - All contestants of the Miss Rodeo Florida / Miss Teen Rodeo Florida / Miss Rodeo Florida Princess and Miss Rodeo Florida Sweetheart will be selling Raffle Tickets and Ads for the Official Pageant Program Book. You will be required to sell 100 raffle tickets at $1.00 a piece. You can request more tickets and for every ticket you sell over your first 100, you will receive 20% of the total amount back to you. You will also be required to sell $150.00 worth of ads for the Official Pageant Program Book. (Each full page ad is $100.00) The same will also apply for every ad amount you sell after your initial $150.00 you will receive 20% back. This is a great way to earn back your contestant entry fees for the pageant. (Please note that ads and raffle tickets are mandatory but do not count toward the contestants final score) The ads for the pageant program book must be turned in with your application and the raffle tickets and money must be turned in at Orientation at the Miss Rodeo Florida Pageant.

Scrap Book - All Contestants in the “Miss” division must bring a scrapbook. Please refer to the rule book for any questions regarding the scrapbook.

Auction - MRF and MTRF contestants will be required to bring an item for the live auction that will take place during the fashion show portion of the pageant. You will not be judged on the item, but you will be judged on your presentation of the item. Please be prepared to describe the item and reflect your personality when presenting the item at the auction.

When you return your application, be sure to include your 1) entry fee ($250 for MRF and $225 for MTRF plus your $125 room fee) ($150 for MRF Princess $100 for MRF Sweetheart) 2) (1)-color, glossy 8x10 head and shoulder shot and (5)- 5x7 head and shoulder photos, 3) Completed photo release form and media release form 4) Completed medical release form 5) Pageant application agreement 6) Back page of Hold Harmless Agreement completed and notarized

7) Copy of Birth Certificate and 8) Ad Sales. It is highly recommended to also return the completed “Parents and Guests Ticket Reservation Form” at this time as well. A checklist is enclosed in your application to make sure you have everything completed.

The deadline for applications to be postmarked is August 31, 2010. It is PERFECTLY acceptable, and encouraged to send your application in earlier – that way we can make sure you have everything correct before the deadline. We will be having a mandatory meeting with all contestants in Septembe. in Kissimmee. I know some of this may sound a bit overwhelming, but don’t let it deter you from your dreams. It is possible to raise enough money to cover your entire year, without having to spend any personal money. If you are dedicated and determined, it can be done.

Again, congratulations on taking the first step towards achieving your goal. Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me. Email is a terrific way to contact me or my cell phone is 407-908-5587. If you leave me a message, please speak slowly and clearly and leave your telephone number.

I look forward to hearing from you all soon.

MJ Wasson

Mark Kessler

Miss Rodeo Florida Association

Pageant Director National Director

Miss Rodeo Florida Association