The Miss Bartlett Pageants were started in 1990, in celebration of Bartlett’s 200th Birthday. The goal was to produce an event where young ladies could learn and practice valuable life skills while participating in the excitement generated by a Pageant. This is NOT a beauty pageant!! Contestants are scored on their poise, confidence, public speaking and interview abilities. There IS an optional talent competition, with a separate panel of judges.
In 1995, the event was expanded to include young ladies from throughout the Mount Washington Valley. Our participants now encompass those towns whose students attend Kennett High School and Fryeburg Academy. Scholarship money is awarded to the top three finishers and for outstanding salesmanship. This year we will award over $3000.00 to those fortunate teens for their post-secondary careers. That will bring the total money won by contestants since we began this program to over $66,000.00. To date, 200 teens have participated in our program. This number does not reflect the many who have joined us year after year. Among our past participants are business owners, teachers, military officers, hair dressers, off-Broadway directors, medical professionals, mothers, scientists and so much more…
There are four separate areas of judging involved in the selection of our Queen. Ten percent of the score is accumulated during the preparation events of the Pageant. Points are earned for meeting paperwork and advertising deadlines, attending rehearsals, assisting with fund-raising, etc... Commitment!
Personal interview accounts for 30% of each contestant’s overall score. Each met with our panel of judges in a setting much like a job interview. She was asked questions about herself and her interests. The judges were watching for good posture, eye contact and speaking ability.
Following the interviews, the contestants presented their public speaking. Each performed a short speech about herself, for the judges and other contestants, making her introduction and telling a little about her life. This area also accounts for 30% of the overall score.
The final 30% of the score is awarded in this afternoon’s formal wear competition, the only portion that is open to the public. Each contestant will present herself in formal attire for you and the judges. She will introduce herself and perform a short runway walk. The judges will be watching the grace, poise and confidence exhibited by each of the contestants.
The event is open to girls in grades 6 through 12 who reside in those towns whose students attend Kennett High School, Fryeburg Academy and Kingswood Regional High School.
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