top of page

Contestant Preparation & Scoring

This page is designed to help you feel confident, prepared, and informed before stepping into the Miss Missouri Outdoors experience. Understanding how you are scored and what to expect allows you to focus on doing your best.

Scoring Breakdown

Interview

35

%

One-on-One Interviews 

Talent

30

%

Talent Presentation

On-Stage Q&A

Answering On-Stage Question

20

%

Evening Gown

10

%

Formal Attire Presentation

Outdoor Wear

5

%

Outdoor Attire Showcase

How You Are Scored

Miss Missouri Outdoors evaluates contestants across five areas. Each category highlights a different strength, creating a well-rounded assessment of confidence, communication, preparation, and presentation.

  • Thoughtful, complete answers

  • Clear communication and articulation

  • Confidence and poise

  • Authentic personality

  • Knowledge of Missouri and the outdoors

INTERVIEW

35

%

What You Will Do

Participate in a one-on-one conversation with the judges.​

What Judges Are Looking For

How To Do Well

Practice speaking about yourself comfortably. Be prepared to talk about your interests, experiences, and why you want to compete. Focus on being genuine rather than rehearsed.

  • Creativity and originality

  • Confidence and stage presence

  • Clear delivery and impact

  • Preparation and effort

Choose a talent that feels natural and authentic to you. This can include music, dance, demonstrations, or other creative performances. A speech or storytelling presentation may be used as a talent when it is thoughtfully prepared and engaging for an audience.

The goal of this category is to show judges something meaningful about who you are through a prepared performance.

TALENT

30

%

What You Will Do

Present a talent performance that showcases your abilities, creativity, and personality.

What Judges Are Looking For

How To Do Well

On-Stage Q & A

  • Calm, thoughtful answers

  • Confidence under pressure

  • Clear and steady delivery

How To Do Well

Practice thinking out loud. Take a breath before answering. Focus on speaking clearly rather than quickly.

20

%

What You Will Do

Answer a question in front of the audience.

What Judges Are Looking For

EVENING GOWN

  • Overall presentation and poise

  • Confidence and posture

  • Comfort and composure

How To Do Well

Choose a gown you feel confident in. Practice walking, standing, and turning comfortably. This is about presence, not perfection.

10

%

What You Will Do

Walk on stage in formal attire.

What Judges Are Looking For

Select an outdoor activity and present attire appropriate for that activity while briefly explaining your choices.

What Judges Are Looking For

  • Practicality for the activity you selected

  • Knowledge of safety gear and standards

  • Awareness of modern outdoor gear, materials, or technology

  • Confidence and personality in presentation

  • Clear communication during your explanation

How To Do Well

Think beyond “outdoorsy.” Choose clothing and gear you could realistically use. Be prepared to explain why each piece matters for safety, comfort, or function.

OUTDOOR WEAR

5

%

What You Will Do

What This Means for You

Miss Missouri Outdoors is not judged primarily on appearance. The majority of your score comes from communication, preparation, confidence, and how you present yourself in both formal and outdoor settings.

Preparing in these areas will help you walk into the experience feeling confident and ready.

Preparing for the Talent Portion

The Talent portion is an opportunity to show judges something meaningful about who you are through a prepared performance. This category highlights creativity, personality, confidence, and effort.

Talent does not have to be a dance routine. Many different forms of talent are welcomed and encouraged.

What Counts as Talent

Acceptable talents may include, but are not limited to:

  • Vocal or instrumental music

  • Dance or movement performance

  • Demonstrations of a skill or hobby

  • Creative presentations

  • A speech or storytelling performance that is engaging and thoughtfully prepared

The goal is to choose something that feels authentic to you and allows your personality to shine.

Submission Requirements

All contestants are required to submit a description of their talent prior to the event. This allows us to properly prepare for staging, audio needs, and timing.

Audio & Equipment Needs

If your talent requires music, sound, or special equipment, those details must be submitted no later than two months prior to the event. This ensures we can properly accommodate your performance.

Video Submissions (When Applicable)

Certain talents may be eligible for video submission with prior approval.​​​​​​​

If submitting a video:

  • The video must be approved in advance

  • Contestants must be willing to briefly narrate or explain their performance during their presentation

This allows judges to understand the purpose, preparation, and meaning behind the performance — not just observe it.

Talent Time Guidelines

Talent performances should be approximately 2–3 minutes in length.

This allows contestants enough time to present something meaningful while keeping the overall program running smoothly.

Performances that are significantly shorter or longer may be asked to adjust prior to the event.

Stage Awareness

Our event environment may vary year to year. Contestants should be prepared to adapt to:

  • Indoor or outdoor stage setups

  • Limited stage space

  • Day-of adjustments

Flexibility and preparation are part of the experience.

Why Talent Matters

Talent allows contestants to show who they are beyond appearance and interview. It highlights creativity, confidence, and individuality.

What to Bring

Miss Missouri Outdoors includes outdoor and camping-style elements. Packing thoughtfully will help you feel comfortable, prepared, and confident throughout the experience

Outdoor & Personal Items

Pageant & Presentation Items

  • Tent

  • Comfortable outdoor clothing

  • Weather-appropriate layers

  • Durable shoes or boots

  • Toiletries and personal items

  • Bedding or sleeping bag

  • Notebook and pen

  • Reusable water bottle

  • Snacks

  • Interview outfit

  • Outdoor Wear outfit

  • Evening gown

  • Talent materials or equipment

  • Hair and makeup items

  • Any required accessories for your chosen outdoor activity

Preparing ahead of time allows you to focus on enjoying the experience rather than worrying about what you forgot.

Finding A Sponsor

Many contestants choose to seek a local sponsor to help with pageant fees, attire, or preparation costs. This is not required, but it is a helpful option that also builds real-world skills in communication, confidence, and professionalism.

Who To Ask

Consider reaching out to:

  • Local businesses

  • Outdoor or sporting stores

  • Community organizations

  • Family friends who own businesses

How to Approach Them

Introduce yourself, explain what Miss Missouri Outdoors is, and share why you’re excited to compete. Be polite, confident, and prepared to answer questions.

You are not asking for a handout — you are offering a partnership.

What You Can Offer In Return

You can offer to:

  • Recognize them on your social media

  • Thank them publicly during the pageant weekend

  • Share their business with friends, family, and your community

  • Represent their support with pride throughout the experience

The worst someone can say is no.
But if you don’t ask, the answer is always no.

Learning to ask is part of the growth this program encourages.

You're More Ready Than You Think

Preparing well allows you to walk into Miss Missouri Outdoors feeling confident, informed, and ready to grow. This experience is designed to challenge you, support you, and help you discover strengths you may not even realize you have yet.

bottom of page