Frequently Asked Questions

 Contestants of all ages, both male  and female who are developmentally  disabled, and/or physically disabled. This  includes many different  types of developmental disabilities.  The exceptions are that we do not  accept  contestants with only a physical disability, and vision or  hearing impaired.  This is because someone who doesn’t have a  developmental disability would have  an unfair advantage over those who  do.  

 No, this year we are  seeking sponsors to help with the expenses of the  pageant. A contestant  sponsorship is just $100.00. We are working with  local businesses to obtain  these, but if you have any friends or  family with a business, you can ask them  as well. Sponsorship  information is available on the website. Each contestant  will wear a  sash with their sponsor’s name on it during the pageant. We will  also  be hosting a Meet & Greet event so that our sponsors and contestants   can meet each other. 

 Yes, tickets will be given to contestants at the Orientation  Meeting.  Each contestant’s parents/guardians will receive 10 tickets at the   meeting. If you choose to do so, you may pay for the tickets when you  get them,  then you keep the money collected, but this is not required.  If you choose to  sell the tickets first, the money collected will need  to be turned in at the rehearsal, or the tickets have to be turned in.  We do ask that  each family attempt to sell their tickets. If additional  tickets are needed, you  can get more, or tell your guests to purchase  at the door.  

 The female  contestants wear long or short, formal dresses. The male  contestants wear black  or navy dress pants, dress shirt and tie.  Gentlemen may  wear a suit as well.  They have the option of renting a  tuxedo if  they choose to, but it is not required. For teen-adult female  contestants, we  do have a collection of dresses that have been donated  to us from which you can  borrow. We do ask that you dry-clean and  return the dress to us. 

No, we have escorts  who will be there for each contestant, to assist  them on and off stage, and  encourage them throughout the event. We do  allow contestants to provide their  own escort, or we will provide one.  We do not allow parents to escort their  contestant, because not all  contestants have parents. This rule does not apply  to the Junior  Division; however we encourage you to use someone else to escort  them  so you can watch! Escorts follow the same guidelines as contestants for attire. 

 The contestants are introduced as they walk across the stage,  and a  short bio is read by the emcees. Then each contestant is asked three   questions; they have a choice of two from the questions on the  application, and  they are all asked the same question-“Why do you want  to be Mr. or Miss Hope  Park King/Queen? For those contestants who are  non-verbal, their responses will  be read by the emcee, or if they have  devices that they use to communicate with,  they can be used.  

  The contestants are  scored on areas such as their confidence, smile,  appearance and personality.  The judges are instructed to not judge the  contestants on the way they speak,  but rather, what they have to say.  If a contestant is nonverbal, their parents/  guardians will write their  answers to the questions, and they will be read.  ALSO, if a contestant  does not want to answer their questions on stage, they  will be read by  the emcee. 

 Adult : 30 +
     Young Adult: 20-29
     Teen: 13-19
     Little: 8-12
     Tiny: 4-7
     Wee: Birth to 3      

 We crown a King and Queen in each division, plus a 1st  runner up in  each division. They receive crowns and a beautiful fabric sash,  trophy.  The First Runner up receives a tiara (female) or a  medal (male). All  other contestants receive a Royal Court Sash.. We also award a People’s  Choice Award  to one contestant in each Division, who raises the most  funds for this Award. 

 All contestants are given a container to collect donations  for this  award. They will be turned in at the Pageant Rehearsal and counted,  and  the amount logged in. Then, the day of the pageant, There will be a  display  of the contestants, with their pictures and their containers,  where guests can  add additional funds to their container. These will be totaled and added to  the  first amount turned in, and a winner in each division will be announced. 

 Photographs of each  contestant will be taken before with a formal  backdrop, and during the pageant.  These will be taken by our volunteer  professional photographer. He will also  take pictures of the Kings and  Queens during crowning, and again with the  formal backdrop.  The  photographer is  donating his time, and will provide us the pictures to  be put on a cd for  purchase by each family. The price he allows us to  sell them to you is  nominal, and he also gives a signed release so  that you can print pictures  from the cd.  You may take pictures/video  from your seat,  however you may not stand up or move to the front to take  pictures. We  also have a staff reporter who will be taking pictures for the  local  newspapers, so please adhere to this guideline so we can obtain some   great pictures of all our contestants!  

The After Party is a  time to celebrate!

We will need reservations for the number  you need, and the tickets will be given to you at the rehearsal. 

 www.hopeparkspecialpageant.com  

 Do I need to fill out any paperwork?

Yes.  After you register, please fill out the appropriate application  for the category in which you will participate, a liability form, and  the parent commitment form. To return them, you may scan and email them  to Don.Dunlap@OurWorldSchool.org OR mail them to HOPE Park Special Pageant, 2680  Hwy 42 North, McDonough, GA 30253 ATTN: Don Dunlap