2014
Candidate Handbook
Miss St. Francis Ambassador Program
2014 Candidate Handbook
Table of Contents
Welcome................................................................................. 3
Candidate Eligibility & Program Information ..................... 4-5
Candidate Requirements
Sponsor Information ....................................................... 5
Clothing Requirements & Guidelines ............................. 6
Event Information & Event Schedule ........................ 7-10
Fundraisers ................................................................... 10
Button Sales .................................................................. 10
Biography ..................................................................... 11
Ambassador Requirements ................................................... 11
Appendix A: Sponsor Tip Sheet
Appendix B: Meet the Candidates
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Dear Candidates and Families,
Welcome to the Miss St. Francis Ambassador Program 2014 Candidate Program.
Over the next few months you will have a chance to experience new things, learn
and grow from the candidate experience. This year’s candidate program will be
unlike any other. Events have been designed to show the candidates what it would
be like to be a Miss St. Francis Ambassador. Throughout this experience, we hope
that you will learn about the City of St. Francis and yourself.
I hope you enjoy the experience!
Sincerely,
Jacquie Goedel
Program Coordinator
Miss St. Francis Ambassador Program
612-282-7226
Other Contacts:
Linda Funder: Royalty Coordinator, 763-227-8561
Sammie Olson: 763-639-5412
Angela MacLeod: Pageant Coordinator, 651-335-3789
Camille Strickland: Co-Little Miss Coordinator, 763-227-6676
Caitlin Funder: Co-Little Miss Coordinator,
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Welcome to the Miss St. Francis Ambassador Program!
Candidate Eligibility
There are two age levels for Ambassadors. Little Miss Ambassadors ages 6-8 and
Miss Ambassadors are ages 16-21. Candidates must fit in one of the age categories
by June 7, 2014 or receive an exception by the program coordinator. Candidates
must also live, work, or go to school in Independent School District #15 or work in
St. Francis to be eligible.
Program Information
The Miss St. Francis Ambassador Program is a non-profit incorporated
organization run completely by volunteers. The program is managed by a Board of
Directors and a Program Coordinator.
Mission Statement: The Miss St. Francis Ambassador Program strives to support
the growth and development of young women in St. Francis through excellence,
scholarship, achievement, self-confidence and community involvement.
Program Goals:
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To have equality among Ambassadors
To foster a positive growth experience for all Ambassadors
To create high self-confidence and self-esteem
To create lasting relationships with the community
To promote educational success through scholarship
To represent the community of St. Francis throughout Anoka County and
greater Minnesota
Ambassador Program Structure
1 or 2 Little Miss Ambassadors (ages 6-8) will carry the equal title of “Little Miss
St. Francis Ambassador.” These Ambassadors will have the same scholarship,
crown, sash and gown that compliment the other Ambassadors.
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1 or 2 Ambassadors (ages 16-21) will carry the equal title of “Miss St. Francis
Ambassador.” These Ambassadors will have the same scholarship, crown, sash
and gowns. One of the Selected Miss St. Francis Ambassadors may also be chosen
by the judges to represent St. Francis in the Minneapolis Aquatennial Queen of the
Lakes Scholarship Program in July after completing her reign. The judges’
selection will be in a sealed envelope and revealed in spring prior to completing
her reign.
Candidate Requirements
There are events, rehearsals and lots of information that the candidate is
responsible to keep track of. The purpose of the Candidate Handbook is to give
each candidate and their family as much information possible about the
expectations of a candidate. It is the responsibility of each candidate to fulfill the
commitment of the entire candidate program regardless if they want to be selected
as an Ambassador in the end. The following sections will give each candidate
specific details on sponsor information, clothing requirements, event information,
schedule and other candidate requirements.
Sponsor Information
Each candidate must have a sponsor to participate in the candidate program. The
sponsor fee is $200.00. Each of the sponsors may deduct this fee as an advertising
expense for their business or organization. It is an important trait of any
ambassador to be able to speak to members of the business community in St.
Francis. For this reason; each and every candidate must find her own sponsor.
Many local businesses are willing to sponsor candidates and do so year after year.
If you are having trouble finding a sponsor, please talk to the candidate coordinator
for your age group. They can give you suggestions that may make your search
easier. Sponsors do not have to be businesses or organizations in St. Francis.
Please use the contacts you and your family have to find the best sponsor for you.
Please do not call potential sponsors unless you know them personally. Candidates
have seen the best results by speaking to a sponsor face to face. See “Appendix A”
for sponsor tip sheet.
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Clothing Requirements
One of the most frequently asked questions by prospective candidates and their
families is what clothing items must I have or buy to be a candidate. Below, all
candidate-clothing requirements are listed. We highly recommend wearing clothes
that you already own or borrow from friends! If any candidate is having a hardship
with the requirements, please discuss this with the candidate coordinator; we are
here to help you! Many of the volunteers are past royalty and have closets full of
dresses they are willing to share.
Formal Gown: Each candidate must wear a formal gown during the coronation.
Miss candidates must wear a colored gown (no white please). It should be age
appropriate, not revealing and be floor length. Little Miss candidates must wear a
white dress that is between tea length to floor length. The Program or Candidate
Coordinator must approve each candidate’s dress prior to dress rehearsal.
Dress Heals: Each candidate should wear heals with their formal dress. Closed
toed shoes are highly recommended but not required. Candidates are required to
bring heals to all coronation rehearsals so they get comfortable walking in them.
Please be reasonable when selecting heals for the event to insure you will be able
to walk comfortable in them for the entire day.
Candidate Outfit: This outfit will consist of black dress pants, candidate shirt
(provided by us) and dress flats. Your shoes should be something you are
comfortable standing and walking in for long periods of time—no flip-flops!
Picture Day: You will need to have a white shirt, black pants and hair done nice.
Interview Outfit: For the Little Miss Candidates this should be their white formal
gown and heals. For the Miss Candidates, this outfit can be a dress or suit type
outfit. Think business interview. NO skirts or dress that do not cover your knees
when you are standing. NO cleavage or see-through tops.
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Candidate Event Information & Schedule
Candidates will participate in several events throughout the candidate program that
are designed to help each candidate learn and grow. Below is a description of each
event and schedule.
Candidate Welcome:
This will be a jump-start to the candidate experience! The candidates will make
posters for the sponsors, start working on their candidate speech and have the
opportunity to have their dress approved. A resume/cover letter session is also
planned for the Miss Candidates. There will be a potluck lunch from 12:00 p.m. to
1:30 p.m. White Shirts and black pants.
Candidate Contract/Parent Waiver, Sponsor form & Fee are due!
Sunday, April 27th, 2014 at the Community Room at St. Francis City Hall
23340 Cree St. NW (off of HWY 47 near Anoka-Hennepin Credit Union behind
the closed gas station.)
Little Miss Candidates: 10-1:30 p.m.
Pot Luck: 12:00-1:30 p.m.
Miss Candidates: 12-5 p.m.
Candidate Photos & Biographies:
Come ready to have your candidate picture taken. A plain white shirt is
recommended for the head shot. After pictures the Little Misses will complete
their bio forms with the assistance of a parent and also hear about one of the
fundraisers we are doing. The Miss Candidates have the opportunity to receive
comments on their first draft resumes.
Sunday, April 27th, 2014 at the community room*.
*Same day as Candidate Welcome
Candidate Service Project:
We will be doing Feed My Starving Children in Coon Rapids. (401 93rd Avenue
NW Coon Rapids, MN 55433) Here we will be packing food for our service
project. The clothing requirements are your candidate outfit.
Thursday, May 8th, 2014 at Coon Rapids Location
Please arrive at 5:45 p.m. we will be there from 6:00-7:30 p.m. Candidates under
the age of 8 will need to have a parent in attendance.
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Fire Department Tour (LM) & CPR Clinic (M):
We will have a LM Candidate tour of the Fire Department and a CPR Clinic for
the Misses. The misses will learn the fundamentals of CPR.
Tuesday, May 13th, 2014
Little Miss Candidates: 6:30-7:30 p.m. at Fire Department
Miss Candidates: 7:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m. at TBD
Candidate Parade:
Have fun and learn what it is like to be an Ambassador! We will have you follow
and spend time with the current Ambassadors as they attend their last parade of
their year.
Saturday May 24th, 2014
Times: TBD
Attire: Candidate Shirts, Jeans, Tennis Shoes
Candidate Rehearsals:
This is the time when the candidates will learn how to present their best image
during the interview and while giving their coronation speech. Candidates are
required to bring their dress heals to each clinic for walking/turning practice. Each
candidate must bring their formal gown to one of the clinics to be approved by the
Program or Candidate Coordinator.
All Clinics will be held in the Community Room at St. Francis City Hall.
Thursday, May 1st Speech Clinic
Little Miss Candidates: 6:30-7:30 p.m.
Miss Candidates: 7:30-9:00 p.m. (Image Clinic also planned for this night)
Thursday May 15th Speech Clinic
Little Miss Candidates: 6:30-7:30 p.m.
Miss Candidates: 7:30-9:00 p.m.
Thursday, May 22nd Speech Clinic
Little Miss Candidates: 6:30-7:30 p.m.
Miss Candidates: 7:30-9:00 p.m.
Thursday, May 29th Mock Interviews
Little Miss Candidates: 6:30-7:30 p.m.
Miss Candidates: 7:30 – 9:00 p.m.
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Candidate Day:
This is a fun filled day getting to know your fellow candidates! Miss Candidates
will start with a potluck Past Royalty Brunch. This will give you the opportunity
to meet with past St. Francis royalty and hear their stories from their reigning years
about what it’s like to be an ambassador! After all that fun we will be meeting up
with the Little Misses and going to Patriot Lanes for a fun afternoon of bowling.
Please be sure to wear your candidate outfit.
Saturday May 17th
Miss Candidates 9:45 a.m. meet at Community Room
Little Misses meet at Patriot Lanes
Bowling at Patriot Lanes will be from 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
**Taco Bar Lunch will be provided**
Coupon Blitz Day:
This 1 day the girls will be going out door-to-door selling coupons and winning
prizes.
Sunday, May 18th
Please have daughter there at 11:00 a.m. and pick up at 5:00 p.m. at the
Community Room. Candidate outfit is required for these days.
Candidate Interviews:
This is one of the most important parts of the judging process because the judges
will meet with each candidate individually and possibly in groups.
Wednesday, June 4th
Kids Country Childcare (Off Hwy 47 near Billy’s)
Little Miss Candidates 6:30 p.m.
Miss Candidates 7:30 p.m.
Dress Rehearsal:
This is just like pageant day! We will do a complete walk through of the pageant.
Candidates should come in their formal gown and dress heals. Candidates will not
be dismissed until the walk through has been completed.
All extra Pioneer Days Buttons and Money are due!
Thursday, June 5th 6:30 p.m. at St. Francis Community Park Tent (on Hwy 47
near St. Francis Elementary)
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Pioneer Days Parade:
Each candidate will be in the Pioneer Days Parade. Little Miss candidates will be
in the parade together on a float or vehicle. Miss Candidates must find their own
transportation for the parade. This can be a convertible, jeep, truck or other
creative vehicle idea. Miss candidates must have a sign on each side of the vehicle
with their name and sponsor. Parade line-up is on Ambassador Blvd near the
Middle School. Specific line-up number and a map will be handed out to the
candidates during dress rehearsal. Candidates will wear their formal gowns and
heals for the parade.
Saturday, June 7th 1 pm (Roads close at Noon)
All candidates must meet at parade line up by 11:45 a.m.
Miss St. Francis Ambassador Coronation:
Candidates will show off their formal gowns and give their candidate speech. The
2013-2014 Ambassadors will be crowned at the end! Pioneer days Button required
for Admission.
Saturday, June 7, 2014 3 p.m. TBD
Fundraisers
This year’s fundraiser’s are due June 4th (Coupons) and June 6th (Buttons). These
fundraisers help the program raise money to cover the costs associated with the
pageant and events done by the royalty throughout the year.
Button Sales
Each candidate is required to sell 25 Pioneer Days buttons. Each button is $5 and
comes with a coupon book and raffle ticket. In addition, each person attending this
year’s coronation is required to have a button. The candidate in each category that
sells the most buttons will receive a prize and recognition during the coronation
from the Pioneer Days Committee. Buttons will be handed out in early May and
extra buttons can be requested from Jacquie by calling 612-282-7226. Money and
extra buttons must be turned in on or before Dress Rehearsal to the Candidate
Coordinator.
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Candidate Biography
Each candidate must submit a biography that will be given to the judges. Little
Miss candidates will fill out a bio form with the help of a parent/guardian on May
1st. Miss candidate will be given instruction and samples at the Candidate
Welcome and will be required to submit a Cover Letter and Resume. The cover
letter and resume must be typed and are due on May 8th. You may submit your
cover letter and resume to Angela Macleod on regular white 8 ½ x 11 paper or email it to tiggergirl1@hotmail.com by May 8th.
Royalty Requirements
We encourage anyone who is interested to run as a candidate in the Miss St.
Francis Ambassador Program. You may decide along the way that being an
Ambassador for St. Francis is not something you want to commit to and please
know that is okay. Candidates who wish to not be selected should finish the
program and let the judges know during their Personal Interview or submit a letter
to the Candidate Coordinator on Dress Rehearsal to be given to the judges.
Please know that being and Ambassador is a commitment and a job that lasts for an
entire year! The following section is not to scare you but to give you an idea of
what you are in for if selected as an Ambassador. Parents and families are needed
to help with many things throughout the year including chaperoning events,
helping set-up and takedown the float at parades and helping with fundraisers.
Time Commitment
This year, The Miss St. Francis Ambassador Program has been asked to participate
in most community events in St. Francis and throughout Anoka County. In
addition, St. Francis Ambassadors attend parades and coronation in other
Minnesota communities. Please see the 2014-2015 tentative schedule for a better
understanding of the time commitment.
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Cost
Like any sports team or hobby there is a cost involved with participation as an
Ambassador. Matching wardrobe, transportation and meals add up. The program
does not collect any fees from Ambassador families for program expenses.
Families are required to purchase wardrobe for Ambassadors and up to $150.00
will be refunded to each family at the end of their reign, if fundraising is done.
The Program Coordinator will work with the Ambassadors to keep costs down and
get the most for their money.
What is it like?
This is truly a once in a lifetime opportunity. Representing St. Francis as their
royalty for a year will lead to new relationships with members of the community,
business world and the girls that you are crowned with. You will meet new people
and make lifelong friends with some very amazing women!
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Appendix A: Sponsor Tip Sheet
You are responsible for finding your own sponsor. You must have a sponsor to compete as a
candidate. You may have any business or organization sponsor you. You may choose any
business that you want. The business does not have to be in St. Francis, but that is preferred.
You will have better results if you or your family is familiar faces in their business (ex: your
local hair dresser, nail stylist, tanning salon or favorite restaurant). You should ask your
potential sponsor in person, make sure you add enthusiasm! You may use the following script as
an example to your potential sponsor:
“Hi, my name is _____________ I am a candidate for the Miss St. Francis Ambassador Program.
I would love it if you would consider sponsoring me as a candidate. The Miss St. Francis
Ambassador Program is a nonprofit corporation. 100% of your donation is used for the pageant
and Ambassador Program. The sponsor fee is $200.00. The sponsor fee can be deducted as an
advertising expense on your taxes.
When you are my sponsor I will be advertising your business in the community papers, in the
“Pioneer Days in the Park” parade, and at candidate events. Also, for being my sponsor you will
receive two complimentary tickets to our coronation. But most of all you will be giving me a
great opportunity to represent the community of St. Francis!
How can they say no to that? Thank them profusely for sponsoring you and ask them to make
the check payable to: Miss St. Francis Ambassador Program (MSFAP). Fill out the Sponsor
Information Form and return your sponsor fee. All sponsor fees must be turned into Jacquie
Goedel no later than May 6th. They will receive a formal thank you letter from the Ambassador
Program as verification that they are your sponsor. If they want to contact someone from the
program, please give them the following information: Jacquie Goedel, Program Coordinator,
612-282-7226.
Also make sure you get permission to hang a poster in their place of business advertising the
pageant. The poster will also advertise they are sponsoring you.
If they say no, thank them for their time. Please tell Jacquie if a business says no. The program
needs to work with these people. If you have tried and tried and keep getting no answers, contact
the candidate coordinator for help. We want you to try your best to do this yourself. This shows
dedication and commitment to the program.
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APPENDIX B: Candidate Coronation Speeches
Little Miss Candidates
Time: 20-30 seconds
The candidate should introduce themselves, their parents and sibilings. State their
age and school. Thank their sponsor. The remaining time should be used to
highlight their hobbies or favorite activities. The speech should end with “thank
you”!
Example: Hi, my name is Emily Adams, the daughter of Greg and Sarah Adams. I
have two older brothers: Kyle and John. I am 7 years old and just finished first
grade at St. Francis Elementary. I enjoy taking my dog, puddles for walks to the
park and playing on the playground. I also like doing activities and volunteering
with my Girl Scout troop. I would like to thank my sponsor Jane’s Salon for
giving me the opportunity to be a candidate. Thank you.
(No particular order is required do whatever is best for your child’s memorization)
Miss Candidates
Time: 1-1:30 minutes
The candidate should introduce themselves, their parents and siblings. State their
age and school. Thank their sponsor. The remaining time should be used to
highlight their hobbies or favorite activities. They should also speak about their
future plans for going to college and/or pursing a specific career. The speech
should end with “thank you”!
Example: Hi, my name is Emily Adams, the daughter of Greg and Sarah Adams. I
have two older brothers: Kyle and John. I am 17 years old and just finished the
eleventh grade at St. Francis High School. I enjoy taking my dog, puddles for
walks to the park and hanging out with my friends. I also like doing activities and
volunteering with my Girl Scout Troop. My favorite activity to participate in is
soccer. I have been playing on a soccer team since I was six years old. This year I
made the Varsity team! I scored 15 goals during the season including 3 in one
game! I am very excited for next fall when I will be a team captain! In school, I
am also involved in DECA, NHS and the debate team. This year my group
qualified to attend the state DECA competition. After high school I plan to attend
the University of Minnesota. My goal is to earn a degree in Business while
playing soccer for the Gophers! I would like to thank my sponsor Jane’s Salon for
giving me the opportunity to be a candidate! Thank you.
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