PEAR BLOSSOM SCHOLARSHIP PAGEANT
SENIOR ROYALTY COURT PROCEDURES
It is the responsibility of each participating high school to select its own Pear Blossom Princess,
following the guidelines set by the Pear Blossom Association. The PBA will assign a hostess (or
hostesses) to work with each school. The application process will be as follows:
1. Applications will be distributed to schools by mail and/or by each hostess assigned to that
particular school. Schools may photocopy applications at any time.
2. Interested students will complete applications and return them to the activities directors by
the date designated. Scholarship directors will decide how to distribute applications, and
verify information on completed applications.
3. PBA hostesses will pick up completed applications on designated dates. They will be judged
by a panel of judges determined by the Senior Royalty Court committee. The panel will
choose the top five applicants from each school from the completed applications.
4. The names of the top 5 candidates will be given to the school scholarship directors on he
dates designated. The scholarship director, along with other school faculty, will determine
the best method to choose their school’s princess. This can be done by a student or faculty
vote, general assembly, or secret ballot. One princess must be chosen with remaining
candidate’s name runners-up in ranking order. The process of judging will be at the sole
discretion of the faculty.
5. The names of the school’s princess will be given to the PBA no later than the designated
date.
6. The selection of the Queen from all participating Jackson County High Schools will be done
at a judging and coronation event that shall be the responsibility of the PBA.
7. The judging criteria and points used in selecting the Queen will be:
Leadership Skills
Interview
Written Essay
Presentation of Essay
Impromptu Questions
25 points
25 points
25 points
15 points
10 points
8. The judging criteria used in selecting the top 5 applicants from each school will be at the sole
discretion of the PBA.
9. If the Princess cannot fulfill her duties, the school may then designate their 1st runner up as
their Princess. However, if the new Princess has not attended Orientation, or the 1st meeting,
the school forfeits their right to their representation of a princess.
PEAR BLOSSOM SENIOR ROYALTY COURT QUALIFICATIONS
CANDIDATE MUST:
1. Be a full-time female student and a member of the graduating class.
2. Have a GPA of 3.5 or better
3. Have a citizenship record of 3.0 or better (if applicable)
4. Have a good attendance record (if applicable)
5. Health must not prohibit princess from carrying out any duties required.
6. Never been married or been a parent, if a princess marries before her graduation date, she
will forfeit her title.
7. Not eligible if competing in another pageant, or currently holding a title. (Does not include
school functions and titles)
8. Must be able to physically attend rehearsal, pageant, and parade.
TIME LINE 2013-2014
October 1 to November 1
Applications distributed to all Jackson
County High Schools
December 2
Completed applications turned in to Pear
Blossom Committee
December 6
Top 5 applicants selected from each
high school
December 20
Princess chosen from each high school
January 6
Orientation meeting for princesses
and parents
January – April
Community Appearances
Workshops/Seminars
Pageant Preparation
March 28
Pageant Rehearsal
March 29
Pear Blossom Senior Royalty
Scholarship Pageant
April 12
Pear Blossom Parade
PEAR BLOSSOM FESTIVAL SENIOR COURT APPLICATION
(May be computer generated-use this format-MUST BE TYPED)
STUDENT’S NAME____________________________________________AGE________
ADDRESS____________________________________________________PHONE______
SCHOOL_____________________________________________________GPA_________
PARENT OR GUARDIAN____________________________________________________
SOCIAL SECURITY No.________________________________________DOB_________
ACCOMPLISHMENTS
(attach separate sheet if necessary, MUST be typed, using this format and order)
SCHOLASTIC HONORS & AWARDS_____________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
SCHOOL ACTIVITIES__________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
CIVIC INVOLVEMENT_________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
HOBBIES AND INTERESTS_____________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
LEADERSHIP INVOLVEMENT__________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
FUTURE EDUCATION/CAREER PLANS__________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
SENIOR ROYALTY COURT APPLICATION (CONT.)
PLEASE ATTACH THE FOLLOWING:
1. One 3x5 or smaller size photo
2. One Essay, TO BE PRESENTED LIVE ON STAGE AT PAGEANT
Essay Theme: My Life’s Inspiration; Past, Present, and Future
Essay must be typed, in double-spaced format.
Minimum 300 words, Maximum 350 words.
Essay-writing & presentation worth 40% of pageant score
No revisions allowed-original essay will be your presentation to judges and audience
3. One recommendation in sealed envelope from a teacher, employer, community leader
or counselor.
4. Copy of most recent report card or scholastic record showing GPA.
5. One 50-word, handwritten paragraph on “Why I Want to Be Pear Blossom Queen.”
(Minimum 50 words, Maximum 55 words)
IF ANY OF THE ABOVE REQUIREMENTS ARE INCOMPLETE, APPLICANT WILL
BE DISQUALIFIED-APPS DUE TO COMMITTEE BY DEC. 2ND.
STUDENT SIGNATURE___________________________________DATE______________
I have read and understand he rules, obligations, and commitments involved in running for and
being part of the Pear Blossom Senior Royalty Court, and hereby give my permission for my
daughter (ward) to participate.
PARENT SIGNATURE____________________________________DATE_______________
******************************************************************************
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FOR SCHOOL/COUNSELOR USE ONLY
APPROVED BY___________________________________________DATE_______________
(Counselor)
******************************************************************************
FOR PEAR BLOSSOM COMMITTEE USE ONLY
Remarks______________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
JUDGING CRITERIA
LEADERSHIP-25 points
Civic involvement, scholastic achievement, school activities, volunteer projects, special interests.
Classes and area of study follow chosen major.
INTERVIEW-25 points
Ability to answer questions clearly and concisely. Able to communicate well with the
interviewer. Good posture, graceful movements, healthy and wholesome in demeanor. Selfassured, ability to deal competently and gracefully with the public and the press. Able to act as
ambassador of the Pear Blossom Festival Association.
ESSAY-25 points
Covers subject well, staying on the subject and within the 300-350 word limit. Good sentence
structure, correct spelling, avoids run-on sentences or incomplete sentences. Content shows
good thought and expression. Grammatically correct. Must be original work written by the
applicant. Essay must depict originality and follow the theme “My Life’s Inspiration; Past,
Present, and Future.”
PRESENTATION OF ESSAY-15 points
Pleasant voice quality, good expression, good voice volume. Clear pronunciation, enthusiasm
and warmth, sincerity. Gestures kept to a minimum. Stage props will be provided by the Pear
Blossom committee, and will follow the theme of the current Pear Blossom year. Memorization
of essay at sole discretion of princess.
Written essay will be performed during pageant, for judges and
audience, no revisions allowed after original essay is turned in with completed application.
IMPROMPTU QUESTION-10 points
Indication of ability to “think fast” and communicate well under pressure. Ability to follow idea
of question and answer knowledgeably, quickly and honestly.
PEAR BLOSSOM FESTIVAL SENIOR ROYALTY COURT GUIDELINES
1. Each high school in Jackson County to select a senior girl to represent their school in the
Pear Blossom Festival Queen Pageant.
2. Criteria for selection-must meet PBA qualifications. Selection of Queen will be the most
points awarded under judging criteria.
3. Judges for selection of 5 candidates from each school will be selected by Pear Blossom
Senior Royalty Court committee members.
4. Judges for pageant will be selected jointly by the sponsoring organization and the Pear
Blossom Association.
5. The Queen will receive a $2000 scholarship and all princesses will receive a $500
scholarship.
6. All princesses will receive a Pear Blossom Wardrobe and various gifts determined by various
sponsors.
7. Candidates will not be required to sell tickets or raise money. Each princess will be given
two tickets for their personal use.
8. Princesses will be required to be visible, make public appearances, per contract terms, and
Build community awareness for the festival. Princesses will also be required to attend events
during the Pear Blossom Festival.
9. Princesses will agree to follow a dress code appropriate to events attended. (To be
Determined by PBA and/or sponsoring organization. Will be limited to wardrobe provided
by PBA.)
10. Candidates will be responsible for a formal gown and shoes for the pageant, which must pass
the inspection of the committee. Evening gown must be long, have straps, and cannot be the
“high/low” style. Gowns may not have trains attached, or have “cutouts”. Princesses will not
be judged on evening gowns. Minor alterations to make dress adhere to pageant
specifications, such as adding clear straps to a strapless dress, are available if needed at no
cost to the princess.
11. Candidates will follow dress code for formal interview with the Pageant Judges. The outfit
will be limited to the wardrobe provided by the PBA.
12. All essays turned in are final as written. No rewrites or changes allowed.
13. The Queen and her court may be asked to participate in other community events.
14. Scholarship designation and regulation to be administered by PBA. Guidelines for
scholarship designations are to be outlined in the terms of the contract.
15. Impromptu questions will be based in personal and general issues.
16. There will be no registration fee or potential costs to the princesses.
17. All applications and information become the property of the PBA.
18. Princess must have transportation to and from meetings and appearances.
INFORMATION AND RULES FOR PEAR BLOSSOM SENIOR ROYALTY COURT
The girls who are selected as princesses will be required to sign an agreement with the Pear
Blossom Association wherein she agrees to abide by its rules and policies governing conduct,
public appearances, scholarship disbursement, and protocol. Parents are also required to sign the
agreement, agreeing to the rules and policies.
All applications and accompanying forms will become the property of the PBA and will not be
returned to the princesses.
APPEARANCES
All princesses will be required to attend 60% of the scheduled appearances. Examples include
service clubs, other community festivals or parades, community events and PB activities. During
appearances, princesses must remain for duration of the event unless prior arrangements have
been made.
The PBA will attempt to keep any scheduling conflicts to a minimum, and will take into
consideration princesses’ personal schedules when planning appearances.
Princesses will agree to follow a dress code appropriate to events attended. The PBA will
determine the dress code and will provide outfits appropriate for events.
Parents may be invited to attend certain activities or events, however, if no invitation is issued,
all activities, rehearsals, and workshops will be closed to anyone other than princesses,
committee members, instructors, and assistants.
Each princess will be given two tickets to the pageant for their personal use. Other tickets may
be purchased from committee members. Princesses will be allowed to take tickets and sell to
friends and family to attend pageant, however they are not required to do so.
Any health problems of the princesses (allergies, etc.) should be reported to the hostess.
Princesses should continue to be involved in school and graduating class activities. A list of
dates and times of various school activities should be given to committee members to help in
plans to attend as many as possible.
There must be nothing to imply endorsement of any product or service by any member of the
court or her family. Requests for pictures, interviews, or public appearances must be cleared by
the pageant director and/or the PBA.
Princesses are required to attend all workshops and classes given. Dance rehearsals (if needed)
are also mandatory and if not attended, the princess will forfeit her right to participate in the
pageant dance routine.
CODE OF CONDUCT
Pregnancy or illegal activity will be immediate grounds for dismissal. If a princess is unable to
fulfill her duties for this reason, or any other reason, the first runner-up from the same school
will assume the duties as princess. However, if the new princess has not attended Orientation, or
the first meeting, the school forfeits their right to representation of a princess.
It is imperative that princesses arrive at each event, appearances, workshops, and pageant
activities on time. If a time schedule cannot be met, the princess must inform a committee
member of her delay.
Princess must provide their own transportation to each event.
PROTOCOL
Princesses will conduct themselves properly at all times to represent their school and community
within the rules and guidelines set forth by the PBA.
The following rules must always be adhered to by all members of the Court:
No smoking
No drinking
No sunglasses when in parades or official court activities
Always be ready to go according to the schedule in order too not keep others waiting
RELEASE OF REQUIREMENTS
A princess is not required to attend dance classes or perform dance routine if dance is against
denominational beliefs of princess or her family.
SCHOLARSHIP DESIGNATION
The scholarship is good for any accredited college or university as long as the princess/queen
attends school. Money will be sent directly to the school of the princess/queen’s choice. Total
amount of the scholarship is $2000.00 to the Queen, and $500 to each princess, to be paid to the
school for tuition and/or registration fees.
In order to avail herself to the scholarship monies, the princess/queen:
1. Will be a graduate of a Jackson County High School
2. Will have been selected by her school as a Pear Blossom Princess
3. Will give written notice to the PBA before August 1st of the year she served as a
princess/queen, of her intention to avail herself if the scholarship within two years
after her graduation. The notice should bear the signature of her parents or legal
guardians giving their consent and approval and include the name and mailing
information of the educational institution, the princesses’ signature, and her social
security number.
Exceptions to #3 above will be considered on an individual basis and the decision will rest on the
PBA.
Tuition fees and college or university charges will be paid to these institutions by the PBA.
Princesses must begin their attendance at the college or university of their choice within the
second year after the date of graduation from a Jackson County High School.
Failure to continue in attendance at college shall revoke the right to receive any of the sums of
money herein provided.
With the consent of the Pear Blossom Association, a princess/queen may elect to attend a
specialized course of study, in which event all the regulations contained herein shall apply.
Scholarship monies will not be disbursed to schools before August 1st of the upcoming school
year in which the princess attends.
Attendance at the Pear Blossom Festival Parade is a requirement for a princess/queen to receive
her scholarship. If she cannot attend, prior approval must be obtained from the Pear Blossom
Board. Princess/Queen will forfeit scholarship monies if they do not attend the parade. Special
circumstances will be considered by the PBA.