Do I qualify to enter?
You must be 17-24 years old and have lived for at least six months or work full-time or are registered as a full-time student in La Crosse. Also have never been pregnant, and are to be of good moral character.

How is it judged?
Olympic judging style is used. A contestant is given a score between one and ten immediately after she competes in each area. Each young woman competes against a judging standard where a 10 is a Miss America, rather than the other contestants. What do you have to do to be a part of the Miss La Crosse/Oktoberfest Scholarship Program?
Each contestant who participates must sign a contract with the local pageant officials. The actual day of competition has five parts to it:

1. Interview (25%) - which takes place in the afternoon of the pageant. You are offered a 10-minute long interview with a panel of five judges. Judges ask questions for the next eight and one-half minutes. The 30-second is an optional part for you to add anything you think is important.

The judges base questions off your FACT SHEET and your PLATFORM (optional). The fact sheet is exactly what it says, facts about you, education, accomplishments, interests, etc. The platform sheet is written about an issue that is important to you, e.g. the environment, CPR, fitness, and something you can promote as Miss La Crosse. There are three questions you answer on the platform sheet. Both sheets are only one-sided 8 1/2" x 11". A nice suit or dress is appropriate for the interview. Look professional.

The committee will help you assist in preparing for this portion of the day.

2. Swimsuit (15%) - you are actually judged about 20 seconds. Judges are looking for how well you maintain a good figure that reflects good physical fitness and health.

3. Talent (35%) - talent of 90 seconds, if you need accompaniment it must be a CD. Judges are looking at your interpretive ability, technical skill level and stage presence.

4. Evening Wear (20%) - Judges are looking at overall first impression, sense of confidence, personality and stage presence, technique (walk, posture, carriage and grace), appropriateness of evening wear and composite appearance.

5. On-Stage Question (5%) - Judges are looking at overall first impression, ability to articulate both a sincere, engaging personality and her opinions, confidence and stage presence, ability to answer question in the time allotted and in context, do people want to listen to her?

What is the time commitment for Miss La Crosse/ Oktoberfest Scholarship Program?
Meetings/practices start in August, twice a week, they start at 7 p.m. for about one to two hours. During this time the committee prepares you for the interviews, helps select clothes and makes suggestions on your talent. Oktoberfest owns several swimsuits and evening gowns you can use for the competition, so you do not have to make such purchases.

One week prior to the show practices are every night from approximately 7-10 p.m. Attendance is required for every practice this week.

A couple of production numbers that are part of the show will require you to learn some basic dance steps. You may be asked to purchase a few minor accessories for the production numbers of the show.

What will I win?
Scholarship money, there are different scholarships for WTC, UW-L and Viterbo. There is also scholarships from other institutions and organizations. Plus gifts from area merchants.

What is expected of me if I am selected to be Miss La Crosse/Oktoberfest?
You will be part of Oktoberfest's royal family, your first official appearance is at the Mrs. Oktoberfest reception Wednesday evening before the start of fest. The week of fest you will be very busy, breakfasts, lunches, dinners, school and nursing home visits. There are four parades that week.  You will be escorted to all events by a grenadier couple. It is a very busy but fun week!

You will travel to St. Paul for Winter Carnival in January; Winnipeg, Canada for a festival in February; and to Minneapolis for Aquatennial in July. This travel is paid for by Oktoberfest.

A large number of parades in the summer from mid-May through the end of September you will have participate with the royal family. And of course, you will represent La Crosse at the Miss Wisconsin pageant in June, where there is more scholarship money available.

It is a yearlong commitment.

Beth Bruzek, Chairperson
To set up a personal visit call (608) 397-0387 or e-mail embruzek@hotmail.com