Contestant Guidelines & Expectations
Becoming part of Miss Carlisle Ice Queen begins with understanding the commitment that comes with the experience. These guidelines provide contestants and families with important information about participating in the program, how to prepare, what to expect, and what serving as a member of the Ice Queen Court means.
The World Can't Wait to See Who You Were Made to Be.
Miss Carlisle Ice Queen Guidelines
OVERVIEW
The purpose of the Miss Carlisle Ice Queen Program is to empower young women in the Carlisle area and surrounding counties, molding them into future leaders of our community. Throughout their reign, the goal of this program is to improve self-confidence, partake in various community service opportunities and to focus on the advancement of scholastic achievement.
We offer scholarships to all age division winners and alternates, totaling over $3,000 each year. The scholarships are educational based, and they are earned through active participation with the Court the year following their crowning. Active participation includes helping with fundraisers, attending community events, and being an ambassador for the program in other ways.
The Miss Carlisle Ice Queen court will be comprised of (8) Individuals as stated below:
Little Miss Carlisle Ice Queen & Little Miss Carlisle Ice Queen Alternate
Junior Miss Carlisle Ice Queen & Junior Miss Carlisle Ice Queen Alternate
Teen Miss Carlisle Ice Queen & Teen Miss Carlisle Ice Queen Alternate
Miss Carlisle Ice Queen & Miss Carlisle Ice Queen Alternate
The reigning court will act as ambassadors for the Miss Carlisle Ice Queen Association.
IMPORTANT DATES & INFO
The contest will be held Saturday, January 23, 2027 at The Carlisle High School Swartz Auditorium in Carlisle, PA.
All age divisions to be combined into a continuous contest starting at 5PM with the crowning of each age division at the conclusion of the night.
***APPLICATIONS ARE DUE JANUARY 1, 2027***
There are three (3) mandatory date requirements leading up to and in addition to the competition:
Headshots: Tuesday 1/5/27
Photos are scheduled in the evening at The Carlisle Ribbon Mill in Carlisle, PA at the following times:
Little Miss | 6:00PM
Junior Miss | 6:30PM
Teen Miss | 7:00PM
Miss | 7:30PM
Practice: Sunday 1/17/27
All Age Divisions: 2PM-6PM
Practice: Friday 1/22/27
All Age Divisions: 5PM-9PM
All contestants will be required to pay a $50 application fee to confirm your participation in
the contest. Each contest will be capped at 16 contestants per age group and accepted on a
first-come-first-serve-basis.
JUDGING CRITERIA
No part of our scoring is based on beauty. We truly care about what is in the heart and mind of our contestants, not their outer appearance. We are heavily focused on diversity, and we believe every young woman deserves the chance to shine, no matter their race, religion, sexual orientation, disability, or socioeconomic status.
Little Miss Ice Queen Contest (5-8 Years Old)
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Small Group Interview with the Judges Panel
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Opening Number and Choreographed Dance (Non-judged)
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Brief On-Stage Introduction
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Recite Intro by Memory
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On-Stage Question and Answer
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Finalists will proceed on to a Final Question and Answer
Judged on: Interview, Degree of Self-Confidence and Maturity, Personality and Charm, On-Stage Question and Answer and Final Question and Answer
Junior Miss Ice Queen Contest (9-12 Years Old)
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Personal Interview with the Judges Panel
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Opening Number and Choreographed Dance (Non-judged)
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Brief On-Stage Introduction
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Recite Intro by Memory
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On-Stage Question and Answer
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Finalists will proceed on to a Final Question and Answer
Judged on: Personal Interview, Degree of Self-Confidence and Maturity, Personality and Charm, On-Stage Question and Answer, and Final Question and Answer
Teen Miss Ice Queen Contest (13-15 Years Old)
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Individual Interview with the Judges Panel
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Opening Number and Choreographed Dance (Non-judged)
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Brief On-Stage Introduction
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Recite Bio by Memory
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On-Stage Question and Answer
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Prepared Response to Provided Question
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Finalists will proceed on to a Final Question and Answer
Judged on: Personal Interview, Degree of Self-Confidence and Maturity, Personality and Charm,
On-Stage Question and Answer, Response to Provided Question, and Final Question and Answer
Miss Ice Queen Contest (16-20 Years Old)
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Individual Interview with the Judges Panel
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Opening Number and Choreographed Dance (Non-judged)
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Brief On-Stage Introduction
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Recite Bio by Memory
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On-Stage Question and Answer
-
Prepared Response to Provided Question
-
Finalists will proceed on to a Final Question and Answer
Judged on: Personal Interview, Degree of Self-Confidence/Maturity, Personality/Charm,
On-Stage Question and Answer, Response to Provided Question and Final Question and Answer
CONTEST RULES
1. Contestant must identify as a female and a U.S. citizen and resident of Cumberland County or one of the surrounding counties: Adams, Dauphin, Franklin, Perry or York.
2. Contestant must be within the following age ranges on competition day of that specific contest year.
Little Miss | 5-8 Years Old
Junior Miss | 9-12 Years Old
Teen Miss | 13-15 Years Old
Miss | 16-20 Years Old
3. Contestant must not be married, pregnant, or a parent at the time of the competition.
4. Contestant must not have been a former Miss Carlisle Ice Queen primary winner in the same age group, nor hold any other title for any other contest/pageant during her reign.
5. Contestant must have her parent(s)’ or guardians(s)’ consent to enter the competition.
6. Contestant must act in accordance with the Miss Carlisle Ice Queen “Behavior Policy.”
7. Contestant must be able to meet all time commitments, obligations, and dress code as set forth by the Miss Carlisle Ice Queen Association.
8. Contestants are required to attend a group or personal interview with the judges on the day of the contest, based on each age group. The association will schedule interviews and inform contestants of their appointment times.
9. Contestants are required to attend a photography session for program pictures as outlined above.
10. Contestants will appear in the following attire:
Little Miss
Dance attire, “Semi Formal” dress, with appropriate accessories. (I.e. - Flower Girl Dress) Pageant dresses are not required. The committee will notify contestants of the dance attire.
Junior Miss
Interview attire, dance attire & evening gown with appropriate accessories. (I.e. - Junior Bridesmaid Dress) The committee will notify contestants of the dance attire.
Teen Miss
Interview attire, dance attire, and evening gown with appropriate accessories. (I.e. - Homecoming/Prom Full-Length Dress) The committee will notify contestants of the dance attire.
Miss
Interview attire, dance attire, and evening gown with appropriate accessories. (I.e. - Homecoming/Prom Full-Length Dress) The committee will notify contestants of the dance attire.
11. Contestants are judged on-stage presence, speaking ability, personality, personal interview, response to on-stage questions, timeliness, and responsiveness.
12. If crowned as a part of the Miss Carlisle Ice Queen court it is mandatory to attend all festival activities you are scheduled for during the Carlisle Ice Fest weekend (February 2nd-4th) and throughout the year. Events include, but are not limited to; other fairs/festivals, parades, and community events.
13. Miss Carlisle Ice Queen and her court are expected to represent the association at various activities throughout the year and agree to return the following year to crown the new court. Should the Little Miss, Junior Miss, Teen Miss or Miss Carlisle Ice Queen be unable to fulfill her duties, their alternate will be asked to fill in.
14. If the Little Miss, Junior Miss, Teen Miss or Miss Carlisle Ice Queen fail to appear at the majority of events requested, they will be asked to step down.
15. The Miss Carlisle Ice Queen court may only wear their crown and sash when attending events to represent the Miss Carlisle Ice Queen Association. If the court is requested to attend events not scheduled by the Miss Carlisle Ice Queen Association, they must contact the association director for approval.
16. Contestants chosen as the Miss Carlisle Ice Queen court must have (1) and only (1) approved chaperone with them at all times during the festival and other community events.
17. Miss Carlisle Ice Queen and her court will refrain from the use of illegal drugs, alcohol and tobacco. Any usage of such products while the individual is wearing the title or representing the Miss Carlisle Ice Queen Association or program sponsors will result in her title being passed on (to the Alternate or the second runner-up in the case of the alternate). The use of profanity or inappropriate language is prohibited.
18. Contestants agree to abide by all the rules of the contest. Failure to abide by these rules will result in dismissal from the contest.
19. Decision of the judges is final. No score sheets or judges’ comments will be given out following the competition.
20. Good sportsmanship is expected of the contestants, her guests and family. Contestants are required to stay for pictures immediately following the announcement of the winners.
BEHAVIOR POLICY
The Miss Carlisle Ice Queen Association shall have the sole discretion to determine whether, in its judgment, the Miss Carlisle Ice Queen, her court or contestants may continue to participate in the program. In the event that the association determines that any statement or representation is not true and accurate, or that any action is inconsistent with the rules,
standards and dignity of the program, the association maintains the right to terminate an individual's participation.
The following will be considered violations of the policy and will be grounds for immediate disqualification, dismissal, and/or being banned from future Miss Carlisle Ice Queen contests:
1. Any infractions of any contest rules.
2. Smoking, drinking alcoholic beverages, foul language, and/or public displays of affection while wearing crown and/or sash and representing the program.
3. Engagement in any illegal, unpartisan, unethical, indecent, and/or morally questionable behavior, including but not limited to online representations on the internet such as social networking sites (Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Snapchat, TikTok, etc.).
4. Use of illegal controlled dangerous substances or abusing the use of alcohol and other dangerous substances.
5. Any defamation of the contest, its winners and contestants or the Miss Carlisle Ice Queen Program and their directors and committee members, whether it be oral or written. This includes postings on the internet.
6. Any uncooperative or unsportsmanlike conduct before, during or after the competition.
7. Appearing in tiara and sash at any event without an official invitation from an authorized event coordinator or event board member and approval by the Miss Carlisle Ice Queen Association.
DRESS CODE
Wearing of the Miss Carlisle Ice Queen crown and/or sash is to be considered an honor and privilege. The bearer represents herself, her family, her community and the Miss Carlisle Ice Queen Association. Therefore, professional appearance is expected while in crown and sash and the following rules must be maintained:
1. Attire that is conducive to the specific appearance or event (i.e., business casual, formal, etc.) is required.
2. No jeans, sneakers, or flip flops, unless approved by the Miss Carlisle Ice Queen Director.
3. Attire that is modest and represents the association in an appropriate manner.
4. No clothing that advertises, promotes, or glorifies the use of alcohol, tobacco, drugs, or anything inconsistent with the dignity of the Miss Carlisle Ice Queen program is permitted.
