Mr. and Miss Akwa Ibom (AKISAN) USA National Competition Guidelines

Akwa Ibom State Association of Nigeria, USA, Inc. (AKISAN) is delighted that you are interested in participating in the run for the Mr./Miss Akwa Ibom National Competition. What an honor it is to represent your community and your culture. We, as an organization, are already proud of you for taking a bold step to showcase your exceptional skills and talent and highlight the magnificent aspects of Akwa Ibom culture.

Criteria for Entry in Mr./Miss Akwa Ibom USA National Competition

Prospective Applicants are males and females of Akwa Ibom descent, ages 18-26, and currently residing within the United States (US).

Applicants’ parents must be registered members of AKISAN in their local chapters and in good financial standing.

Applicants must be registered members in their various chapters.

Applicant understands that he/she must compete in the four main areas of competition in order to be selected as a National Competition winner; which includes the Introduction, Talent, Interview and Gentleman’s formal attire competitions.

Applicant understands that he/she must submit the required materials and information for the appropriate competitions (which includes the Introduction, Talent, and Formal attire) along with his/her entry application.

Applicant understands that he/she must uphold a pleasant, professional, and friendly demeanor at all times while representing the Mr./Miss Akwa Ibom USA National Competition and title.

Applicant understands that the judges’ decisions and scoring are final and will not be changed. The names of the National Competition judges will be announced before the beginning of the contest.

Applicant understands that the AKISAN Beauty Pageant Portfolio Committee and AKISAN reserve the right to add, change, or delete any of these guidelines at any time without giving notice.

Applicant is required to strictly adhere to the National Competition guidelines; and if any of these guidelines are broken by the applicant, the applicant understands that participation disqualification and title revocation will be the resulting resolution to the matter.

Requirements for Participation

Applicants represent their respective chapters; hence, a chapter will nominate its candidate.

In the event a chapter has more than one applicant, that chapter must conduct a chapter preliminary pageant to select a candidate who will officially represent the chapter at the National Pageant. Because the AKISAN National pageant does not cater to individual participation, therefore it is imperative that applicants/candidates obtain clearance from their local chapters.

Local chapters are mandated to perform due diligence on their applicants before presenting their flagbearers.

The Mr./Miss AKISAN pageant applicants must adhere to the National Competition rules and guidelines for this pageant. Failure to comply in full or in part is tantamount to disqualification from the contest and /or title revocation will be the resulting resolution.

Eligibility

All issues as to eligibility shall be determined solely and exclusively by Mr./Miss Akwa Ibom USA National Pageant Portfolio committee. Applicant agrees to abide by eligibility determination both as to him/herself and others. Applicant agrees to produce an original copy of his birth certificate to verify age and gender upon request. Applicant agrees to produce a color copy of his U.S. Passport or application of his/her U.S. Passport, green card, Nigerian Passport, or official documentation (if needed) indicating their immigration status prior to the National competition. The Committee reserves the right to refuse entry into the Mr./Miss Akwa Ibom National Competition to anyone for any reason as deemed necessary within the stated guidelines.

Tie-Ups

The winner may have a modeling, commercial tie-up, personal management and/or agency contract. This contract however does not include, authorize or permit the use of the name of the Mr./Miss Akwa Ibom USA National Competition, or any other registered trademark or trade name of the Akwa Ibom State Association or any title designation or reference with respect to the pageant in any manner.

Competition

The Mr./Miss Akwa Ibom National Competition will consist of a Self-Introduction competition segment which will be weighted at 25%, a Talent competition segment which will be weighted at 25%, a formal attire competition segment which will be weighted at 25%, and an Interview competition segment which will be weighted at 25%.

Open production Number (not judged)

The Mr./Miss Akwa Ibom National Competition will include a choreographed opening number. Applicants shall wear the designated color (introductory attire) for the opening number as specified by the competition coordinator. Information about the Opening Production Number and required attire is to be provided when available. The Opening Production Number is not judged.

Self-Introduction Competition (25%)

Applicants are required to present a 90-second self-introduction to include but not limited to: Name, age, parental linkage (village, Local Government Area) to Akwa Ibom State, educational status or occupation, future aspirations, and volunteer project.

Judging Criteria: Personal appearance, Personality, Voice articulation and vocabulary, Poise, Composure, Elegance, and Overall impression.

Talent Competition (25%)

Applicants are required to present a 3 to 4-minute artistic talent accentuating their natural talent. This will be an individual endeavor on stage. The use of musical accompaniment and/or instruments are allowed.

Judging criteria: Candidates will be assessed in the following areas: Initial stage appearance, ability to engage the audience, Originality/creativity, Personality, Timeliness, Poise, Overall performance, and Audience response.

Formal Attire (25%)

Applicants are required to model evening attire. Mr./Miss Akwa Ibom National must carry him/herself with dignity, grace, poise, and elegance. Judges will not be evaluating the cost or designer label of the attire, but rather how well it suits the Applicant (e.g. fit, color, style) as well as Applicant’s on-stage presentation. The attire should be expressive of our African (Nigerian) culture and fashion sense.

Judging criteria: Overall first impression, Modeling technique, Grooming, Personality and Stage presence, Appropriateness of attire, and a Sense of fashion and style.

Interview Competition on Stage (25%)

Applicants are required to provide an answer to a posed interview question. Applicants must be able to express themselves with confidence. Applicants will respond to questions on-stage. The questions will be drawn randomly from a question pool by the Applicant and addressed on stage.

Applicants will have 2 minutes to articulate the answer to the posed question.

Judging criteria: Articulation, Quality of Response, Validated Opinions, Speech, Vocabulary and Grammar, Responses in Context, Emotional Control, Poise, Personality, Intelligence, and Eloquence.

Judges/Panelist

A minimum of 5 judges will evaluate applicants in the four categories of the competition. AKISAN Pageant Coordinators have sole discretion and complete authority to select judges. Reasonable efforts are made to secure a culturally and professionally diverse panel of judges Judges’ names are not released to Applicants prior to arrival at the pageant site.

Applicants may not approach the judges or engage in conversation with judges prior to or during the competition. Applicants who are observed approaching a judge or engaging in conversation with a judge beyond a brief greeting risk immediate disqualification. Judges are provided with training and instructions regarding scoring procedures prior to the competition. The decision of the judges is final and not contestable for any reason.

Scoring

Scoring is conducted on a 10-point scale for each category.

A one (1) point deduction will be applied to all overtime performances.

The final score from each category will be tallied.

The Applicant with the highest final total score will be elected the Winner.

The Applicant with the next highest final total score will be elected the Runner-up.

Breaking Ties

Should there be a tie, all contestants will engage in a second round of Interviews on Stage. The scores from this round will be added to the original final scores for each Applicant. The Applicant with the highest final score will be elected the Winner.

The Applicant with the next highest final score will be elected the Runner-up.

Awards

The applicant who emerges as the Mr./Miss Akwa Ibom USA National Competition Winner will be awarded the following (on stage):

Crown, Sash, and a Cane (Mr. Akwa Ibom).

A designated cash amount which will be presented as a check (On stage)

The applicant who emerges as the Mr./Miss Akwa Ibom USA National Competition Runner-up will be awarded the following: 

A designated cash amount, not to exceed the cash value awarded to the first-place winner will be presented as a check (on stage)

Deadlines

The entry deadlines are posted on the www.AKISAN.org site under the Pageant link. Preliminary pageants at the local chapter level must be concluded by the National competition entry deadline. There will be no exceptions under any circumstances. In the event that a local chapter is unable to conduct a local pageant, the chapter can nominate a representative to compete in the national pageant. All required applicant paperwork (e.g., Biographical Information Form, etc.) must be complete and received by the Pageant Coordinator managing the AKISAN Pageant portfolio which is posted in the paperwork on or before the designated deadline. Required headshot photo for the Official Program Booklet must be received by the deadline which is posted in the paperwork. All deadlines are strictly enforced and must be adhered to by applicants and preliminary pageant directors. Applicant (and coordinator, if applicable) understands and agrees to the following penalty for late submission of required items, including paperwork and photography by posted deadlines: A total of 1 point per day per late item is deducted from Applicant’s total score.

Other Requirements

Biographical Information: Applicant must submit biographical information including, Full Name, age, parental linkage (village, Local Government Area) to Akwa Ibom State, Local Chapter Represented, School Attended, Future Aspirations, and Project Portfolio.

Photography: Applicant must submit a headshot photo for the AKISAN National Convention Program Booklet and the Mr./Miss Akwa Ibom National webpage.

Attire: Applicants will provide their own competition attire. Other wardrobe requirements (if applicable) will be posted on the pageant website.

Travel: Applicants will make their own travel arrangements. AKISAN National is not responsible for arranging travel or intervening/resolving disputes involving travel to the convention site for the pageant competition.

Hotel: Applicants may stay in the convention hotel but they are not required to. Although applicants must stay in a hotel close enough to pageant activities and provide their own transportation to and from the host hotel. Applicants and their families must make their own hotel reservations.

Code of Conduct

Applicant affirms that he/she is and will continue to be a person of good moral character; that he/she has not committed and will not commit any act inconsistent with the highest standards of public morals and conventions or that will reflect unfavorably on the pageant, the AKISAN organization, its representatives, and/or sponsors. That he/she has not appeared in nude or provocative photographs for any film or publication prior to, during the pageant finals, or during his/her reign should he/she become a Preliminary Winner. 

The applicant will not slander or libel other contestants, judges, staff or anyone else involved with or connected to the Mr./Miss Akwa Ibom USA National Competition. Defamatory verbal and/or written remarks against AKISAN and the Mr./Miss Akwa Ibom USA Pageant will result in immediate disqualification, forfeiture of any and all prizes and awards won, and legal charges. 

Any Applicant found publicly posting slanderous remarks on public forums will be immediately disqualified. Good sportsmanship is expected at all times. Disruptive behavior before, during, or after the pageant may result in disqualification, removal from the premises, and legal charges. The candidate will conduct his/herself in a courteous and professional manner during the Mr./Miss Akwa Ibom USA National Competition, after he/she won the Mr./Miss Akwa Ibom USA title, throughout his/her reign as Mr./Miss Akwa Ibom USA, and at all times. Applicant agrees to sign a Code of Conduct statement indicating an agreement to abide by the terms specified here. Failure to sign the Code of Conduct statement does not in any way release Applicant from responsibility to abide by the Code of Conduct stated here. All issues related to the Code of Conduct and consequences for violation thereof shall be determined solely and exclusively by AKISAN National Pageant coordinators, and AKISAN Legal counsel. Applicant agrees to accept such determinations made by both him/herself and others.

Participation in the National Competition

Applicants are expected to be on time and present for all scheduled rehearsals and events leading up to and during the pageant. Applicants will lose 1 point for each unexcused missed event. In the event of illness, an applicant may be excused from attending an event. AKISAN pageant portfolio coordinator is the only individual with the authority to release an applicant from a scheduled event.

Winner’s Contract

If selected as the Mr./Miss Akwa Ibom USA National, applicant agrees to sign a contract stating the agreement to arrange with the Pageant Coordinator and make appearances throughout his year’s reign. Appearances may include but are not limited to AKISAN Council meetings; youth events, volunteer events, convention interviews; and public appearances at events all within the United States. Winners are expected to make appearances and provide photographs of appearances to the National Pageant Coordinator for the promotion of the next Mr./Miss Akwa Ibom Competition on the AKISAN website and other media sources. If the applicant is unwilling to sign the contract and/or unable or unwilling to fulfill the obligations, the title won and all prizes will be awarded to the first runner-up.

The reign of Mr./Miss Akwa Ibom USA will commence immediately after the crowning and will end immediately following the crowning of their successor. Mr./Miss Akwa Ibom USA National agrees to make regular contact with the local chapter of Mr./Miss Akwa Ibom by phone, letter, or e-mail in addition to the local Youth chapter Presidents and the Local Chapter Presidents, at least quarterly to ascertain and discuss the state of the youths within each chapter. Mr./Miss Akwa Ibom USA National agrees to provide the AKISAN Pageant portfolio Committee Chair, with copies of articles pertaining to his/her reign and pictures of appearances for the pageant history library. The winner is expected to give his/her time and energy to this title and this title only during his/her year’s reign. The winner may have a modeling, commercial tie-up, personal management, and/or agency contract, which contract, however, does not include, authorize or permit the use of the name of the Mr./Miss Akwa Ibom title, or any other registered trade name, trademark, or logo of AKISAN, or any title designation or reference with respect to the organization or pageant in any manner. Mr./Miss Akwa Ibom USA National agrees to attend the next year’s pageant to crown his successor. The winner’s travel, and lodging expenses will be arranged for and paid by AKISAN National.

Any pledges and/or financial sponsorship or gifts awarded by an external organization and/or individual to the Mr./Miss Akwa Ibom National title holder must be made through the AKISAN National Secretariat. Any such funds will be routed to the Pageant budget and dispersed to Mr./Miss  Akwa Ibom USA title holder for his/her specified project. All activities conducted under the office of the National Beauty Pageant/National Competition must be accompanied by receipts and submitted to the AKISAN National Secretariat for tax recording purposes and in keeping with our 501©3 status.

Mr./Miss Akwa Ibom National title holder shall not travel within or outside of the United States for appearances and/or projects without first submitting the nature of the appearances and/or projects, the travel plan, and the budget to the AKISAN Pageant Portfolio Committee Chair for approval. Upon approval of the appearances and/or projects, the AKISAN Pageant Portfolio Committee will do whatever is necessary to facilitate the trip, including assigning of AKISAN representative to accompany Mr./Miss Akwa Ibom USA National title holder. AKISAN shall not be responsible for any unapproved appearances and/or travels and any title holder who violates the guidelines may be disqualified.

Statement of Understanding & Agreement

Publicity and Promotion: By virtue of participation in the Mr./Miss Akwa Ibom USA National Competition, the applicant agrees to allow AKISAN, the right to use his/her name, likeness, voice and/or biographical information for purposes of publicity and promotion now and in the future. Applicant understands that his/her name, likeness, voice, and/or biographical information may be used on the internet, in print advertising, press releases, and merchandise related to the Mr./Miss Akwa Ibom National Competition (e.g., t-shirts, tote bags, hats, other apparel, mouse pads, and other promotional materials.) Applicant agrees to release AKISAN from liability for any injury resulting from publicity and promotion. Applicant agrees to waive any and all compensation for the use of his/her name, likeness, voice, and /or biographical information for purposes of publicity and promotion.

Photography & Videography: Applicant and their families are permitted to take photos and video during events and up to the on-stage pageant competition event, as long as it does not interfere with the production of the event and does not obscure any other viewers of the event from freely and adequately enjoying the entertainment. Individuals who fail to comply with this rule will be asked to leave the venue without the benefit of a refund for the convention registration/admission ticket.

Disqualification / Title Relinquishment: If an applicant is disqualified or relinquishes, for any reason, any title awarded to him/her, all prizes must be returned in full, and in condition received. If, for any reason, the winner resigns or is disqualified, the 1st runner-up will assume the title and all prizes.

Limitation of Liability / Responsibility:

a) AKISAN, its National officers, Board of Trustees, and Chapter Presidents, current and past, are not liable to the applicant for anything whatsoever in connection with any preliminary pageant leading to the Mr./Miss Akwa Ibom National Competition. Preliminary pageant applicant agrees to look solely to the Pageant Director with respect to all matters relating to his/her application, rules, regulations, policies, preparation, rehearsal, performance and selection process, and all other matters relating to the pageant.

b) AKISAN, its National officers, Board of Trustees, Chapter Presidents, current and past, and pageant personnel/volunteers are not responsible for accidents, injury, or theft incurred at the time of the Mr./Miss Akwa Ibom National Competition or during travel to and from the competition site.

c) AKISAN is not responsible for loss, theft, or damage caused to any and all prizes, gifts, and awards bestowed upon the applicant after these items become the property of the applicant. Applicant agrees to incur replacement and/or repair costs to lost, stolen, or damaged items including but not limited to crown/tiara, sash, Cane, plaques, trophies, etc.

Agreement: By submitting the entry form for Mr./Miss Akwa Ibom USA Competition to the National Pageant Portfolio committee chair on any Competition leading to the Mr./Miss Akwa Ibom USA National Competition, the applicant agrees to abide by all policies, guidelines, rules, and regulations set forth by AKISAN and National Pageant Portfolio Committee. Participation in the Mr./Miss Akwa Ibom USA National Competition also indicates acceptance and agreement to abide by all policies, guidelines, rules, and regulations set forth by AKISAN and the National Pageant Portfolio Committee. Applicant attests that all information submitted is true and accurate. Falsification of information and failure to comply with the policies of Mr./Miss Akwa Ibom USA National Competition may result in immediate disqualification and/or forfeiture of prizes won without the benefit of a refund in full or in part at the sole discretion of AKISAN.