The Details
January 10-12, 2025
Sheraton West Des Moines
1800 50th St
West Des Moines, IA 50266
Book your hotel room at the UNM IA/NE Group Rate - Coming Soon
State Pageant Entry Fee: $325
or
Sweetheart Division (non-competitive) Entry Fee: $150
See state handbook for full rules and info.
Age Divisions (age as of June 1, 2025)
Ages 4-6 Jr Princess
Ages 7-9 Princess
Ages 10-12 Preteen
Ages 13-15 Jr Teen
Ages 16-19 Teen
Ages 20-25 Miss
Required Competitions
Evening Gown
Wear a floor length evening gown of your choice. Judges will be looking for elegance, grace, and poise on stage in a gown that is flattering, fits well and is age appropriate. The Evening Gown competition is 30% of your overall score.
Interview
Wear an interview outfit of your choice that showcases your personal style and makes you feel empowered.
Ages 10-25 will interview "panel style" in front of all judges for four minutes and must present a brief un-rehearsed ice breaker introduction upon entering the interview room.
Ages 4-9 will interview "round robin" having 1 minute with each judge individually.
Interview questions will come from your Interview Bio Sheet which can be found on the Links page. Please bring 5 copies of your ONE page bio sheet to registration. The judges are looking for how well you can hold a conversation, be engaging, connect with others and articulate your thoughts, as well as age appropriate attire. Interview is 40% of your overall score.
Runway
Wear a red carpet style outfit of your choice in this fun and upbeat competition that allows you to showcase your personality and sense of fashion style. Judges will be looking for modeling ability, personality, age appropriate attire and stage presence. The Runway competition is 30% of your overall score.
Optional Competitions
Cover Model (Photogenic)
Sign up for our photogenic competition for a chance to win the title of State Cover Model. Photos must be no larger than 8x10 and turned in at pageant check in. Photos must be high quality, age appropriate and follow UNM’s makeup rules.
Casual Wear
Work the stage in your favorite trendy casual outfit and show your modeling ability and personality. No props are allowed. Outfit must be age appropriate.
Supermodel (Runway+Photogenic)
This modeling competition is based on your Cover Model photo entries and your runway score during the Runway competition.
Fitness (Senior Division Only)
Jr. Teen, Teen and Miss delegates can showcase their physical fitness in this fun optional competition. Wear your favorite activewear!
Talent
The stage is yours! In this optional competition you have 2 minutes to perform your prepared talent presentation and wow the judges. Bring any music needed on a flash drive with file labeled with your full name, state and age division.
Role Model
This competition is based on community service and academic achievement as depicted in a digital scrapbook. Must be submitted prior to pageant check in. Link to submit will be sent to the delegate upon registration for this optional.
Model Portfolio
Submit 3 or more photos showing your modeling talents at pageant check in. Comp cards accepted.
State Photoshoot
Work the camera in an optional photoshoot with a professional photographer. Contestant will be judged on modeling skills and ability to take direction. Winners will receive an edited selection of their best photos to add to their portfolio.
Sweetheart Division
What is the Sweetheart Division?
The Sweetheart Division is UNM Iowa|Nebraska’s non-competitive pageant experience. Participants will appear before the judges in the Evening Gown, Runway and Interview competitions and join all parties and activities with the State Title Competitors. Participants will be recognized on stage at the final show and judges comments will be provided to participants after the pageant.
Who is the Sweetheart Division for?
Everyone! The Sweetheart Division is great for pageant practice, seeing what UNM is all about, gaining skills and experience, or trying a pageant for the very first time! Participants will enjoy a fun and exciting pageant experience, rock the stage and make lifelong memories in this low pressure, affordable division. Anyone that is eligible for the UNM National Miss pageant can register for the Sweetheart Division.
Sweetheart Division participants can compete in optionals!
Participants in our Sweetheart Division can register and participate in our optionals alongside our State Title Competitors! As the optionals have no bearing on the results for the overall State Title competition, Sweetheart Division are welcome to compete for our optional state titles!
Attend Nationals with an appointed title!
Fall in love with UNM and ready to rock the national stage? Even if you don’t compete for the State Title, you are still welcome to attend Nationals with an appointed title! Registration is through the national website and all fees are the responsibility of the participant.