Miss North Dakota National Pre-Teen Program

       Miss National Pre-Teen was created in 1980 By Sybil Shaffer, who modeled the program after the Miss National Teen-Ager scholarship pageant, which she founded in 1971. As in Miss National Teen-Ager, the emphasis in Miss National Pre-Teen was on personal accomplishments...attained individually and through participation in groups and organizations, with a heavy accent on academic achievement.
           The spirit of rewarding achievement continues. Divisions and award categories have been added, increasing the number of areas in which young women can receive recognition, rewards and encouragement to take their place as leaders in our society.

1984- A Year of Firsts. National Pre-Teen became the only pageant for this age group in which all 50 states, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands were represented. That year, Miss National Pre-Teen was the first pre-teen pageant to be televised nationally. Taped in Lehigh Acres, Florida and featuring Adam West, the original "Batman" as emcee, the pageant was syndicated and shown in 65 percent of the television market.

Pre-Teens Agree to "Just Say No" Shortly after its inception, Jeanne and Jim Wallin took the helm of Miss National Pre-Teen. Reading a magazine article, Jeanne came across a new ally in her efforts to promote strong purpose and help avert pitfalls for her pre-teens. She wrote and affiliated with "Just Say No International," then chaired by First Lady Nancy Reagan. This national non-profit organization (now "Youth Power") helps young people deal with peer pressure to experiment with drugs and alerts them to the dangers of drug abuse. Today, Miss National Pre-Teen provides pageant participants with information and encouragement to join the "Youth Power" program, formerly "Just Say No." Special awards are available on the state and national levels.

It's A Little Sister! In 1989, bowing to a barrage of requests, Miss National Pre-Teen created Miss Naitonal Pre-Teen Petite. The program, open to girls ages 5-8, has the same high stnadards as the pre-teen division, but is geared to this age level.

1990- National Talent Competition Added. The studies of many of our young contestants aren't limited to academcis. Contestants are encouraged to demonstrate accomplishments in the performing arts. On the state and national level, the Talent Division is optional. Competition is completely serparate, with its own scoring and prizes. Because talent scores don't count when choosing the state queen, some very talented young ladies weren't being recognized.
        With the encouragement from parents and state directors, a National Talent Division was created. Held in concert with the comeptition for the national crown, the National Talent is open to girls who score high in talent on the state level, but may or may not score in the top ten for the overall title. Depending on participation, prizes are awarded in several division, like dance, vocal, musical instruments, etc.

Princesses Join the Royal Family In 1991 a new divison was added to recognize runners-up in state pre-teen pageants. These "Pre-Teen Princesses" participate in all the activities at the national pageant and compete with each other for prizes and awards in a deparate division. The next year a Princess Division was added for the Miss National Pre-Teen Petites. At the annual national pageant, Miss National Pre-Teen and Pre-Teen Petite Princess division winners are awarded separate prizes.

Young Writer's Award Part of the scoring for the state and national titles is based on the ability to communicate verbally. What about those who can paint pictures with written words and express feelings with imagery or the measured meter of a poem?
       Miss National Pre-Teen considers writing ability a talent/achievement worthy of recoginiton. Since 1994, pre-teens and petites have been invited to submit short stories and poems for evaluation, awards, and possible publication on Writer's International Forum website.

The Altaira Young Award was created to recognize the original, outstanding, continuing community service of pre-teens. Inspired by and named after the 1991 Miss Illinois National Pre-Teen for her extraordinary dedication and resourcefulness in helping the need of her area. In two years, the "Santa's Elf Program," which she founded, collected and distributed over 3,500 scarves, hats, gloves and other winter clothing for needy children in the Kanakee, Illinois area at Christmas time.

Added in 1998, The Corlin Community Service Award: Established to honor and award participants on the National level, one Pre-Teen and one Pre-Teen Petite will receive a trophy and a $100 savings bond. All State Queens and Princesses who attend Nationals are eligible to compete for the award. Judging is based on number of completed hours, type of services, and variety of projects. Only verified community service going back no more than two years will count toward the award. School projects do not qualify unless they benefit the entire communirty.
        The award is named for the Corlin sisters, Meagan and Laura, of Strafford, New Hamshire. Both represented their state: Meagan as New Hampshire National Pre-Teen; and Laura as New Hamshire Pre-Teen Petite and New Hampshire National Pre-Teen. They were recognized in such national community service contests as: Make A Difference Day, Prudential Spirit of Community Awards and Seventeen Magazine's Covergirl Volunteerism Awards. The Corlins say they will continue to perform services for their community and that their real reward comes from the satisfaction of knowing they are helping others.

A Dream is Realized...
National Pre-Teen Scholarship Program
      The awarding of college scholarships is a long-standing practice in pageants for "older girls." National Director Jeanne Wallin was determined to set up a scholarship program for her National Pre-Teen participants.
        She spoke to attorneys, banks, accountants, and anyone else she thought might be able to help her set up a scholarship fund. Although she found little support and was often told hers was an impossible mission, she didn't give up. Her persistence finally paid off when she made contact with Citizens Scholarship Foundation of America and the scholarship program became a reality.
        National Pre-Teen opened the fund with a deposit of $2,500. NPT will continue to add to the fund and welcomes tax-deductible donations.
        At least four scholarships will be awarded each year, started in 2000, with amount determined by availability of funds.
        As of 1998, all current state pre-teens and finalists are considered for college scholarships through the National Pre-Teen Scholarship Program, based on their state application.

2001 - National Pre-Teen welcomes a new national director! Donna Gray, director of 14 states, including North Dakota, took head position of the National program in addition to her state programs. As she leads NPT into the new century, she plans to make the program the best it has ever been. Congratulations, Donna!