Eastern States Pageant ESP, Eastern States Pageants of America ESP pageantry system is a complete waste of time and money and even if you win, you get NO crown! Chesterfield Virginia

 If that was our first pageant, I'd probably say the same thing not knowing any better. Bottom line is that there was a lot of information that was left out and misleading. This system is clearly at the beginning stages and is in need of money to build up the organization, so instead of it being about the girls it is sad to say that it's all about the money.  And if it wasn't about money then how does a participant come in runner up in one state yet still be named Queen for a completely different state that she had no idea about. The goal was to name everyone a queen so that everyone will have the opportunity to sign one of these contracts at the end.

 I didn't know I had to read between the lines and extra fine print for a pageant (I still haven't found anything stating such nonsense). Pageant moms beware! Regardless if what you claim the organization's intent is, I just want to let everyone know what really happens at an ESP pageant because NONE of this stuff was stated prior to the pageant.

 FYI: I didn't even scratch the surface about the whole experience because that's not what the real issue is. I could go on all day about the things that I disagreed with about the pageant, but I'm choosing to only display the wrong-doing of attempting to get over through not giving all information in hopes of exploiting participants at the end. Pageants do not require contracts! More importantly, queens should be crowned! That is all from me, God will handle the rest.

Just a few POSITIVE comments from our contestants and their families!

This is to defend Eastern States pageants in the accusations.

Eastern States Pageant is a "National" Pageant system meaning if you win your state title you advance to the national level to compete for the national title and cash scholarship, vacation packages,gift packages as stated on the website for the pageant. It is also stated all cash awards are based on participation.

Anyone who says they have attended many pageants and this was a disorganized and pricey one are full of themselves. ALL of the contestants this year received a 80% discounted entry fee.  This pageant system has been known for how organized and on time with scheduled events and running things smoothly. There are always a few bad seeds in the bunch that do not fully understand what a national pageant system is about and like to complain. 

Eastern States requires all state queens to attend nationals if they win their state title and to sell a very reasonable advertising page advertising compared to other national pageant systems out their that are required to sell double or triple the amount. 

There are strict guidelines for the competitions (attire, no make up under 13) as with any reputable pageant system. 

The state directors take pride in the queens that are chosen and expect them to represent thier title throughout the year as all national pageant systems do. In the past ESP has had state queens crowned and not follow through with their title and that has prevented the opportunity for their first runner up to have the opportunity to represent the state instead at the national level. The crowns being given upon pageant check-in at the national pageant is a way to prevent the few girls who only compete for a crown and banner and never have any desire to do another thing with their title to promote the pageant system and gather sponsors so their are larger awards at the national pageant.

These are the type of people that hurt the pageants and future contestants and this is what we are trying to avoid. We want people who are serious. If queens did not sign the contract their title was voided due to the fact that another girl could receive that title. The statement of "we will work with you"  was to help any contestant that could not reach their ad sales/sponsorship goal. Which is a very kind hearted attitude towards the contestant in which the director has been known to do several times in the past to help. This is not about the pageant making money it is about gaining enough to award the girls what they deserve. 

This pageant system is the only one that I know of that "works with" all the families to give their child the opportunity to compete for FREE or at a deeply discounted rate instead of paying a $350-$400 entry fee  like other state / national systems.

The director is disheartened that there are people out there that expect  something for nothing and do not realize what the directors sacrifice for their children's chance to compete in something and make memories that will last a lifetime. This is not about making money and if it was there would be NO free or discounted entries given ever.

There are high costs that goes in to producing a pageant (ballroom, trophies,banners,outfits,staff members and travel) and with little or no money coming in on the state level from contestants the national pageant does require some advertising sales that in return are given back in the form of vacations,scholarships and more that are all stated on the website. This is a pageant system that strives to make their contestants a more positive and self confident individual and promote the importance of family time in which the author of the complaint fails to see. 

To defend the director Tracey for not being present at the end of the final pageant, she has a medical condition and the evening before had a near fatal episode at the hotel. Close to being admitted to hospital she refused and forced herself to stick through until the end but was not able to stay for the entire final pageant. 

This is a pageant system dedicated to the happiness of all the girls and their families and try to work together to reach a goal for their children to better themselves.

I am very discouraged at this report that someone fails to see the true meaning of a state queen competing on a national level pageant system and expects something for nothing. There are queens who work so hard and go above and beyond and then there are a few who will always ruin it for everyone. 

It is obvious that this person who wrote the complaint did not read all information given or watch video on website.

Here is the contract and the pack of recruiting postcards that were handed to us at the end of the pageant without any warning Or explanation. Things like this should be stated in writing beforehand. Then again if it were how else would they be able to make off on aspiring children and their hardworking and dedicated parents.