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Miss National Pre-Teen was created in 1980 by Sybil Shaffer, who modeled the program after the Miss National Teen-Ager, the emphasis in Miss
National Pre-Teen was on personal accomplishments . . . attained individually and through participation in groups & organizations, with a heavy
accent on academic acheivement.

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, Jim & Jeanne 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 to and
affiliated with "Just Say No" International, then chaired by First Lady, Nancy Reagan. This national non-profit organization helped young people
deal with peer pressure to experiment with drugs and alerted them to the dangers of drug abuse.

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

1990 . . . National Talent Competition added. The studies of many of our yound contestants aren't limited to academics. Contestants are
encouraged to demonstrate their accomplishments in the performing arts. On the state and national level, the Talend Division is optional.
Competition is completely separate, with its own scoring and prizes. Because talent scores don't cound when choosing the state queen, some
very talented young ladies weren't being recognized. With encouragement from parents and state directors, a National Talent Division was
created. Held in concert with the competition for the national crown, the National Talent Competition is open to girls who score high in talent on the
state level, but may or may not score in the top 10 for the overall title. Depending on participation, prizes are awarded in several divisions, like
dance, vocal, musical instruments, etc.

Princesses Join the Royal Family: In 1991, a new division 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 separate 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.

National Photo Miss: If posing for the camera is your forte, Miss National Pre-Teen has a program that awards savings bonds and may publish your
winning photo in a national magazine. Competition is open to girls & boys, ages 5-19. Judging based solely on how well you photograph.

Friendship Award: One of the most cherished and enduring prizes participants can take home from the national pageant isn't a trophy or a savings
bond. It's a lasting friendship that develops in the dressing rooms, during rehearsals, meals and on the elevators, between two girls and their
families. The first Friendship Award was presented in 1990 to Colorade Pre-Teen Jeanne Fitzgerald & Connecticut Pre-Teen Susan Nichitsi, who
met at the 1983 national pageant and seven years later were still best friends and shared family vacations.

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 needy 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 Kankakee, Illinois area at Christmas time.

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 recognition. Since 1994, pre-teens and petites have been invited to submit short stories and poems
for evaluation, awards and possible publication in Writer's International Forum magazine. Although not a part of the judging for the overall national
title, the "Young Writer's" competition is another way to win recognition.