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Royalty Contests
Youth Achievement Day: Royalty contest rules and judging criteria
Royalty Categories
Each lodge may field multiple queen and king contestants. The lodge need not have a king contestant in order to have a queen contestant and vice-versa. The lodge may have a duchess to accompany the queen and a duke to accompany the king. In the event that a contestant wins the king or queen competition at district level and does not already have a designated duke or duchess, the District Youth Counselor may assign a duke or duchess from within the district to participate in the state competition.
King Contest Queen Contest Duke and Duchess (Not Competing)
Competition
State Level a District queens compete for the title of State Queen.
a District kings compete for the title of State King.
a The competition includes two interview questions, a brief walk before the judges, and the presentation of a prepared speech, not to exceed three minutes.
The royalty speech topic must incorporate SPJST and must make up 50 percent of the speech.
Royalty speech content shall be presented in a positive manner.
King and Queen Ages
8th through 11th Grades Example: Members who have completed 8th grade and submit an entry during the summer before 9th grade will be considered entrants for 8th grade. Likewise, members who have completed 11th grade and submit an entry during the summer before 12th grade will be considered entrants for 11th grade.
Royalty Speech Topic for 2022*
The topic for the 2022 royalty speeches is:
“My SPJST Family - What It Means To Me”*
a The speech must be in the contestant’s own words.
a The speech time limit is three minutes. A total of three points (one point by each of the three judges) will be deducted if a contestant exceeds the time limit. Time limit begins with the contestant’s first word.
a A king/queen contestant may compete at state if he/she has no competition at district, provided he/she qualifies in the district and presents his/her royalty contest speech at district. All efforts must also be made by the local youth leaders and the
DYC to see that there is competition.
Duke and Duchess Ages
Kindergarten through 5th Grade
General Royalty Rules
Entry Eligibility a No one who has previously won the State King or
State Queen title is eligible to enter the royalty contest again.
a The following youth cannot compete in royalty: • Any female who is or has been pregnant or has given birth to a child. • Any male who has caused a female to get pregnant. • Any youth who was convicted or treated for the use of drugs or alcohol during the past year. • Any youth who was convicted for any criminal offense (excluding minor traffic violations) during the past year.
a King and queen contestants must have participated in a previous YAD prior to participating in the royalty competition, unless in the case of a newlyorganized youth club. a If any technical difficulties should arise, the contestant should have the opportunity to restart the speech.
a Speech should not identify the contestant.
Contestants should not identify themselves in any way to the judges. Contestants must not include or mention their district number, lodge name and/or number, or District Youth Counselor (DYC) or youth leader’s name.
*Denotes change to Youth Club Handbook from previous year.
Royalty Entry Forms
All royalty contestants must submit the following with their online royalty entry forms.
Kings and Queens Speeches, autobiographies, and a headshot photograph must be included with the online royalty entry forms.
Dukes and Duchesses Autobiographies must be included with online royalty entry forms.
The DYC will notify the king and queen contestants 14 days prior to YAD for approval or changes in the speech concerning the incorporation of SPJST in the contestant’s speech.
Attire
Attire for district and state royalty contestants is as follows:
Queens and Duchesses Floor or tea-length formal gowns.
Kings and Dukes Dress clothes, including a coat and a tie (no tuxedos).
a The attire does not have to be the same for the district and state royalty contests. This is optional to the contestants. Failure of a king, queen, duke, or duchess to wear the prescribed attire will mean his or her exclusion from the contest. The DYC will determine the attire appropriateness at district, and the State Fraternal Director will determine the attire appropriateness at state.
a The contestant will have no facial hair and no visible body piercing or tattoos.
Royalty Judging Criteria
Interview No. 1............................................15 points Interview No. 2............................................15 points Speech Content............................................30 points (Includes adhering to topic) Speech Delivery...........................................30 points Stage Presence (Neatness, Poise, Appearance)................10 points
District and State Royalty Rules
The queen and king will reign for one year. If the queen becomes married and/or pregnant during her reign, she must relinquish her title to the first runnerup. If the king becomes married and/or causes a female to get pregnant during his reign, he must relinquish his title to the first runner-up.
Dukes and Duchesses
a A duke or duchess who has previously won at State
YAD cannot serve as State Duke or State Duchess again.
a There will be no substitutions allowed for State
Duke or State Duchess.
a During the royalty contest, the dukes and duchesses may be asked to give a short response to questions, but they will not be judged.
State King and State Queen Requirements
The State King and State Queen are required to make public appearances together with arrangements made by the State Fraternal Director. If the State King or Queen fail to make required appearances, their $1,500 royalty scholarship will be forfeited. State Royalty must be clean cut and have no facial hair, visible body piercings, or tattoos. State Royalty will be reimbursed for mileage, meals, and other expenses as approved by the Vice President of Communications.
*Denotes change to Youth Club Handbook from previous year. *Denotes change to Youth Club Handbook from previous year.
