Exemplary Pageants Handbook
2026–2027
Welcome to Exemplary Pageants, a boutique pageantry experience. This handbook is for all contestants and titleholders and is meant to serve as a guide throughout this unique pageant experience.
All contestants and titleholders are responsible for reading and knowing the information contained in this handbook. Please refer to this handbook before reaching out to Exemplary Pageants Staff with questions or concerns.
Meet the Staff
Dr. Rebekah Slayton
Founder & CEO
Rebekah is a former state, national, and international titleholder, as well as a former International Pageant Director. She resides in White House, Tennessee, with her husband, Brian, and their teenage son, Attikus.
Professionally, Rebekah is the Youth Services Director of the Robertson County Juvenile Court and has 26 years of experience in Child Welfare and Juvenile Justice. Her platform is Juvenile Justice Reform.
Phone/Text: (615) 960-4255
Email: rebekah@exemplarypageants.com
David Farmer
Executive Director & COO
David is a former state, national, and international titleholder. He resides in Marietta, Georgia, with his husband, Scott, and their three rescue dogs.
Professionally, David is a Delta Flight Attendant with over 19 years of experience in aviation. His platform is Suicide Prevention.
Phone/Text: (770) 776-7517
Email: david@exemplarypageants.com
Scott Sealy
Director of Productions
Scott resides in Marietta, Georgia, with his husband, David Farmer. Born and raised in Plano, Texas, Scott is a proud seventh-generation Texan.
He has a passion for photography and cooking and believes strongly in being a voice for those who cannot speak for themselves. His platform is Animal Welfare.
Tabatha Long
Director of Aesthetics
Tabatha resides in Dover, Tennessee, and is the mother of two grown children. She is the owner of Tabatha Nichole’s Salon and has 29 years of experience in the beauty industry.
Her platform is Calm After Chaos: Advocacy for Children Affected by Domestic Violence.
Sam Shimel
Ambassador Director
Sam resides in Phoenix, Arizona, and is an animal lover. Her platform focuses on helping shelter animals have the best lives possible.
Sam also strongly advocates for mental health and disability awareness.
Handbook Sections
Brief History of Exemplary Pageants
Established in January 2026 by Dr. Rebekah Slayton, Exemplary Pageants is a privately owned and licensed national pageant system. It is known as a boutique-style pageant because of its unique approach to offering quality pageantry to hand-picked and carefully vetted clientele.
Exemplary Pageants is designed for females ages 15 and up and is drama-free, mental health-friendly, and platform-based.
Inaugural Queens
- Miss Teen Exemplary: Morgan Simons — West Virginia
- Miss Exemplary: Ryleigh Long — Georgia
- Mrs. Exemplary: Elizabeth Worsham Burton — Tennessee
- Ms. Exemplary: Natasha Tackett — Kentucky
- Ms. Elite Exemplary: Jennifer Weber — Florida
- Ms. Exemplary Ambassador: Jennifer Wilde — Arizona
- Exemplary Nanny 2026: Kay Cowger Simons — West Virginia
- Exemplary Princess 2026: Paisleigh Stevens — Tennessee
Divisions
- Miss Teen: Ages 15–19, single
- Miss: Ages 20–29, single and/or engaged
- Mrs.: Ages 20–49, married and/or widowed
- Ms.: Ages 30–49, any marital status
- Ms. Elite: Ages 50+, any marital status
Age is determined as of January 1 of the pageant year.
Pageant Fees
Early Bird Registration: $600 from April 17, 2026 through June 1, 2026.
Standard Entry Fee: $800, including a $200 non-refundable deposit.
The entry fee includes the state/regional title, embroidered sash, tiara, mentorship, official t-shirt and tote bag, swag items, contestant swag bag, full-page program ad, competition sash, pageant program, family/friend admission to Finals and Crowning, and photo gallery from pageant weekend.
Non-Refundable Deposit
A $200 deposit reserves a title for 30 calendar days. If additional payments toward the balance are not made within 30 calendar days, the contestant forfeits the title and the title becomes available again.
2027 Exemplary Nationals
The 2027 Exemplary National Pageant will be held April 9–11, 2027 at the Holiday Inn Nashville Airport, located at 2864 Elm Hill Pike, Nashville, Tennessee.
A room block is available at the rate of $125 plus tax per night. Day parking is free. Overnight parking is $10 plus tax per night.
Optional Categories
Exemplary Paragon Optional
State/Regional Titleholders may enter for $50. Entry fee and email notification are due no later than January 1, 2027. Contestants will complete a runway walk in Fun Fashion or All Black Attire and will be judged on confidence and poise.
Exemplary Impact Optional
State/Regional Titleholders may enter for $25. Contestants must submit a digital portfolio, maximum 10 pages, highlighting service, volunteer hours, platform initiatives, fundraising, partnerships, testimonials, and photos. Submissions and fees are due January 1, 2027.
Mandatory Areas of Competition
- Interview: Press-conference style, up to 7 minutes, worth up to 50 points.
- Introduction: 15–30 seconds during Opening Number. Not scored.
- State Costume: Represents contestant’s state or region, worth up to 25 points.
- Formalwear/Evening Gown: Floor-length, age-appropriate gown, worth up to 25 points.
Exemplary Supreme
The titleholder with the highest overall score will win Exemplary Supreme. She will not be double crowned. If a divisional winner also wins Supreme, the first runner-up in that division will become the Divisional Queen.
The Exemplary Supreme will serve as the official Brand Ambassador for Exemplary Pageants during her reign.
Awards & Prize Packages
Congeniality, Best Interview, Best Costume, and Best Formalwear winners will each receive a sash and a $50 cash prize.
Divisional Queens will receive a national crown, embroidered sash, flower bouquet, additional gifts, retreat lodging, and a professional photoshoot.
The Exemplary Supreme will receive a custom crown, embroidered sash, scepter, flower bouquet, $500 cash at crowning, and $500 cash when she returns to crown her successor.
Pageant Rules
- Exemplary Pageants does not have non-compete contracts.
- Exemplary Pageants is not a crown-all system. Titles must be earned.
- Titleholders may not alter their sashes or add names to the back.
- No pageant-bashing will be tolerated.
- No violence or hate speech will be tolerated.
- Concerns should be emailed to both the CEO and Executive Director.
- Handbook information is subject to change at any time as determined by the CEO and/or Executive Director.