Mirror, Mirror on the Wall . . .

Before you read the tips below, read this:

Being well groomed is not a matter of being wealthy. Nice clothes can be found at reasonable prices.

1. Students need to look well groomed -- no "I just rolled out of the bed and jumped on the bus" looks.

2. Students should be dressed professionally. No jeans. Shirts should be tucked in, stockings should be worn, ties should be tied. (Shirts that don’t require ties are okay.) Looking like "a Philadelphia lawyer" is almost a necessity in a speaking event.

3. Hair must be styled in such a way that it does not interfere with seeing the student’s face. (I've seen ballots that had low scores because of this one)

4. Tennis shoes are not the best choice. (Goodwill sells shoes, too, as do other places.) If you change shoes before and after a round, don't do it just outside your competition room.

5. Popular though it may be, weird nail polish needs to be removed for competition.

6. Dangling jewelry is distracting.

7. At a certain age, make-up is a good idea if applied carefully.

8. Clothes that are too short or too tight take away from the performance.

9. Have a "fashion parade" before a tournament. I’m amazed at how kids will help each other out with ideas or with loaning items to pull an outfit together. Duo partners may find that the lime green tie the male is wearing does not complement the young ladies’ orange shirt. (Compromise is a wonderful thing!)

10. This may all seem ridiculous, but it's not. Time has proven that "dressed for success" is a cliche with truth.

Revised July 19,2005