12/11/2025
Official Statement Regarding Family Participation
At Kentucky Gems, fairness, transparency, and integrity are values I take very seriously as a preliminary director.
In accordance with AmeriFest and Kentucky Festival Director Guidelines, family members may compete in my pageants provided they are not my direct relatives. As outlined by the system, directors are prohibited from allowing their own child or siblings to compete in their preliminary; however, extended family members (such as cousins) are permitted to participate.
To further ensure fairness:
Judges are never informed of any personal relationships between contestants and myself.
Judges are selected and instructed to score solely on performance, presentation, and adherence to pageant criteria.
No contestant receives preferential treatment of any kind.
From a practical standpoint, extended family members are treated no differently than the children of friends, acquaintances, or community members. Excluding distant relatives would be inconsistent with how pageantry operates and with the standards set by the AmeriFest system.
Kentucky Gems remains committed to providing a fair, ethical, and positive experience for every contestant and family. If you have questions or would like to review the official guidelines, I am always happy to discuss them openly.
Thank you for your continued trust and support.
— Kentucky Gems Director
If you would like a copy for the Amerifest guildlines for directors you may private message and I will be more than happy to send them to you!