The season.

Signed with every application

The Contestant Agreement

1. Who can enter. I am 18 or older and currently enrolled in a college or university in the United States, as an undergraduate or graduate student. If I stop being enrolled or eligible before the coronation, I tell EFF National in writing within 48 hours, and I understand I may be withdrawn.
2. Who can't enter. I am not EFF staff, a member of EFF's National Board, or the spouse, child, sibling or parent of anyone who is, and I am not a judge or vote-counter for this pageant.
3. Everything I said is true. Every answer, photo and document in my application is true and mine. If anything I gave is false or misleading, EFF may disqualify me at any stage, and if I have already been crowned, take back the title and any prize not yet paid.
4. Free to enter. Entering is 100% free. I never pay to apply, compete or be crowned. I pay my own costs of taking part (my phone, internet, clothes, photos), and EFF reimburses nothing it didn't approve in writing first.
5. Votes are gifts to EFF. Every vote is $2.50 and is a gift to Esther Funds Foundation, a 501(c)(3), to help keep college students enrolled. The money is never mine, and no share of it is ever paid to me. I will never collect money for votes myself, by cash, Cash App, Zelle, PayPal or any other way, and I will never hold a raffle, giveaway or fundraiser of my own for votes. Every vote goes through the official ballot on this website.
6. Votes are final. EFF sends every voter a receipt for their gift. Votes are not refunded, except a charge made in error or twice. I never promise a voter a refund, a prize or anything in return for a vote.
7. Rounds. Votes carry over from round to round. To advance I need at least 100 votes by Tuesday, December 15 and at least 400 in all by Friday, December 18, both at 11:59 PM Eastern. Voting closes Tuesday, December 22 at 11:59 PM Eastern. Exactly how first and second place are decided is published in the Official Rules before voting opens on December 12, and the published rules govern.
8. Only first and second place. There is a first place and a second place for Miss, and a first place and a second place for Mister. Nothing is awarded below second place. If a titleholder gives up or loses her or his title, EFF may offer it to the next eligible contestant or leave it empty.
9. My standards. I attend onboarding on Sunday, December 6 (or watch the recording and confirm it within 48 hours if EFF excuses me in writing), answer EFF National within 24 hours, meet every deadline, and post each day of the campaign on its day.
10. Fair play. No fake accounts, stolen or disputed cards, bots, paid vote services or chargebacks, and no paying for votes with money given to me for that purpose. Votes found to be fraudulent or charged back are removed from my total. If I know of cheating by anyone, including people supporting me, I report it to EFF National.
11. Prizes. Prizes are exactly as published: the first-place Miss and the first-place Mister each receive a $1,000 scholarship, a photoshoot stipend, the official sash and the crown, and the second-place Miss and the second-place Mister each receive a $500 scholarship. Scholarships are paid to my school account, never to me in cash. Prizes can't be exchanged for cash or given to someone else. Before any prize is paid I give EFF what the law requires, such as a W-9, and I am responsible for any taxes on prize money.
12. If I'm crowned. My reign runs from the coronation through December 31, 2027. I agree to serve it: appear at the virtual events EFF asks of me with reasonable notice, post about EFF's mission at least once a month, take part in at least one EFF service project, and answer EFF National within 48 hours. The photoshoot stipend is paid once my official photoshoot is booked, and I share the photos with EFF. The sash and crown are mine to keep only if I complete my reign. Any prize not yet paid is forfeited if I give up or lose the title.
13. The title belongs to EFF. The titles, the crown, the names "A Royal Christmas" and "Esther Funds National" and EFF's logos belong to Esther Funds Foundation. I use them only as EFF allows. I never use the title for my own business, brand deals, endorsements, fundraising or paid appearances without EFF's written approval.
14. No accounts in EFF's name. I never create a page, account, group chat or website in the name of EFF, the Royal Court or this pageant, and I never alter EFF's logo or make AI or fake images of EFF, its people or other contestants. I post on my own accounts and tag @estherfundsfoundation.
15. My Christmas service project. My Christmas service project is real service I actually do over the break, with proof photos. I never collect cash for it, and anyone under 18 shown in my photos has a parent's permission.
16. Keeping it quiet. I will not announce that I applied or was accepted until EFF announces the contestants.
17. How I carry myself. I will represent Christ and Esther Funds Foundation with grace, online and offline, before and during my reign. No negative campaigning, no bullying or harassing another contestant or voter, no alcohol, drugs, weapons or sexual content in anything I post about the pageant, and nothing that misrepresents EFF. If something in my past or present that is public, or about to be, could harm the pageant or EFF, I tell EFF National privately and promptly.
18. Photos and videos. EFF may use my name, school, ballot photo, videos, quotes and service photos to promote the pageant and its mission, during the season and afterward, without payment to me. Everyone in the photos and videos I share agreed to be shown.
19. Removal. EFF may remove a contestant, or take back a title, for breaking this agreement, after telling them why in writing and hearing their side. For serious misconduct EFF may suspend me at once while it decides. Votes already given are not refunded or moved to anyone else.
20. What this is and isn't. Taking part is my choice. I am a contestant, not an employee, agent or volunteer of EFF, and a prize is not pay. I release Esther Funds Foundation, its directors, staff and volunteers from claims for any loss or injury from taking part, except what the law does not allow to be released.
21. Final decisions. The official count and the crowning are decided by EFF National, and its decisions are final. Questions or disputes go in writing to nationals@estherfundsinc.org within 7 days. Dates and details may change, and I will be told by email.
22. My signature. This agreement and the Official Rules are the whole agreement between me and EFF for this pageant. It is governed by the laws of Florida. If one part can't be enforced, the rest still stands. Typing my full name below is my signature, and it binds me as if I signed by hand.

Version 2026-11-02d.