I see a lot of complaints on here mostly about the same things, more money you spend better chance of winning, top girls are coached or fake and it is a money grab. My answer to this yes some of that is true. That being said this is my daughter second year and her overall experience has been great and she did not win either year. What she has learned winning this is hard. Here are my Lesson learned hope these help any one thinking about doing NAM. and want honest non bitter review. 1. Optionals. Help your child gain experience being on stage it then helps in pageant. 2. Know the age groups it is birth day as of jan first so if your child is 7 and in jr pre teen if you have an late pageant some of the girls she will be up against will be 10. 3. Practice, practice, practice you don't need a coach, but know some will have them. Hard work will level the field for your daughter. 4. NAM loves money! it is not cheap, so be creative in fund raising to help of set cost. 5.Don't get caught up in prize pakage only 1 in each division really gets any thing, it is going to cost you money. You need to decide if being on stage, learning to speak in public and interview and to make some really good friends is worth the money you will spend that weekend. 6. If it is only about winning or if not winning makes your child upset this is not for you, in some states there are over 100 contestants so 99 are going home with out the crown My daughter loves it and even if she never finishes first we will continue to do it as long as she continues to have fun.