ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

Young women who meet the following requirements may enter the pageant:

• Must live, work (full-time) or attend school in one of the following cities: Costa Mesa, Fountain Valley, Garden Grove, Santa Ana, Los Alamitos, Seal Beach, Westminster or
• Attend the University of California, Irvine, Orange Coast College
  or Rancho Santiago College in Santa Ana.
• Must be between the ages of 17-24 and be at least a senior in high school.
• Must be a United States citizen
• Must be of good moral character
• Must have never been married
• Must have never been pregnant

AREAS OF COMPETITION

Contestants in all Miss America preliminaries at the local and state level compete in six areas:

Talent (35% of total score)

Contestants perform a 2-minute routine of their own choosing. Some possible talents include all types of singing, dancing, gymnastics, instrumental music, dramatic or comedy monologues, baton twirling and ventriloquism. Other talents that can be performed solo on a stage are also possible. Phone or e-mail us if you have a question about your talent presentation. Scoring is based on contestant's skill and personality, interpretive ability, technical skill level, stage presence and the totality of all elements, including costume, props, voice, use of body and choreography.

Personal Interview (25% of total score)

Each contestant participates in an individual 10-minute press conference-style interview with our panel of judges. There are typically 5 to 7 judges on a panel. Contestants are questioned on their background as presented on their fact sheet, their educational and career goals, their opinions on current events and social issues, and their interests, hobbies and extracurricular activities. Scoring is based on overall communication skills, including personality, intelligence, validated opinions, emotional control, overall first impression and personal appearance, and whether the contestant possesses the overall qualities and attributes of a Miss America.

Evening Wear (20% of total score)

Each contestant appears on stage in an outfit of her own choosing, representative of what she would wear to a formal "after five" social event. Pantsuits, cocktail dresses and evening gowns are all appropriate for this phase of the competition. Scoring is based on overall first impression, sense of confidence, personality and stage presence, walk and posture, appropriateness of attire and sense of attractiveness.

Physical Fitness in Swimsuit (15% of total score)

Each contestant briefly appears on stage in a one-piece swimsuit and footwear of her own choosing. The Executive Director of the pageant must approve swimsuits prior to competition. Scoring is based on overall first impression, statement of physical fitness and health, overall physique which is pleasing to her height, weight and bone structure, walk, posture and grace, sense of confidence and presence on stage.

On-Stage Question (5% of total score)

The On-Stage Interview phase of competition is designed for the contestant to make an on-stage statement of her interests, opinions and aspirations. Overall “first impression”; charisma and stage presence to be a spokeswoman for the state/local organization will be evaluated. Judges will give special attention to whether or not the contestant answered the question and if she had the commanding presence to make the audience want to listen to her.

PLATFORM DESCRIPTION

In 1989, the personal platform concept was introduced as part of the competition, with each state titleholder choosing an issue of importance to her and to society. Through in-depth interviewing during the local, state and national competitions, each contestant is evaluated on her commitment to her chosen issue. Examples of platform issues have included child advocacy, volunteerism, domestic violence, literacy, diabetes, awareness, eating disorders and our nation's homeless. In 1998, the Miss America Organization committed to states and locals the "State Community Service Scholarships". A $1,000 scholarship was awarded to the young woman in each state who displayed exemplary participation in community service.