Areas
of Competition
Contestants in all
Miss America preliminaries at the local and state level compete in five areas:
Personal Interview (35% of total score)
At the local level, each contestant participates in an individual
eight (8) minute interview. 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 first impression, validated opinions
and responses in context, poise, personal appearance and attractiveness, personality, intelligence, style, emotional control,
speech, vocabulary, grammar, ability to have a confident and commanding presence; knowledge, understanding, and ability to
articulate her platform issue, sense of accomplishment.
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 talent selection and performance as it distinguishes both her skills
and personality, interpretive ability, technical skill level (execution, technique, syncronization, control), stage presence
and the totality of all elements (including costume, props, voice, use of body, and choreography).
Evening Wear (15% of total score)
Each contestant appears on-stage in an outfit of her
own choosing, representative of what she would wear to a prom or other formal 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, carriage and grace, appropriateness of attire, sense of style, sense of
attractiveness, beauty, and charm.
Lifestyle
& Fitness (10% of total score)
Each contestant
briefly appears on stage in workout attire of her own choosing. The MSDPSA committee must approve workout attire
prior to competition. Workout attire must be age-appropriate, and typical of what a teenager would wear to workout. An example
of workout attire includes sweats, leggings, or shorts with a tank top, and tennis shoes. Swimsuits and clothing specifically
for dance, such as a leotard are not permitted. Scoring is based on overall first impression, statement of strong physical
fitness and health, sense of attractiveness and presence; display of energy, charisma, and expression, sense of confidence
and composure.
On-Stage
Question (5% of total score)
The On-Stage Interview
phase of competition is comprised of questions of a general nature and will be neither platform-related nor something taken
from the private interview. The objective is to evaluate the contestant's ability to think on her feet and answer a question
of general interest to people her age, including but not limited to local, state, and national current events. Scoring is
based on overall first impression and the judges should ask themselves: 1. Did the contestant answer the question in the context
in which it was asked? 2. Can she handle the pressure of speaking on stage in front of an audience? 3. Will young people see
her as a role model who is reflective of today's generation?.
Academic Achievement
This
area of competition is not a specific scoring criteria at the local level, but is a scoring criteria at the State and National
levels. Transcripts are submitted at the local level and judges may consider the overall academic achievement during the Personal
Interview by considering the following:
1. Has the student maintained at least a "B"
average during the past academic year?
2. Would her academic achievements place her in the top
10% of your (the judges') institution?
3. Is she taking Advanced, AP, or IB courses?
4. Does she hold leadership positions in her school and extracurricular activities?
5.
Based on the information before you, do you believe this student would meet the description
of an "Outstanding Student"?
Top
Five - Final Ballot
From the above 100%, the
Top Five Finalists will be named. The Top Five Finalists enter the final round of competition with zero points. The judges
will then rank the contestants in the order they individually believe the contestants should finish on a Final Ballot. Each judge will rank the Top Five contestants on a Final Ballot. A first place
vote is worth ten points, a second place vote is worth five points, a third place vote is worth three points, a fourth place
vote is worth two points and a fifth place vote is worth one point . The total of the Final Ballots alone will determine the
outcome of the pageant. The high and low scores on the Final Ballot will NOT be dropped. All judges’ votes count on
the Final Ballot.
Platform Overview
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.
