How to Compete

Written By Autumn Kessler

Every Miss America starts on a local stage, or with a local title just as you will.

There are two pathways to becoming Miss America:

  1. Compete in a local competition

  2. Direct enter as an At-Large Delegate to the state level

There are benefits to both of these paths, and hopefully this information will help you find which path is best for you!

Before making the decision to either compete at the local level or direct enter, know what you’re getting into! Follow the Miss America social media accounts @MissAmerica and @MissAmericasTeen as well as the Miss Ohio accounts @MissAmericaOH, @MissAmericasTeenOH, and @MissOhioProgram. Explore their content and look through their tagged posts to see what local titleholders are up to!

Also explore the state and national websites to learn more about eligibility requirements, program values, standards, the latest news, and information on how to compete.

Once you’ve determined you are eligible to compete and have explored a little, now it’s time to discuss how to enter!


Eligibility Requirements

*As of spring 2024- per the Miss America Website*

To become a local or state participant for the Competition Cycle 2026, (some states starting locals in March of 2024) competing as a State Titleholder at nationals in January 2026, you must meet the age criteria as shown below.  

  • Miss America 18-28 – must be 18 by state competition,  and no older than 27 at state competition

  • Miss America’s Teen 14-17 –  must be 14 by state competition and no older than 17 at state competition.


For All Ages you must ALSO meet criteria as shown below:

  • Be a United States citizen

  • Be a female

  • Single

  • No legal dependents

  • Meet residency requirements for competing in your city or state

Phases of Competition

  • Private Interview - 30% of total score

    • The Private Interview phase of competition allows insight into the contestant’s ability to fulfill the responsibilities outlined in the Miss Ohio role description and provides the opportunity to learn as much as possible about the contestant’s qualities and attributes to fulfill the titleholder term. Allows insight into the commitment to advance and execute her community service initiative and have an exceptional term, as well as insight into the commitment to continue her education. Also allows insight into the ability to express and distinguish her beliefs and have a true knowledge of the world around her, in addition to getting a sense of accomplishments.

    • Interviews may be up to ten (10) minutes as follows;

      - An opening statement to introduce her community service initiative, up to 30 seconds.

      -Questions from the panelists for 9 nine minutes

      - An optional 30 seconds for the contestant to finish responding to a question or closing statement.

    • Wardrobe: Contestant’s Choice – Stylish Interview Attire

  • Talent/HERstory - 20% of total score

    • The Performing Arts Talent / HERStory phase of competition allows insight into the contestant’s preparatory and performance or storytelling skills. Overall presentation skills and ability to deliver a captivating presentation. Looks at selection of presentation, interpretive ability and entertainment value relative to the category of performance art. Her stage presence, on-stage personality, and personal connection to her story. Allows a look at the totality of the performance elements of the on-stage presentation and the ability to capture the attention of an audience while performing.

    • The time limit for the Talent competition is ONE (1) minute and THIRTY (30) seconds or less.

    • Wardrobe: Contestant’s Choice - Talent Costume or Outfit

  • Evening Gown - 20% of total score

    • The Evening Gown phase of competition allows contestant to present her sense of style in evening gown in a fashion suitable for an appearance as Miss Ohio. Part of Miss Ohio’s role will be attending galas, fundraisers, award presentations and other formal events. This often involves walking a red carpet, posing for press photographers, modeling in fashion shows, promoting various Miss Ohio or Miss America partners. Allows an insight into the contestant’s ability to capture the audience’s attention, her comfort, style, confidence, and composure.

    • Wardrobe: Contestant’s Choice - Evening Gown

  • Health & Fitness - 20% of total score

    • This phase of competition allows the contestant to showcase her commitment to health and fitness initiatives. Contestants should demonstrate comfort, confidence, energy while on stage in front of an audience. A contestant’s discipline and commitment to health and fitness is a key to success in all other areas of life, and the rigors of being Miss Ohio.

    • Wardrobe: Rebel Athletic Wear, Miss America Specific wardrobe choices - See the Rebel Miss America Collection HERE

  • On Stage Question - 10% of total score

    • Provides an opportunity for the audience to hear about the contestants chosen community service initiative. She may provide a unique perspective as well as convey her commitment and desire to create further interest in her CSI. This brings a glimpse of the interview on-stage in an interactive and engaging way to showcase each contestant’s intelligence, personality, charisma, and aptitude. A sense of composure when presenting ideas to an audience is a must for Miss Ohio.

    • There is a 30 second time limit to answer the question.

    • Wardrobe: Contestant’s Choice - Interviewing for the position

Local Competitions

There are local competitions all over the state, usually requiring contestants to be there on a Saturday from 9:00 AM to 10:00 PM on the day of the competition. At the local level, contestants will have the opportunity to earn scholarships and compete in the exact same phases of competitions they will compete in at the state level. It is a chance to practice in real time, meet the volunteers and Miss Ohio Board Members, while making new friends. Find out more about local competitions and how to enter a local competition HERE.

  • Miss Greater Cleveland - Columbia Station, Ohio

    *Crowns: Miss Greater Cleveland, Miss Northern Ohio, Miss Spirit of Ohio, Miss Lake Erie, Miss Greater Cleveland's Teen, Miss Northern Ohio's Teen, Miss Spirit of Ohio's Teen, & Miss Lake Erie's Teen

  • Miss Lake Festival - Celina, Ohio

    *Crowns: Miss Lake Festival & Miss Lake Festival's Teen

  • Miss North Coast - Brunswick, Ohio

    *Crowns: Miss North Coast & Miss North Coast's Teen

  • Miss Clayland - Uhrichsville, Ohio

    *Crowns: Miss Clayland

  • Miss Maple City - Norwalk, Ohio

    *crowns: Miss Maple City & Miss Maple City's Teen

  • Miss Shawnee/Portsmouth - Portsmouth, Ohio

    *crowns: Miss Shawnee, Miss Portsmouth, Miss Shawnee's teen, & Miss portsmouth's Teen

  • Miss Oxford/Talawanda - Oxford, Ohio

    *crowns: Miss Oxford, Miss Talawanda, Miss greater butler county, Miss Oxford's Teen, Miss talawanda's Teen, & Miss Greater Butler county's teen

  • Miss Chillicothe - Chillicothe, Ohio

    *Crowns: Miss chillicothe & Miss chillicothe's teen

Direct Entry

Direct entering to the state competition to compete as an At-Large delegate is a great alternative to competing at the local level for some. If you are someone who doesn’t go to school in Ohio, can’t make it to the local competitions, or competed at the local level and didn’t win, you still can compete at the state level through the direct entry option! The main difference between direct entry vs competing in a local is there is a larger fee to direct enter to the state competition, there is not a scholarship that is awarded with your local title, and a direct entry delegate will not be assigned a volunteer like a local director to assist them in preparing for the state competition. The best thing about direct entering is that once you make it to the state level, you are on the exact same playing field as those who won local competitions, meaning ANYONE can become Miss Ohio!

Autumn Kessler
Previous

Why Compete?
Next

Paperwork