Open Titles and Competitions

Open titles are the final opportunity for New Yorkers to join the Miss New York and Miss New York’s Teen Class of 2024.

2024 Season Eligibility

If all of the following are true, then you are likely eligible to hold an open title:

• Age – To be a TEEN contestant, you must be no less than thirteen (13) years old and no older than eighteen (18) years old in 2024 (born in or between 2006 and 2010). To be a MISS contestant, you be no less than 18 years old and no more than 28 years old in 2024. (Born in or between 1996 and 2006). If you are or will be 18 years old in 2024 (born in 2006), you can choose to compete in the ‘Teen’ or ‘Miss’ age division.
• Residency based on
  • Home Address – Must be a legal resident in New York State for no less than 60 consecutive days prior to July 6, 2024.
  • Student Status – Registered for classes with full-time status at an accredited institution in New York State for no less than 30 consecutive days prior to July 6, 2024. Classes must be attended in person.
  • Employment Status – Must be a full time employee in New York State for no less than 60 consecutive days prior to July 6, 2024. You must maintain your full time status through to the State Competition.
• Must be female
• Must be a United States Citizen

Eligibility requirements are subject to change as updated guidelines from the Miss America Organization are released.

Time Commitment

Term of Service

Terms of service for open titleholder start the day their state entry fee is paid and end the day after the State competition (July 7, 2024). If you would like to keep your title after state week, you can get approval from the Open Delegate Coordinator to keep your title until December 31 of the year you competed at state, or until you compete in your first local of the next competition season, whichever comes first. We encourage you to be part of your community and, while representing this organization, you are expected to adhere to the titleholder contract and the rules in the titleholder handbook.

State Workshop

All titleholders are required to attend the State Workshop in the spring in person on March 16th and 17th in the Hudson Valley area. This is a packed weekend that includes paperwork turn in, video filming, photos, choreography, and State Week overview. Nearly all of the information you need to compete at the state competition will be discussed here.

State Competition

The State Competition is scheduled for July 2-6 (Miss) and July 3-6 (Teen), 2024. All titleholders, Miss and Teen, must be present for the entire competition week. If you have unique circumstances which restrict your attendance you must get them cleared with the State Team (info@miss-newyork.org) prior to winning a local title or applying for an open title. 

Miss New York / Miss New York’s Teen

The roll of a State Titleholder is a commission-based part time service experience. Your year can be as active as you can reasonably muster, however there are a number of required appearances to which Miss New York/Miss New York’s Teen are committed to attend. This list of required appearances will be available to delegates prior to the state competition. In addition to pre-booked appearances, Miss New York and Miss New York’s Teen are required to compete in the National level competitions and attend any and all workshops or preparatory meetings required by Miss America/Miss America’s Teen as a  condition to compete.

Financial Commitments

Fees

All contestants pay a $39 annual fee to Miss America in order to compete. This fee can be paid here

There is a non-refundable $75 application fee, due with your application.

If you earn a title, you will pay a non-refundable $425 State entry fee. This is due within 48 hours of earning your title and will help us support your meals and transportation while you compete at State. 

Wardrobe

Contestants are responsible for their own competition wardrobe at all levels of competition. For nearly all phases of competition the choice of wardrobe is yours, and you can borrow, bargain-hunt, buy new, reuse, recycle, and repeat for your wardrobe. The cost or perceived value of your wardrobe is not considered in the scoring.

For the fitness competition, the Miss America organization has partnered with Rebel Athletics to provide an affordable line of exclusive Miss America + Rebel fitness apparel. All Miss and Teen delegates are required to wear both a top and bottom piece of Rebel athletic wear for the health and fitness competition. The combination will range in price from $72 – $170, depending on the items selected. This same wardrobe is used in every local and every State Competition for this season, so there is no requirement to purchase this outfit multiple times. You can see and purchase the Miss America + Rebel Athletics styles here.

The state competition has previously required a specific outfit for the opening number production. If there is a single piece all contestants are expected to use, ordering information will be shared at workshop. Generally we do our best to keep any required non-competition wardrobe purchases under $100.

Lodging and Travel

Open delegates cover their own lodging and transportation costs.

Attendance at workshop and State week are required and transportation to and from workshop, as well as lodging, is the responsibility of the titleholder. During state week, Miss delegates will stay at a designated host hotel which historically has a rate of ~$135/night, and this is split between you and your roommate. Teen delegates can stay in whatever hotel they wish and will stay with a parent/guardian. 

Fundraising

There are a number of fundraisers our delegates participate in. You can use your own money to cover your participation, or fundraise/crowdsource for your contribution. The following are required of every contestant competing for Miss New York or Miss New York’s Teen.

• Provide (2) full pages of content for the competition magazine. These are valued at $350 each but with a little salesmanship you can sell this space as an ad for a local business or raise the money from family and friends for a page focused on you! For every 5 pages you fill, you get $250 back as a personal scholarship. 
• Recruit at least one participating business for Miss New York’s Restaurant Week
• Provide an auction/raffle item valued at no less than $100 for our Summer Soiree during state week. This can be anything, from a certificate for a wine-tasting experience to a basket full of family-friendly board games. You can also use your business savvy to get this contribution donated at no cost to yourself.

Sash and Crown

Crowns and Sashes are not included in the state fee and are completely optional. If you already have a Miss or Teen crown, you may continue to use it. If you would like a crown and sash you can purchase one when you pay your State Entry Fee.

How to Earn an Open Title

It’s pretty simple – you apply! There is a cap of 30 Teens and 40 Miss at Miss New York this year. For both groups, the first 15 applicants who complete their registration will be awarded a title. Paying the State Entry fee secures your spot in the class. Once the first 15 slots are filled, all additional applicants will be entered into the digital competition on March 2, 2024

The Digital Competitions

This will be run like a modified local competition. You will submit an introduction video and fact sheet (15%), your social impact statement (15%), a video of your talent (35%) and have a private interview with the judges via zoom (35%). Contestants will send in their contract, headshot, and panelist paperwork via the local contestant portal. Interviews will take place in the morning and the winners will be notified and announced in the evening.

Ready to Join?