The Teen Program

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The categories and percentage below are used at the local level (ie. Miss Manhattan) and the state level (Miss New York) for both the Miss and Teen age divisions. The phases and percentages are subject to change at the National level. Importantly, the value of a delegates wardrobe and her physical shape and size are not considered at any time during the competition – This competition is designed to find the most qualified representative for her community based on service initiative, dedication to her craft and skills, intelligence, and ability to relate to members of the public from any walk of life.

Private Interview  |  30%

Delegates begin with a 30 second opening statement, introducing their Community Service Initiative to the judges. This is followed by a nine minute Q&A and an optional 30 second closing statement. The discussion with the judges ranges in topic from the Community Service Initiative, to education goals, to current events.

What is judged:

  • Ability to fulfill the qualifications, responsibilities, duties, and term of the titleholder
  • Commitment to her community service initiative
  • Ability to express beliefs in an authentic and relatable manner
  • Sense of accomplishments and goals
  • Spontaneity, intelligence, sense of humor, charm and charisma.
  • Authenticity and ability to answer questions in a conversational and unrehearsed manner
  • Ability to serve as a representative of her generation

Stage Interview  |  10%

This is a single question asked to each delegate pertaining to the Community Service Initiative. It is an opportunity to underscore the importance of, and passion for, their chosen service platform.

What is judged:

  • Commitment to the ‘Service’ point of the crown
  • Unique perspective on community service and it’s local impact
  • Desire to create interest in your community service initiative
  • Intelligence, personality, charisma, and aptitude for the titleholder’s opportunity
  • Sense of composure in presenting ideas on stage
  • Interactivity with the panelists and the audience.

Health & Fitness  |  20%

Delegates showcase their commitment to health and fitness initiatives. A delegate’s discipline and commitment to being physically healthy is a key to success in all areas of life. The routines are of equal length and choreographed to highlight their personal fitness.

What is judged:

  • Comfort and confidence level on stage
  • Overall impression of health and fitness commitment
  • Spontaneity and flow of presentation
  • Preparedness to serve as a health and fitness ambassador

Talent Presentation  |  20%

Delegates’ presentations may include singing, dancing, baton twirling, acting, instrumental performance and more. Additionally, delegates who may not have a traditional stage talent are encouraged to present a “HERstory” piece – a personal story which can move, inspire, or entertain.

What is judged:

  • Performance or storytelling skills
  • Ability to capture the attention of an audience while performing on stage.
  • Interpretive ability and entertainment value
  • Stage presence, on-stage personality and personal connection to her story.

Evening Wear  |  20%

This is an opportunity for the delegate to showcase the sense of style they would bring to the role while attending galas, fundraisers, award shows, and other formal events. Scoring is not based on the actual or perceived cost of the delegates’ wardrobe.

What is judged:

  • Ability to capture attention on stage
  • Comfort, confidence, and composure

If all of the following are true, then the candidate is eligible to compete in a Miss New York local competition:

  • Age
    • For the 2025 Season (Compete at Miss New York/Miss New York’s Teen in July 2025)
      • Teens 14-18  |  Must be at least 14 and no older than 18 on the first day of the State Competition. This includes those born on or between July 2 2006 and July 1, 2011
      • Miss 18-28  |  must be at least 18 and no older than 27 on the first day of the State Competition. This includes those born on or between July 2 1997 and July 1, 2007
      • Those born on or between July 2 2006 and July 1, 2007 will choose if they would like to compete. Once a contestant has registered for one age division they cannot switch.
  • Residency based on
    • Home Address – Must be a legal resident in a qualifying county (varies by local competition) for no less than 120 consecutive days prior to the local competition. For an open title, you must be a legal resident of New York State for no less than 120 consecutive days prior to the State competition.
    • Student Status – Registered for classes with full-time status at an accredited institution in a qualifying county (varies by local competition) prior to the local competition. For an open title, you must be registered for classes with full-time status at an accredited institution in New York State for no less than 30 consecutive days prior to the open competition. Classes must be attended in person for student status to be used as your residency qualification
    • Employment Status – Must be a full time employee (40 hours/week) for no less than 120 consecutive days in a qualifying county (varies by local competition) prior to the local competition. For an open title, you must be a full time employee in New York State for no less than 120 consecutive days prior 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.

Each local organization will have it’s own rehearsal schedule and attendance requirements leading up to the competitions. Additionally, each local will have its own expectations for your year of service, should you win a title. Some programs will encourage you to find your own appearances, others will have a calendar of events ready for the new titleholder and a schedule for preparing you for state. Please see the Local Organizations page to identify which locals you are eligible for and contact their representative for information about time commitments before and after the competition.

2025 State Workshop

All titleholders are required to attend the State Workshop in the spring in person in the Hudson Valley or New York City area. The tentative date is April 12-13 and the final location will be announced soon. 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. Missing this workshop without pre-approval will have you removed from the competition.

2025 State Competition

The State Competition is tentatively scheduled in the beginning of July 2025. All titleholders, Miss and Teen, must be present for the entire scheduled competition week. If you have unique circumstances which restrict your attendance you must get them cleared with the State Team (sloane@miss-newyork.org) prior to winning a local title or applying for an open title. 

Term of Service

Terms of service for a local or open titleholder starts the day they win their title. The term ends the day after the State competition (Early July 2025). If you would like to keep your title after state week, you can get approval from your local director (local titleholders) or the State Delegate Coordinator (open titleholders) 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.

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’s Teen is 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’s Teen is required to compete in the National level competition and attend any and all workshops or preparatory meetings required by Miss America’s Teen as a  condition to compete.

All contestants must pay or raise $30 through Miss America’s fundraising platform for each local competition they enter in the 2024-25 season prior to each local. You will create a platform on spotfund using the instructions from Miss America, which you can download here.

Local Competition Fees

Each local competition has the option to charge an entry fee, varying from $0 to $250. See the local competitions page for more information

In-Person Open Fees

The fee to enter in-person State Open Competition(s) is $200 for early bird registration, and $250 if registering within 3 weeks of the competition date. The winner(s) will have a mentor to guide them through the State prep process and earn their sash and crown. Their hotel room will be fundraised for with their mentor.

Open Title Fees

If you are not able to compete in a local or an in-person open competition then you can apply for a title and move directly to State. Open titleholders will prepare themselves for state, purchase a sash and/or crown (optional) and will be responsible for their own hotel room.  If you already have a Teen crown, you may continue to use it. If you would like a crown and/or sash the cost can be added to your State Entry Fee. There is a $75 application fee and a $500 State Entry Fee when an application is accepted.

Spotfund

Once you advance to the State competition either as a local titleholder or an open titleholder, you will need to raise an additional $300 through the same platform. Funds must be raised by May 31st to 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 and last season, so there is no requirement to purchase this outfit multiple times. You can see and purchase the Miss America + Rebel Athletics styles here. If you purchased rebel wear for the 2024 season you can wear the same ones! There are new styles available if you want to mix it up, and all styles will be allowed at the State Competition in 2025

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

Attendance at workshop and State week are required. Transportation to and from workshop, as well as lodging, is the responsibility of the titleholder, though some local organizations may have coverage for some or all of these expenses. 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’s Teen.

  • Provide (2) full pages of content for the competition magazine. These are valued at $400 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!
  • Ride or recruit one rider for the 2025 scholarship spin (cycling fundraiser)
  • 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.

Ready to Compete?

To get started on your Miss New York (and perhaps your Miss America) journey follow these steps...

Step 1

Join the Miss America contestant registry. Simply provide your name, email, and select the local you are competing in.

Step 2

Register with us. This form gives us the information we need to connect you to all the local programs you may be eligible for, including state open opportunities. We check you birthday (age eligiblity) and ask for the counties you live, work, and attend school in so we can alert the right local directors of your interest.

Step 3

Create your spotfund account! You will need raise $30 for the American Heart Association for each local you compete in and $300 for State if you earn a local title. This is all done through the same fundraising account.

Step 4

Reach out to the local director for the program you want to compete in first by looking them up on the 'local organizations' page, or click the "find" button. If you want to compete in an open competition or the digital open, click "apply" to get more information about sending in your registration.