Q: What is the Platform?
ANSWER: In 1989, the Miss America Organization founded the platform concept, which requires each contestant to choose an issue about which she cares deeply and that is of relevance to our country. Once chosen, Miss America’s Outsanding Teen and the state titleholders use their stature to address community service organizations, business and civic leaders, the media and others about their platform issues. Since 1989, Miss America titleholders have appeared at thousands of public speaking engagements and charitable events to generate awareness for a variety of causes, including homelessness, HIV/AIDS prevention, domestic violence, diabetes awareness, character education, literacy, etc.
Q: What does Miss Oklahoma’s Outstanding Teen do after she is selected?
ANSWER: After Miss Oklahoma’s Outstanding Teen is selected she embarks on a year-long journey. As a spokesperson and advocate, Miss Oklahoma’s Outstanding Teen travels to schools, organizations, and community events held in different cities around the state. She will address diverse audiences, in an effort to increase awareness and promote her chosen platform as well as the Children’s Miracle Network Hospital.
Q: How old do I have to be to compete in the Miss America’s Outstanding Teen system?
ANSWER: Contestants in the Miss Oklahoma’s Outstanding Teen system are between the ages of 13 and 17.
Q: Can I represent my state at the national Miss America’s Outstanding Teen Competition more than once?
ANSWER: To become Miss America’s Outstanding Teen, a contestant must first win a local competition and then compete to represent her state, a process requiring personal commitment, hard work and talent. A woman may compete at the state level more than once, but may only represent her state in the national Miss America’s Outstanding Teen competition one time.
Q: Is the Miss America’s Outstanding Teen program different than Miss Teen USA?
ANSWER: Yes. In 1952, Catalina Swimsuits founded the Miss Teen USA, Miss USA and Miss Universe pageants as product promotion tools. Developed by the Miss America Organization, the Miss America’s Outstanding Teen program exists to encourage positive achievement by helping to nurture and build the scholastic achievement, creative accomplishment, healthy living and community involvement of our nation’s youth. Almost all contestants utilize Miss America’s Outstanding Teen scholarship grants to further their educations. The Miss America Organization is the leading provider of scholarships for young women in the world and Miss America’s Outstanding Teen has made available over $2,000,000 in scholarships. Although some young women compete in both Miss America’s Outstanding Teen and Miss Teen USA, the two systems are completely separate.
Q: Are scholarships available for those who are not awarded a title?
ANSWER: Yes. There are all types of scholarships available at the local, state and national levels of competition. Even if you do not win a title you are still eligible for scholarship assistance. The Miss America Organization is the leading provider of scholarships for young women in the world. Since 2005 Miss America’s Outstanding Teen has made available more than $2 million in cash and tuition scholarship assistance.
Q: I have not been competing since I was a child, do I have a chance of becoming Miss America’s Outstanding Teen?
ANSWER: Yes. Most titleholders have not competed in pageant systems long before being awarded a local title and scholarship money. In her first year of competition, Miss America 2002 Katie Harman won a local title and went on to become the first runner-up to Miss Oregon. The following year she won another local, was selected as Miss Oregon and went on to become Miss America 2002 with only 2 years of competition experience. Katie entered the Miss America system solely for the scholarship money and in 2 years has earned more than $75,000 in scholarships to assist in furthering her education.
Q: What are the competition categories?
ANSWER: Preliminary competition includes Artistic Expression (Talent); Presentation and Community Achievement (Interview); Presence and Poise (Evening Wear & On-Stage Question); and Lifestyle and Fitness (Sportswear). The final night of competition includes the Lifestyle and Fitness, Presence and Poise; Peer Respect and Leadership; Artistic Expression; and Top Five Knowledge and Understanding competitions. For more details click here:
Q: How do I request the current Miss Oklahoma Outstanding Teen for an appearance?
ANSWER: To request an appearance by the current Miss Oklahoma’s Outstanding Teen please email your request to Gentry at gentryLjohnson@yahoo.com. Please include a contact name, phone number, fax number and the date you are requesting Miss Oklahoma’s Outstanding Teen to appear.
Q: How can I become a volunteer?
ANSWER: On an annual basis, Miss America state and local titleholders, along with the Organization’s network of volunteers, participate in more than 12,000 community service projects, providing in excess of 500,000 service hours to worthy causes. Please email Gentry
Q: How can I start a competition affiliated with the Miss Oklahoma’s Oustanding Teen Organization?
ANSWER: Direct an email with your name, address and telephone number to gentryLjohnson@yahoo.com
Q: Where can I buy Official Miss Oklahoma’s Outstanding Teen Merchandise and Photos?
ANSWER: Shop for Miss America’s Outstanding Teen memorabilia here.
Q: How can I become a judge in the Miss Oklahoma’s Outstanding Teen system?
ANSWER: Direct an email with your name, address and telephone number to gentryLjohnson@yahoo.com and your information will be forwarded to the Judges Chairman.
Q: How can I receive periodic updates from the Miss Oklahoma Scholarship Organization?
ANSWER: Please email Gentry at gentryLjohnson@yahoo.com
For more information regarding the Miss Oklahoma Scholarship Association, please contact Gentry Johnson at gentryLjohnson@yahoo.com