Miss America 
​Atlantic City, NJ (September 6, 2017) – On Wednesday, August 31st, the 2018 Miss America Contestants gathered in front of Historic Boardwalk Hall to celebrate the Miss America Competition’s 97th Anniversary. The Miss America Organization is proud to announce the continuation of AtlantiCare, a member of Geisinger, as an Official Sponsor of the annual Miss America Arrival Ceremony for its fifth consecutive year.

Welcoming the contestants to Atlantic City included MAO partners, sponsors, and government dignitaries, including: The Hon. Don Guardian, Mayor of Atlantic City; Mr. Chris Howard, Executive Director, Casino Reinvestment Development Authority; Dr. Marilouise Venditti, MD, Chief Medical Officer, AtlantiCare; Sam Haskell, III, Executive Chairman & CEO, Miss America Organization; Lynn H. Weidner, Chairman of the Board, Miss America Organization; and Josh Randle, President & COO, Miss America Organization.

After each of the 51 contestants took the stage to make their introductions, the Miss America Foundation announced the finalists for the Jean Bartel Quality of Life Scholarship Award, the STEM Scholarship Award, and the Women in Business Scholarship Award on stage.

The 2018 Jean Bartel Quality of Life Award was introduced in 1988 to recognize contestants who excel in their commitment to community service. The winner of the Quality of Life Award will receive a $6,000 scholarship, the first runner-up will receive a $4,000 scholarship, and the second runner-up will receive a $2,000 scholarship — a total of $12,000. The Quality of Life Awards are awarded and funded by The Miss America Foundation, Inc.

The finalists for the 2018 Quality of Life Awards are:

• Miss Alabama Jessica Procter
• Miss District of Columbia Briana Kinsey
• Miss Kansas Krystian Fish
• Miss Minnesota Brianna Drevlow
• Miss Mississippi Anne Elizabeth Buys
• Miss North Dakota Cara Mund
• Miss South Carolina Suzi Roberts

​The 2018 STEM Scholarship finalists were also announced on stage. The STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, & Math) scholarships will empower more women to pursue careers in STEM-related fields to lead successful lives. The three recipients of the STEM scholarships will each receive $5,000 each — a total of $15,000. The STEM scholarships are awarded and funded by The Miss America Foundation, Inc.

​About The Miss America Organization
The Miss America Organization, a 501(c) 4 non-profit corporation, awards millions of dollars in annual college scholarship assistance making it the largest scholarship program for women in the United States. MAO is comprised of 51 organizations, including all 50 states and the District of Columbia. MAO contestants contribute over 500,000 hours of community service annually and have raised over $16 million for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals since 2007.

4th Runner-up, Kailee Ogden, Miss St. Croix Valley
3rd Runner-up, Drew Trahms, Miss Waseca Co. Sleigh & Cutter
2nd Runner-up, Danielle Hron, Miss Brainerd Lakes
1st Runner-up, Brianna Drevlow, Miss Thief River Falls
Miss Minnesota 2016: Madeline Van Ert, Miss River Valley!

Miracle Maker: Melissa Paakh
Hostess Award: Abby Ullyott
Kindness Matters: Brittany Moncrief
Non-Finalist Interview: Courtney Igbo-Ogbona
Rookie Talent: Danielle Hron
Overall Non-Finalist: Krista Kronlokken
MAO Community Service: Allyson Helms
MAO Scholastic Scholarship: Drew Trahms

Miss Minnesota Scholarship Pageant Crowns 2016 Titleholder 

Minneapolis, MN  June 18, 2016 – The Miss Minnesota Scholarship Pageant, affiliated with the Miss America Organization, is pleased to announce the new 2016 Miss Minnesota titleholder, Madeline Van Ert, who was crowned Saturday, June 18,  2016 at the Eden Prairie High School Performing Arts Center.  

Madeline, a legislative intern at the Minnesota Senate and Student Assistant to the Dean at the Walter Mondale School of Law, is a graduate of Rochester Mayo High School and a student at the University of Minnesota where she is pursuing a degrees in Political Science and Latin.  Before accepting the crown as Miss Minnesota, Madeline represented Minnesota as Miss River Valley.  

Madeline joined twenty-six other contestants from local Minnesota pageants in the competition, which is scored in five categories: private interview, talent, evening wear, on-stage question and lifestyle and fitness.  Madeline won the Team Kick Buttschau scholarship award for the preliminary lifestyle & fitness competition as well as the Lauren (Green) & Ted Nikilos Preliminary Talent competition for her piano and vocal performance of “What a Wonderful World” by Louis Armstrong.  ​

Thursday, June 16

Night two of the preliminary competition at the Eden Prairie Performing Arts Center kicked off with hosts Brad Carlson & Siri Freeh-Thaden Miss MN 2012. 

Miss Minnesota 2015 Rachel Latuff helped in livening the crowd by challenging the judges to a ribbon dance off. Two judges participated; the crowd went wild over the leaps, twirls and splits performed by one judge. Wanting to concede, the other judge took the stage and wowed the crowd with her dynamic ribbon movements painting the stage and sky with ease!

Lifestyle and Fitness in a Swimsuit for contestants 1-14. The ladies were graceful and truly demonstrated why Miss America focuses on overall wellbeing by carrying on the swimsuit competition tradition!

Talent!!! This was a jam packed night! Piano, Celtic vocals, tap dance, contemporary dance, electric violin... You name it we saw it!

Following intermission the crowd enjoyed a performance by the Northern Lights princesses. For Rachel's pageant career she has had the same NLP. Together Amaya and Rachel performed a special dance incorporating ribbon and matching outfits to a montage of Taylor Swift songs!

Evening gown tonight was wonderful! Dresses in reds, blues, a vibrant yellow, brilliant plum, and more!!! The silhouettes were everything from mermaid to ball gown and A-line.

Overall tonight's show was amazing!

Wednesday, June 15

Twenty-seven young women from across the state of Minnesota took part in night one of preliminary competition at the Eden Prairie Performing Arts Center. Performing an opening number to Lady Gaga's "Applause" in vibrant red strapless cocktail dresses- the contestants looked wonderful!

The show was hosted by Miss MN 2003 Megan Torgerson and Brad Carlson from the Patriot Radio station. Starting off competition were contestants 1-14 in onstage interview worth 5% of their preliminary score.

Rocking their swimsuits and white sarongs were contestants 15-27! Wow!
Judges selected Madeline Van Ert as the preliminary lifestyle fitness in a swimsuit winner.

Talent competition this evening included a large variety of talents from classical piano and vocals to African dance, monologues and more from contestants 1-14.

The Preliminary talent winner was Brianna Drevlow, performing a classical piano ensemble. 

Evening gown competition for contestants 15-27 included a variety of dresses in colors including red, white, some blue, and lots of green. The styles of the gowns were of higher neck lines and figure-flattering silhouettes. 

Overall tonight's show was amazing!

Other scholarship awards included: 

• Impact Award: Kailee Ogden
• Love of Giving Scholarship: Madeline Van Ert, Madison Truscinski, Abby Ullyott, Abigail Bodene

A sponsor award called the "Eagle Award" was awarded to Stacie Mcbride-Cox of the Tracie Joy Mcbride scholarship for her donations of over $27,000 in scholarships!