When you compete within the Miss America Organization umbrella, you not only have the opportunity to win scholarships to further for your education, we guarantee you will make lasting friendships and have memories that last a lifetime in this life-changing experience.
Are you the next
Miss Minnesota's Outstanding Teen?
Contact Megan by emailing her at: mmnot@missminnesota.org for more information!
The Miss Minnesota Outstanding Teen Pageant is a little sister program to the Miss Minnesota and Miss America Scholarship Organizations. The Miss Minnesota Outstanding Teen Competition has been organized 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. This competition is intended to encourage and reward the talent, communication skills, community service, and academic achievement of girls between 13 and 17 years of age. (See eligibility requirements below.)
Miss Minnesota’s Outstanding Teen has many roles during her year of service. She represents her State Organization, the National Miss America’s Outstanding Teen Organization, the young women she competed with, and all young people her age, as well as promoting her chosen Platform Issue. In addition, she prepares to compete at the MAOTeen National competition in a location to be announced. She accepts these responsibilities by always conducting herself in an “Outstanding” manner.
Miss Minnesota’s Outstanding Teen may be called upon to appear at a variety of functions throughout her state, where she will be asked to speak, possibly perform her talent, and interact with people of all ages. She sets an example of someone who has passion and initiative regarding her personal platform.
A Miss Minnesota’s Outstanding Teen’s Year of Service is an exciting, busy, and important year in her life. She is an exceptional, charismatic young woman who leaves an inspiring and enduring impression on everyone she meets.
Miss Minnesota’s Outstanding Teen may be called upon to appear at a variety of functions throughout her state, where she will be asked to speak, possibly perform her talent, and interact with people of all ages. She sets an example of someone who has passion and initiative regarding her personal platform.
A Miss Minnesota’s Outstanding Teen’s Year of Service is an exciting, busy, and important year in her life. She is an exceptional, charismatic young woman who leaves an inspiring and enduring impression on everyone she meets.
Am I Eligible?
If you're a young woman between the ages of 13-18 and want a life-changing experience, you might be eligible!
Residency Requirements
- Candidates must have residency in the state in which they compete for 6 months prior to competing in their first local competition. Some local competitions also have geographic restrictions - contact the local director for more information.
- Residency is defined as the primary address where you physically live. You may be asked to present proof of residency if you have recently moved.
Eligibility Requirements
To compete in a local program, you must:
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS – AT LARGE CANDIDATES
Candidates may also enter "at large," which means they can select a title associated with where they live or go to school. There is a fee to compete "at large" and the local title selected must be approved by the Outstanding Teen Director, Megan Ehlert.
- Be 13 on the first day of the MMNOT State Competition.
- Must not be older than 18 on December 31 of the MMNOT State Competition year.
- Be a US citizen.
- Live or attend school full time in Minnesota for at least the last six months prior to the competition.
- Be able to meet the commitment and responsibilities as set forth by the local and state programs.
- Be able to participate in the MMNOT Competition in spring, 2022, and should you win the state title, be able travel to Orlando, Florida in July, or August 2022 for the Miss America's Outstanding Teen competition.
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS – AT LARGE CANDIDATES
Candidates may also enter "at large," which means they can select a title associated with where they live or go to school. There is a fee to compete "at large" and the local title selected must be approved by the Outstanding Teen Director, Megan Ehlert.
Areas of Competition and Criteria
Judging Criteria for the Miss Minnesota's Outstanding Teen Competition
There are five areas of competition for the Miss Minnesota Outstanding Teen Competition. They are as follows:
Private Interview (30% of total score)
Interviews are 8 minutes with no opening or closing statements. There are typically 5 to 7 judges on a panel, and the interview is press style, with the contestant standing at a podium. Candidates are questioned on their background as presented on their resume, their educational and career goals, and their interests, hobbies and extracurricular activities. Scoring is based on overall communication skills, including personality, intelligence, validated opinions, emotional control, overall first impression and personal appearance. Can the judge envision the public and especially young people being positively impacted by meeting this young woman?
Talent (40% of total score)
Candidates will perform a talent of 90 Seconds.
Nothing longer will be accepted, and this time limit is strictly enforced! Judges will be informed immediately if a candidate exceeds 90 seconds. Each judge will then use this information to assist in determining his/her score of the candidate's talent competition. Scoring is based on candidate's skill and personality, interpretive ability, technical skill level, stage presence and the totality of all elements, including costume, props, voice, use of body and choreography. Will the judge be proud that he or she selected this young woman when she performs her talent if she is selected as the titleholder? Did the judge enjoy the presentation?
Evening Wear/On-Stage Question (20% of total score)
Each candidate appears onstage in a gown of her own choosing, representative of what she would wear to a prom or other formal event. Dresses should be appropriate for a TEEN. High slits and plunging necklines are not acceptable. The objective is to evaluate the candidate's ability to think on her feet and answer a question of general interest to people her age. Overall “first impression”; sense of confidence, composure, and poise; personality and stage presence; walk, carriage, posture, and beauty; sense of style and age-appropriateness of the evening wear are evaluated. Does she take command of the stage by simply walking onto it? Can she handle the pressure of speaking on stage in front of an audience? Judges must give special attention to whether or not she answered the question she was asked, and did she have the ability to make the audience want to listen to her? The candidate's total look, grace, charm, and ability as a spokesperson and role model must be considered.
Lifestyle and Wellness (10% of total score)
This phase of competition is designed to see how well the candidate maintains a lifestyle of good physical health and whether or not she has the sense of confidence and self assurance needed to serve as a titleholder. The candidate should demonstrate she takes care of herself and participates in activities which promote a healthy lifestyle. Candidates will wear black capris, a plain bright colored tank top, PLAIN white socks and sneakers. The MAOTeen Organization does not judge on a candidates appearance and is not looking for a “perfect” fitness body. Our goal is not to place a teen candidate, whose body is changing almost on a regular basis, in a position of feeling the need to diet or perform intense physical exercise. This phase of competition is a great indicator of confidence.
LIFESTYLE AND WELLNESS SCORING CRITERIA:
LIFESTYLE AND WELLNESS SCORING CONSIDERATIONS:
There are five areas of competition for the Miss Minnesota Outstanding Teen Competition. They are as follows:
- Judges Interview (8 minutes)
- Talent (90 seconds)
- Lifestyle and Wellness
- Evening Gown/On Stage Question and Academic Achievement
Private Interview (30% of total score)
Interviews are 8 minutes with no opening or closing statements. There are typically 5 to 7 judges on a panel, and the interview is press style, with the contestant standing at a podium. Candidates are questioned on their background as presented on their resume, their educational and career goals, and their interests, hobbies and extracurricular activities. Scoring is based on overall communication skills, including personality, intelligence, validated opinions, emotional control, overall first impression and personal appearance. Can the judge envision the public and especially young people being positively impacted by meeting this young woman?
Talent (40% of total score)
Candidates will perform a talent of 90 Seconds.
Nothing longer will be accepted, and this time limit is strictly enforced! Judges will be informed immediately if a candidate exceeds 90 seconds. Each judge will then use this information to assist in determining his/her score of the candidate's talent competition. Scoring is based on candidate's skill and personality, interpretive ability, technical skill level, stage presence and the totality of all elements, including costume, props, voice, use of body and choreography. Will the judge be proud that he or she selected this young woman when she performs her talent if she is selected as the titleholder? Did the judge enjoy the presentation?
Evening Wear/On-Stage Question (20% of total score)
Each candidate appears onstage in a gown of her own choosing, representative of what she would wear to a prom or other formal event. Dresses should be appropriate for a TEEN. High slits and plunging necklines are not acceptable. The objective is to evaluate the candidate's ability to think on her feet and answer a question of general interest to people her age. Overall “first impression”; sense of confidence, composure, and poise; personality and stage presence; walk, carriage, posture, and beauty; sense of style and age-appropriateness of the evening wear are evaluated. Does she take command of the stage by simply walking onto it? Can she handle the pressure of speaking on stage in front of an audience? Judges must give special attention to whether or not she answered the question she was asked, and did she have the ability to make the audience want to listen to her? The candidate's total look, grace, charm, and ability as a spokesperson and role model must be considered.
Lifestyle and Wellness (10% of total score)
This phase of competition is designed to see how well the candidate maintains a lifestyle of good physical health and whether or not she has the sense of confidence and self assurance needed to serve as a titleholder. The candidate should demonstrate she takes care of herself and participates in activities which promote a healthy lifestyle. Candidates will wear black capris, a plain bright colored tank top, PLAIN white socks and sneakers. The MAOTeen Organization does not judge on a candidates appearance and is not looking for a “perfect” fitness body. Our goal is not to place a teen candidate, whose body is changing almost on a regular basis, in a position of feeling the need to diet or perform intense physical exercise. This phase of competition is a great indicator of confidence.
LIFESTYLE AND WELLNESS SCORING CRITERIA:
- Overall “First Impression”
- Physically Fit
- Dynamic presence
- Shows energy and a healthy vitality
- Sense of confidence and self-assurance
LIFESTYLE AND WELLNESS SCORING CONSIDERATIONS:
- Can she complete the presentation with energy, spirit, and charisma?
- Does she display confidence and stage presence?
Scholarships & Awards 2022
Miss Minnesota's Outstanding Teen 2022 receives a prize package valued at over $15,000:
- Miss Minnesota's Outstanding Teen Crown, Sash, Pin, and Crown Box*
- $500 Wardrobe Allowance*
- Trip to Compete for Miss America's Outstanding Teen
- Kwik Trip Sponsorship (monthly)
- National Headshot by Pryz Photography
- Hair & Makeup for National Photo shoot by Penny J. Wells and James Peterson
- Lifestyle photo shoots by: Tiger Lily Photography; JoybyJoy Photography; and Jared Fessler Photography
- Consulting and Preparation services by: Giselle Ugarte; Stephanie Butler Consulting; Sarah Wall-Beckman; Legacy Group
- National Wardrobe Allowances by The Pageant Shop and Regalia Magnificent Apparel
- MMNOT Jacket & Leggings courtesy of Pro Biz Sports
- 2 Custom crystal Clutches & Business Card holder by Niki Lassiter
- 5 Private Training sessions with Adam Spiker, Personal Training
- Custome Airbrush Tan
- Hair & Make Up (cut & color) plus 3 blowouts by Gianna Capuzzi
- Dream Duffle Luggage
- Dance Studio Space for rehearsal/practice by Lorenz Dance & Tumbling
*These awards were underwritten (in order listed) by our former Miss Minnesota's Outstanding Teens:
Giselle Ugarte '05, Emily Schumacher '17, Rachel Weyandt '15, Lauren Algyer '14, and wardrobe allowance by Rachel Weyandt '15
Giselle Ugarte '05, Emily Schumacher '17, Rachel Weyandt '15, Lauren Algyer '14, and wardrobe allowance by Rachel Weyandt '15
Competition Placement Scholarships
Miss Minnesota’s Outstanding Teen: $2,500
1st Runner Up: $1,000
2nd Runner Up: $ 500
3rd Runner Up: $ 300
4th Runner Up: $ 200
Competition Awards
Top 3 - Dale Carnegie Leadership Training Course Value: Priceless!
Wachholz Family Top Interview Award $300
Swiggum Family Overall Talent $250
La Marella Evening Gown/On Stage Question $250
Glenn Harman Non-Finalist Talent Award $250
Special Awards
Chantal Wilson Scholastic Award: $300
Glenn Harman Rookie Talent $250
Mary Swenson Confidence & Poise Award $200
Lorenz Dance & Tumbling Studio Congeniality Award: $100
Lorenz Dance & Tumbling Studio Talent Essay Award $100
Producer's Award $100
Top 3 - Dale Carnegie Leadership Training Course Value: Priceless!
Wachholz Family Top Interview Award $300
Swiggum Family Overall Talent $250
La Marella Evening Gown/On Stage Question $250
Glenn Harman Non-Finalist Talent Award $250
Special Awards
Chantal Wilson Scholastic Award: $300
Glenn Harman Rookie Talent $250
Mary Swenson Confidence & Poise Award $200
Lorenz Dance & Tumbling Studio Congeniality Award: $100
Lorenz Dance & Tumbling Studio Talent Essay Award $100
Producer's Award $100