ARE YOU THE NEXT MISS MINNESOTA?
When you compete within the Miss America Opportunity umbrella, you not only have the opportunity to win scholarships to further for your education, you will make lasting friendships and have memories that last a lifetime in this life-changing experience.
Miss Minnesota has the opportunity to represent our state at Miss America. Wearing the Miss Minnesota crown or the crown of a local titleholder allows a young woman access to mentors in her field. It is a year of opportunity for many young women who find doors open that they may have never imagined. It is a chance to use her talents and passions to do something important for their communities and bring meaning to their lives.
AM I ELIGIBLE TO COMPETE?
To become a candidate in Miss Minnesota, a contestant must first win a local preliminary competition to compete to represent her state, a process requiring personal commitment, hard work and talent.
Never Before
Competed in any National Finals of the Miss America Opportunity.
NEW! Miss Age Requirements
TEEN Contestants 13-18*
For ages 13 to 18, contestants must compete at Miss America's Teen level. See Here for eligibility.
We are pleased to announce that effective immediately, Miss America has increased the age eligibility for young women entering our organization. Here is the updated age eligibility information:
Residence
New Rules for Residency (9/19):
1) Reducing the six-month residency requirement to thirty (30) days prior to a local competition and ninety (90) days prior to a state competition without locals;
2) Eliminating the requirement to complete at least one semester and allowing college/university acceptance and enrollment to physically attend classes; and
3) Reducing the twenty-six weeks of full-time employment to sixty (60) days of continuous full-time employment.
Citizenship
Must be a citizen of the United States of America at the time she enters her first competition.
Must be female - provide a birth certificate
Education
Must be a high school graduate or have successfully completed the GED testing program for high school equivalency or have successfully completed the academic requirements for entry into a college/university degree program by July 30th immediately preceding the National Finals.
Additional Requirements can be found in contestant local contract.
Miss Minnesota has the opportunity to represent our state at Miss America. Wearing the Miss Minnesota crown or the crown of a local titleholder allows a young woman access to mentors in her field. It is a year of opportunity for many young women who find doors open that they may have never imagined. It is a chance to use her talents and passions to do something important for their communities and bring meaning to their lives.
AM I ELIGIBLE TO COMPETE?
To become a candidate in Miss Minnesota, a contestant must first win a local preliminary competition to compete to represent her state, a process requiring personal commitment, hard work and talent.
Never Before
Competed in any National Finals of the Miss America Opportunity.
NEW! Miss Age Requirements
- We are pleased to announce that effective immediately, Miss America has increased the age eligibility for young women entering our organization. Here is the updated age eligibility information:
MISS Contestants 18-28 - Birth year: 1996 - 2006 for 2024 state/national competition
TEEN Contestants 13-18*
For ages 13 to 18, contestants must compete at Miss America's Teen level. See Here for eligibility.
We are pleased to announce that effective immediately, Miss America has increased the age eligibility for young women entering our organization. Here is the updated age eligibility information:
- Birth Year: 2010 - 2006 for 2024 state/national competition
- Those contestants born in 2006 may choose either to compete in the Miss division or the Teen division
Residence
New Rules for Residency (9/19):
1) Reducing the six-month residency requirement to thirty (30) days prior to a local competition and ninety (90) days prior to a state competition without locals;
2) Eliminating the requirement to complete at least one semester and allowing college/university acceptance and enrollment to physically attend classes; and
3) Reducing the twenty-six weeks of full-time employment to sixty (60) days of continuous full-time employment.
Citizenship
Must be a citizen of the United States of America at the time she enters her first competition.
Must be female - provide a birth certificate
Education
Must be a high school graduate or have successfully completed the GED testing program for high school equivalency or have successfully completed the academic requirements for entry into a college/university degree program by July 30th immediately preceding the National Finals.
Additional Requirements can be found in contestant local contract.
Minnesota Awards Over $200,000 in Cash and
In-kind Scholarships
Did you know the Miss America Opportunity is the largest provider of scholarships exclusively for women in the world?
Each year, in addition to the national organization, state and local organizations makes available more than $40 million in cash and tuition scholarship assistance. In Minnesota, the scholarships are provided by passionate sponsors and volunteers who make this organization run. Many different types of scholarships are available at the local, state and national levels of competition, based on talent, competition performance or field of study. You already start winning scholarships when you compete in a local competition.
Each year, in addition to the national organization, state and local organizations makes available more than $40 million in cash and tuition scholarship assistance. In Minnesota, the scholarships are provided by passionate sponsors and volunteers who make this organization run. Many different types of scholarships are available at the local, state and national levels of competition, based on talent, competition performance or field of study. You already start winning scholarships when you compete in a local competition.
Scholarships awarded reflect achievements of a contestant during the competition, but many other scholarship opportunities are available to women who compete at the local and state levels, whether or not they win the a local or the Miss Minnesota title.
Cash scholarships mean that the scholarship is paid directly to the winner's student loan or tuition bill, making the award exempt from taxes. Therefore, these awards don't require that a student attend a specific college or university to benefit from the award. In addition, there are a number of in-kind scholarships and preparation support that is offered, making the competition effort worthwhile for every young woman who competes.
Local Competition Scholarships & Awards
Each contestant who wins a local competition wins at least a $500 scholarship, crown, sash and entry fee to the state competition ($400 value). Additional scholarship awards are given at each competition. These awards vary so check with the Local Executive Director about opportunities that are available at each competition.
2023 Miss Minnesota Competition Scholarships
2023 Winner $10,000
1st Runner Up $2,000
2nd Runner Up $1,400
3rd Runner Up $1,200
4th runner Up $1,000
Semi-finalists 7 each $150
Total: $16,650
Competition Awards
Preliminary Talent Winners (2 @ 500) $1,000
* provided by Lauren Green & Ted Nikilos & McNeil Chestnut
Preliminary Evening Wear (2 gift certificates @ $250) $500
* provided by The Pageant Shopp - Sarah Moses
Brooke Kelly Kilgarriff '09 Rookie Talent Award - $300
Dr. Glenn Harman - Juliana Gabor '70 Memorial Non-Finalist Talent Award - $300
Miss Congeniality Award - $250
* provided by Shelby Sorvig in honor of Bailey Sorvig Richert
Producer's Award - Nancy Mathisen & Lauren Green - $400
#FightLikeGina STEM Scholarship - Cavanagh Family $500
LOVE of Giving Scholarship (Shelly Bartlett - 2 x $500) $1000
Overall Evening Gown Award - Elegant Edge - $250
Moxie Interview Award, Sammi Massie - $300
Show us Your Shoe Award - $100, Miss Minnesota Hostesses & DSW
BeBe Shopp Legacy Award, Miss Hastings Scholarship Foundation - $1500
Sister to Sister Legacy Award - $250
Sister to Sister Rookie Award - $250
Additional Scholarships Awarded: $6,350
Scholarships awarded during the year
Text to Give to be announced
In-Kind Scholarships & Awards
Tuition-Free Dale Carnegie Program Scholarship for Miss Minnesota
Each Local Titleholder Receives a MN North Central US Region Dale Carnegie Program Scholarship worth $1995 X 25 - $51,870
*Sherman College of Chiropractic - $119,000
Academy of Glam - $6,250
Total In-Kind Scholarships $177,120
*restrictions apply
Cash scholarships mean that the scholarship is paid directly to the winner's student loan or tuition bill, making the award exempt from taxes. Therefore, these awards don't require that a student attend a specific college or university to benefit from the award. In addition, there are a number of in-kind scholarships and preparation support that is offered, making the competition effort worthwhile for every young woman who competes.
Local Competition Scholarships & Awards
Each contestant who wins a local competition wins at least a $500 scholarship, crown, sash and entry fee to the state competition ($400 value). Additional scholarship awards are given at each competition. These awards vary so check with the Local Executive Director about opportunities that are available at each competition.
2023 Miss Minnesota Competition Scholarships
2023 Winner $10,000
1st Runner Up $2,000
2nd Runner Up $1,400
3rd Runner Up $1,200
4th runner Up $1,000
Semi-finalists 7 each $150
Total: $16,650
Competition Awards
Preliminary Talent Winners (2 @ 500) $1,000
* provided by Lauren Green & Ted Nikilos & McNeil Chestnut
Preliminary Evening Wear (2 gift certificates @ $250) $500
* provided by The Pageant Shopp - Sarah Moses
Brooke Kelly Kilgarriff '09 Rookie Talent Award - $300
Dr. Glenn Harman - Juliana Gabor '70 Memorial Non-Finalist Talent Award - $300
Miss Congeniality Award - $250
* provided by Shelby Sorvig in honor of Bailey Sorvig Richert
Producer's Award - Nancy Mathisen & Lauren Green - $400
#FightLikeGina STEM Scholarship - Cavanagh Family $500
LOVE of Giving Scholarship (Shelly Bartlett - 2 x $500) $1000
Overall Evening Gown Award - Elegant Edge - $250
Moxie Interview Award, Sammi Massie - $300
Show us Your Shoe Award - $100, Miss Minnesota Hostesses & DSW
BeBe Shopp Legacy Award, Miss Hastings Scholarship Foundation - $1500
Sister to Sister Legacy Award - $250
Sister to Sister Rookie Award - $250
Additional Scholarships Awarded: $6,350
Scholarships awarded during the year
Text to Give to be announced
In-Kind Scholarships & Awards
Tuition-Free Dale Carnegie Program Scholarship for Miss Minnesota
Each Local Titleholder Receives a MN North Central US Region Dale Carnegie Program Scholarship worth $1995 X 25 - $51,870
*Sherman College of Chiropractic - $119,000
Academy of Glam - $6,250
Total In-Kind Scholarships $177,120
*restrictions apply
Awards & Prizes for the Winner of the Miss Minnesota Title
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Official Crown, Crown Box, Crown Pin - The Wedding Guys Bouquet of Flowers - 651 Studio & Floral Design Miss Minnesota Trophy Trip to Miss America Competition Trip to Miss America's Teen Competition Additional awards have included: Wardrobe Allowance The Pageant Shop - Sarah Moses Regalia Magnificent Apparel The Elegant Edge Official Crown Portrait, hair and makeup (Paula Preston Photographer, Penny Wells & Andrew Schmitz) Custom evening purse by Creations by Niki - Niki Lassiter Gift certificate from Niki Lassiter to create own bag Dale Carnegie Training Cheri Kennedy Consulting Legacy Group Spiker Fitness Nutrition Guidance and Fitness Training Media Training Teeth Whitening Dream Duffel Custom Jacket, Tee, Leggings, Jersey - ProBiz Sports BeLashii - Eyelashes Gas cards provided by KWIK TRIP |
Sponsorship & Scholarship Contributors
Kwik Trip
Dale Carnegie
Gretchen Carlson
McNeil Chestnut Scholarship Preliminary Talent Award
Sister to Sister – Former Miss Minnesota's
Sherman College of Chiropractic
Brooke Kelly Kilgarriff Bosacker Rookie Talent Award
Lauren (Green) & Ted Nikolis Preliminary Talent Award
Dr. Glenn Harman Scholarship - Juliana Gabor '70 Memorial Non-Finalist Talent
Text to Give Scholarships
Niki Lassiter and Creations by Niki
Shelly & Marvin Bartlett – Love of Giving Scholarship
Gina Cavanagh Family - #FightLikeGina STEM Scholarship
Heather Sandkuhler
Allina Clinic
Kathy & Don Shellum
Shelby Sorvig - Bailey Sorvig Richert - Congeniality Scholarship
Legacy Group Consulting
Ron & Debbie Ames
SPIRE
Miss Hastings Scholarship Foundation
Nancy Mathisen
Mark Schreier
Sammi Massie - Moxie Rookie Interview Award
Jodi Swaja
Miss Minnesota Hostess Committee
MESFI
Anonymous donors
Dale Carnegie
Gretchen Carlson
McNeil Chestnut Scholarship Preliminary Talent Award
Sister to Sister – Former Miss Minnesota's
Sherman College of Chiropractic
Brooke Kelly Kilgarriff Bosacker Rookie Talent Award
Lauren (Green) & Ted Nikolis Preliminary Talent Award
Dr. Glenn Harman Scholarship - Juliana Gabor '70 Memorial Non-Finalist Talent
Text to Give Scholarships
Niki Lassiter and Creations by Niki
Shelly & Marvin Bartlett – Love of Giving Scholarship
Gina Cavanagh Family - #FightLikeGina STEM Scholarship
Heather Sandkuhler
Allina Clinic
Kathy & Don Shellum
Shelby Sorvig - Bailey Sorvig Richert - Congeniality Scholarship
Legacy Group Consulting
Ron & Debbie Ames
SPIRE
Miss Hastings Scholarship Foundation
Nancy Mathisen
Mark Schreier
Sammi Massie - Moxie Rookie Interview Award
Jodi Swaja
Miss Minnesota Hostess Committee
MESFI
Anonymous donors
Frequently Asked Questions
Am I Eligible to Compete?
Refer to eligibility information at the top of this page.
What are the Entry Fees
Miss America has set up a new criteria for entering a local competition.
What does Miss Minnesota Do?
After Miss Minnesota is selected she embarks on her 'year of service.' As a spokesperson and advocate, Miss Minnesota travels throughout the state, addressing diverse audiences, increasing awareness and promoting her chosen platform.
What's the benefit of Competing?
Alumna of the local and state competitions have gone on to become leaders in their field. Whether or not you win a title, the experience and camaraderie propel many young women to success.
If I don't win, can I still earn Scholarships?
Yes! See the many cash scholarships listed above.
What are the Competition Categories?
Single Night State & All Local Competition Scoring
30% Private Interview
10% On Stage Question
20% Health & Fitness
20% Performance Talent/HERstory
20% Evening Gown
30% Private Interview
10% On Stage Question
20% Health & Fitness
20% Performance Talent/HERstory
20% Evening Gown
How Do I get Started?
Go to the Local Competitions and find a date and location that works for you. Contact information for each local competition is found by clicking on the crown for their competition. If you are unsure about which would be right for you, click on the Contact Us link below and include your birthday, where you live/work/go to school, and you will be referred to a competition contact.
Interested in competing? Contact us and we will point you in the right direction. To compete at state, you can win a local title, apply to become a digital contestant, or sign up at large. All of these avenues are welcome ways to get to the Miss Minnesota stage. (Fees will apply for At Large and Digital). |
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