At-Large Miss PA Contestant Application

Welcome to Miss Pennsylvania!

As the official licensee of the Miss America program in Pennsylvania, we are thrilled to bring our scholarship competition to the Appell Center for the Performing Arts this June. Last year, we awarded over $75,000 in scholarships to deserving young women and teens.     

The Miss America program is a division of The Miss America Opportunity for young women ages 18-28. Candidates compete in areas such as interview, talent, fitness, and social impact for scholarships to further their education and the chance to represent the nation as Miss America.

As part of the Miss America Opportunity, participants  earn educational scholarships at every level of competition. Since its founding in 1921, Miss America has paid over $1.3 million in cash scholarships to 200 colleges and universities across the nation. Last year, Miss Pennsylvania was awarded a $12,000 cash scholarship and attends the national Miss America competition!

Join us for an amazing few days in York, PA where in addition to competing for thousands of dollars in scholarships, you will participate in various community events, visit local sites, and be showcased throughout the week! 

-      Deborah Butcher, Executive Director

Miss PA Scholarship Foundation, Inc.

 Eligibility

As a Miss Pennsylvania  candidate, you must meet the age eligibility requirements:

Miss America 18-28 – must be 18 by state competition, and no older than 27 at state competition.

Your first step is to register with the Miss America Opportunity.  You can do so here.

https://www.club.missamerica.org/join-page

To qualify, you must meet Guidelines set forth by the Miss America Organization State agreement which includes:

·         Complete all remaining program and production paperwork and other requirements. Complete information is found in the contestant’s resource portal. The link will be provided once application is approved.

·         Be available for the following mandatory Events/Dates:

Candidate/Parent(s)/Guardian(s) Orientation
Saturday, April 18, 2026, from 9am-3pm
Yorktowne Hotel, 48 E. Market St., York, PA  17402
A parent/guardian must accompany the candidate to Orientation. Lodging is the responsibility of the candidate’s family.

          (Informative session to learn about the activities and events during competition week, as well as additional development and preparation for the state competition)

Miss Pennsylvania Scholarship Competition

Miss PA week begins Monday, June 15 through Saturday, June 20, 2026.

Miss Pennsylvania Scholarship Competition begins Thursday, June 18 – June 20, 2026, Appell Center for the Performing Arts, York, PA
Lodging: Yorktowne Hotel, York, PA (lodging is courtesy of the Miss PA Scholarship Foundation and you will be paired with a roomate)

 

Local Titles

It is necessary for each Miss Pennsylvania candidate to have a local title to use during the competition.  Please choose several options for consideration.  They can include your hometown or county.  Please note that a local title may already be in use and the MPSF, Inc. will choose title name. 

Titles will be assigned first come, first served. If none of the two requested titles are available, we will assign an appropriate title based on location in the state. The title will be used in the program book and for onstage introductions. There will be no crown and sash provided, but they can be purchased.

Miss America Crowns and Sashes

As an At-Large Candidate competing for the title of Miss Pennsylvania , an official Miss America /Miss Pennsylvania Local titleholder crown and sash are available. We do use crowns and sashes during the competition week for community events and is encouraged. Please indicate if you would like to purchase the crown and/or sash below.  Sashes are recommended to identify yourself during competition week. 

Miss Pennsylvania Competition Scoring

· Private Interview 30%

· Talent/HERStory™ 20%

· Health & Fitness 20%

· Evening Gown 20%

· On Stage Conversation 10%

Further items of note:

1.   You will be required to cover state competition costs including Production Attire which includes opening number outfit. All remaining wardrobe is the sole responsibility of candidate. This includes: interview, talent, Rebel fitness attire, evening gown, off night evening gown, rehearsal attire, and additional excursion outfits as needed, and shoes and accessories for each wardrobe change listed.

2.   Be committed to volunteering within your community. Provide an official Community Service Impact Essay outlining and detailing your chosen social cause and what you have done and will do to support this cause during your year of service. This will be used during your interview portion of competition.

3.   Create a Factsheet and communnity service initiative essay that will be used during your interview portion of competition 

4.   Prepare a 90 second talent presentation of your choice that you will present on the prestigious Appell Center for the Performing Arts stage!

5.   Additional requirements including advertising, sponsorships, event tickets to come with full candidate state competition packet. 

If you have questions, please contact Deborah Butcher, Executive Director, Miss PA Scholarship Foundation at debbiebutcher@yorklinks.net.

 

Additional Miss Pennsylvania Scholarship Competition Events and Competition are optional, but you are encouraged to attend, including the Miss Pennsylvania’s Teen Purse Auction on April 17, 2026 at the Yorktowne Hotel.

Please use the link below to register and for payment for the Purse Auction. 

 https://form.jotform.com/240508657783163

 We can’t wait to see you there! 

Payment

The at-large fee of $1500 will be due to the Miss PA Scholarship Foundation, Inc. along with the completion of this form. If you are purchasing a crown/sash, please add that to your payment.

All crowns and sashes will be ordered at the close of the at-large contestant window.

Payment can also be made by check and mailed to Miss PA Scholarship Foundation, Inc., 180 Rosalia Circle, York, PA 17402.