At the local level of the Miss America program there are five areas of competition:  Interview, Talent, Physical Fitness in Swimsuit, Evening Wear, and Onstage Question.  We will explain each area of competition and what the judges are looking for during that particular phase.  We will also attempt to explain the scoring process.  Please let us know if you have any questions.

Private Interview (25%)

This phase of competition is held before the on-stage competition and counts for 25% of the overall score.  During this portion the judges will have an opportunity to learn as much as possible about the contestant -- her "qualities and attributes"; her commitment to advance her platform issue as a role model; her ability to express and distinguish her beliefs; and her ability to fulfill the "job responsibilities".  The judges will be evaluating each contestant on these specific areas:

1. Overall first impression
2. Qualities and Attributes
3. Knowledge and Understanding of her Platform Issue - in a manner of national public interest
4. Ability to fulfill job responsibilities
5. Sense of accomplishments (above and beyond statement of achievements on fact sheet)
6. Confident and commanding presence
7. Personality, appearance and attractiveness
8. Validated opinions and responses (in context)
9. Communication (speech, vocabulary and grammar)

Other important points to remember, each contestant will stand behind the podium and address the panel of five judges.  The question and answer portion will be 9 minutes and 30 seconds.  Then the contestant will be given 30 seconds to make a closing statement of her choice.  Judges will then award the contestant an overall score on a scale from 1 to 10.  The high and low score will be discarded for each contestant and the rest will be averaged.

Interview questions could be based upon the following:

1. Opening statement
2. Fact sheet
3. Relevant issues facing women
4. State issues relevant to the contestant
5. Role and responsibilities
6. Current events
7. Career goals and personal ambitions
8. Education
9. Talent
10. Platform

A contestant may respond to a question with "I don't know" and the contestant is to wear "business attire" that is appropriate for her age and for a job interview.

Talent (35%)

Talent is not an end in itself, but rather an insight into the contestant's preparatory and performance skills.  The talent competition acknowledges the quality of the performance, the technical skill level, stage presence and the interest and entertainment value.  The judges will score each contestant on a scale from 1 to 10 at the conclusion of her talent performance.  The high and low scores will be dropped and the rest will be averaged by the auditor.

The following is a list of specific scoring criteria:

1. Selection & Performance (distinguishes personality & skill)
2. Interpretive ability: Technical skill level (execution, technique, synchronization, and control)
3. Stage Presence (on-stage personality)
4. Total of all elements (including costume, props, music, voice, use of body and choreography)
5. Did you enjoy the presentation?

Each contestant is allowed two minutes to perform her talent selection and talents should not exceed this time limit.  Talent can include anything from singing, dancing, playing a musical instrument, baton twirling, gymnastics, acting, martial arts demonstration, magic acts, or any other type of performance.  Props must be small enough for the contestant to carry herself.  No talent that could inflict injury is allowed and no live animals are allowed onstage.  If you have more specific questions, please contact the directors.

Physical Fitness in Swimsuit (15%)

This phase of competition is designed to see how well the contestant maintains a lifestyle of good physical fitness, emotional and intellectual health.  Her sense of confidence, attractiveness, and presence must be considered in the scoring.

Here are specific criteria the judges will look for:

1. First impression
2. Beauty and attractiveness
3. Lifestyle statement of strong physical, emotional, and intellectual health
4. Walk, posture, poise and grace
5. Sense of confidence and composure
6. Display of energy, charisma and expression
7. Qualities & Attributes

Contestants in the Miss division may choose to wear either a one or two piece swimsuit.  Either type must be modest and all swimsuits are subject to the approval of the pageant committee.  Contestants will be on-stage no longer than 35 seconds in their swimwear.  The contestant should wear a shoe with a reasonable size heel for comfort.  Contestants will not be on-stage in a group in their swimsuits.  Judges will score each contestant immediately after she has modeled her swimsuit on a scale of 1 to 10.  The high and low scores will be dropped and the rest will be averaged by the auditor.

Evening Wear (20%)

This competition is designed for the contestant to make an on-stage statement of her compelling charm, presence and personality.  Her beauty, sense of style, composure and allure must be projected across the footlights.  The contestant's total look is to be considered.  The evening wear (not the value of it) should compliment the contestant

Judging will be on the following criteria: 

1. Overall first impression
2. Sense of Confidence
3. Personality and Stage Presence
4. Walk, posture, carriage and grace
5. Sense of style and appropriateness of the evening wear
6. Beauty, sense of attractiveness and charm
7. Qualities & Attributes

On-Stage Question (5%)

The On-Stage Interview phase of competition is designed for the contestant to make an on-stage statement of her interests, opinions and aspirations.  The judge is to only consider the answer to the question.  The question should be relevant to the contestant's personally selected platform issue or fact sheet. 

Judges will be evaluating on the following criteria:

1. Overall “First Impression”
2. Extemporaneous responses to on-stage interview question (relevant to her personally selected platform issue or fact sheet)
3. Pay special attention to whether or not the contestant answered the question in the context in which it was asked and whether or not she has the charisma
4. Will young people see her as a role model who is reflective to today’s generation?

Once the scores have been calculated, the judges will be given a list of the top 5 highest scoring contestants at that time.  Only names will be listed, not their total score.  At this point each judge will rank each contestant in the order in which they believe each should finish in the competition.  Judges will consider the job responsibilities and requirements and choose the contestant they believe to be the best woman for this job by awarding her the first placement, the second best with the second placement and so on until are spots are filled.  A first place ranking is awarded 10 points, second place is awarded 5 points, third place 3 points, fourth place 2 points and fifth place 1 point. 

The outcome of the pageant is based solely on the scores from the final ballot.  These points will NOT be added to the scores from previous competitions.