New Judging Criteria
As an effort to deliver a more consistent experience for all participants, judges and
directors, we would like to announce our newly updated judging criteria! Founded in 1983 as Miss Teen of America Scholarship and Recognition Pageant and rebranded in 2017 as American Pageants Scholarship Program, our program is designed to help America’s youth reach their full potential. As always, the program continues to recognize young women for their outstanding personal achievements, scholastics, leadership abilities, and artistic, creative or athletic talents. The heart of the program will remain constant while looking forward to a very bright future.
In years past, Little Miss of America and Young Miss of America candidates were judged under different criteria than the older divisions. Going forward, all age divisions will be judged on the same categories! American Pageants’ created a fair and balanced criteria to ensure a holistic judging process. Each candidate will submit a single resume broken in three sections worth 15% each: Personal Development of Talents & Skills, Service & Achievements in School & Community and Scholastics and Professional Record. Personality Projection & Poise in Evening Wear will now be worth 20% of the preliminary score. Judge’s Interview remains as the heaviest weighted category at 30%. The newest category, Personal Introduction, rounds out the final 5% of preliminary scoring. As a tribute to the last 35 years, American Pageants will continue the traditional General Awareness Test which will be offered as a potential 5% bonus for the Junior, Teen and Miss age divisions. The highest score on the National General Awareness Test will be awarded the Warren Alexander Achievement Award.
- Resumes – 15% Each
- Personal Development of Talents & Skills
- Service & Achievements in School & Community
- Scholastics and Professional Record
- Personality Projection & Poise in Evening Wear – 20%
- Judge’s Interview – 30%
- Personal Introduction – 5%
- 5% BONUS – General Awareness Test *Junior, Teen & Miss Candidates Only
Additionally, the program will introduce the following criteria for the final show:
- Preliminary Score – 10%
- Final Review of Resume – 30%
- Personal Introduction – 15%
- Onstage Question – 25%
- Personality Projection & Poise – 20%
If the age division is narrowed down for a final soundproof booth question during the final show, a final ballot will be utilized.
Full category descriptions can be found here.