Teen Delegates
Presented by the Women’s Scholarship Foundation of Klamath County, this competition is an official preliminary to Miss America’s Teen. Since its inception, the Miss Klamath County-Miss City of Sunshine Program, along with its benefactors, has offered over $600,000 in scholarships to young women across the region.
Why Participate?
The individual points of our crown symbolize our mission from the national level down to the local level (including our Teen titleholders). The “Four Points” represent “Style,” “Service,” “Scholarship” and “Success,” while the base represents “Sisterhood.” Though these are the foundational pillars of both the crown and the program, other goals of the Miss America Opportunity include supporting the personal, educational and professional endeavors of young women by:
Make a difference in your community/state
Further your own personal Community Service Initiative (CSI)
Build professional interview and speaking skills
Network with other inspirational young women and mentors
Serve as a mentor to a Shining Star
Become a brand ambassador
Set individualized goals to achieve personal development
Refine and perform your talent
Make life-long friendships
Potentially represent your local community at the state, or even national level through a lasting legacy as a titleholder
Phases of Competition
Private Interview (30%)
Wardrobe: age-appropriate interview attire that represents her generation and the Miss America’s Teen brand
Process: during this off-stage phase of competition, each delegate will engage in a private interview with the judge’s panel; this phase is (generally) 10 minutes long with a 30-second opening, a 9-minute Q&A period and a 30-second closing
Purpose: allows insight into the delegate's ability to fulfill the duties of a titleholder; her personal qualities and attributes relevant to the titleholder position; commitment to her Community Service Initiative (CSI); ability to express her own beliefs in an authentic and relatable manner; sense of accomplishments/goals above and beyond her Fact Sheet; spontaneity, intelligence, sense of humor, charm, and charisma; authenticity and ability to answer questions in a conversational, unrehearsed manner; ability to serve as a role model and if she is reflective of her generation
Fitness (20%)
Wardrobe: age-appropriate fitness attire from the Rebel Athletic x Miss America Collaboration Red Collection, or similar matching red activewear (for locals only—Rebel activewear will be required for titleholders advancing to the state level at their own cost)
Process: during this on-stage phase of competition, each delegate will perform a short, upbeat and pre-choreographed fitness routine
Purpose: allows insight into the delegate’s energy, comfort and confidence level on stage; spontaneity and lack of "robotic" stage presentation; ability to serve as national health/fitness ambassador; overall impression of health and physical fitness commitment.
Talent/Her Story™ (20%)
Wardrobe: age-appropriate attire/costume that complements your performance
Process: during this on-stage phase of competition, each delegate has 90 seconds to perform a Miss America’s Teen-approved talent selection; delegates may use LED screens, video projection, voiceovers, music backtracks, props or any other creative means to enhance their talent (based on capabilities of the competition venue); the medium the delegate provides must be of professional quality and self-sufficient (start/stop), delegates are responsible for advancing slides and/or executing the media provided during her talent; and may only have a “partner prop” for cheerleading and ballroom dancing talents
Purpose: allows insight into a delegate’s ability to captivate, engage and connect with the audience/judges during her talent performance or personal narrative (Her Story™); preparatory, performance and/or storytelling skills; interpretive ability and entertainment value relative to the category of performance art; stage presence, on-stage personality, and personal connection to talent; overall talent/skill in regard to her talent selection; to underscore Miss America’s Teen’s commitment to performance arts education initiatives and women's efforts in dance, music, opera/vocal, drama, magic, oratory, circus arts, and storytelling
Evening Wear (20%)
Wardrobe: age-appropriate, Red-Carpet-style formal attire suitable for an appearance as a titleholder
Process: during this on-stage phase of competition, each delegate will walk a graceful, slower-paced, pre-choreographed evening wear routine
Purpose: allows insight into a delegate’s sense of style and poise; ability to capture attention on stage through her comfort, confidence and composure; ability to represent the Miss America’s Teen brand at a high-profile event such as a gala, fashion show, fundraiser, awards show, red carpet or other formal event; how the delegate carries herself and showcases elegance—the scoring for this phase of the competition is NOT impacted by the gown she is wearing, or the perceived cost of that gown
On Stage Question (10%)
Wardrobe: same age-appropriate interview attire that represents her generation and the Miss America’s Teen brand worn during her Private Interview
Process: during this on-stage phase of competition, delegates will select and answer a pre-written question from a variety of similar topics covering aspects of the Miss America’s Teen brand, mission statement, the “Four Points” of the crown (Style, Service, Scholarship, Success), the brand’s foundation of Sisterhood, and/or the delegate's vision of effective marketing for the Miss America’s Teen brand going forward
Purpose: allows insight into the delegate’s sense of composure under pressure; her high-energy interactivity with the panelists and audience; each delegate’s intelligence, personality, charisma, and aptitude for the opportunity to become a titleholder; the depth of understanding about the Miss America Opportunity brand, and how serving as Miss Klamath County’s Teen or Miss City of Sunshine’s Teen will set the stage for becoming a spokesperson for those pillars throughout the county/state/country
Eligibility
To be eligible to compete as a delegate in this local preliminary leading up to Miss America’s Teen in September 2027:
Miss America’s Teen age limits are 14-18: must be NO YOUNGER than 14 by September 1, 2027, and NO OLDER than 18 on Sept 30, 2027.
Miss America allows the option for 18-year-old delegates to have a ‘pivot’ year to decide whether they would like to compete in the Teen or Miss divisions.
Additionally, once an 18-year-old decides on the division she may compete in, she may not change divisions until the next cycle.
*See official Miss America contract for complete, and updated eligibility requirements.
ALL of the following must be true for Teen delegates to be eligible to compete (for the 2027 calendar year):
I am a female
I am a citizen of the United States
I am not married, nor ever have been, and have no intention of becoming married between now and the end of my year of service
I am not pregnant, and have no intention of becoming pregnant between now and the end of my year of service
I am not currently a parent or legal guardian, and have no intention of becoming a parent or legal guardian between now and the end of my year of service
In addition, ANY of the following must be true for Teen delegates to be eligible to compete (for the 2027 calendar year):
I live full-time in Klamath, Lake, Jackson or Deschutes counties, and have for the past 6 consecutive months
I work full-time in Klamath, Lake, Jackson or Deschutes counties, and have for the past 6 consecutive months
I attend school full-time in Klamath, Lake, Jackson or Deschutes counties, and have for the past 6 consecutive months (must physically attend, online classes do not qualify)
Time Commitment
We highly encourage anyone potentially interested in joining our program to attend our Miss Klamath County (Miss and Teen) Orientation before the season officially starts. This is a pressure-free opportunity to learn more about our local organization and expectations, and to have any questions answered before signing up. The process of registering through Miss America, and specifically for our local, is something we also go over with delegates and parents/guardians together during a specialized contract-signing day (before practices begin) to help prevent errors and answer questions as needed. In addition, we suggest delegates select a Talent and Community Service Initiative (CSI) before our first practice.
Once fully registered, delegates must attend weekly practices (Sunday afternoons) and rehearsal week leading up to the competition, as well as the fundraisers/events for our organization, community, and sponsors (conflicts with out-of-area residency, school, sports or work are taken into account and can be worked around as needed). During these practices, delegates will learn in depth about each phase of competition, practice their production number, participate in mock interviews, have special guests/experts in their field lead specialized classes, meet their Shining Stars and build intentional relationships with fellow delegates and Board members. Community events and fundraisers are fun ways for us to give back to our sponsors and serve in our community—a foundational pillar of this organization. Rehearsal week is an even deeper dive into production to ensure everyone is prepared to take the stage with confidence.
Our program does have many strict expectations and deadlines required to compete and to keep our behind-the-scenes production efforts on track. Meeting these expectations, fundraising goals and deadlines will be each delegate’s responsibility, both during and outside of practice times. The dedication each delegate chooses to give, and the extent to which they utilize our provided resources and opportunities in preparation, will directly impact their experience and time commitment with our program.
Titleholders are required to attend Miss Oregon’s Teen Spring Workshop (location TBA in April) and Miss Oregon’s Teen Week (in Seaside, OR in June), as well as our fundraisers/events for our organization, community and sponsors throughout their year of service (conflicts with out-of-area residency, school, sports or work are taken into account and can be worked around as needed). We will also have meetings, practices and mock interviews after our local competition to help prepare our new titleholders for the quick turnaround, in getting ready to go to State.
Ultimately, we’re here as passionate volunteers to help provide the best experience possible for every young woman who enters our program (through personal growth, networking, friendship, community involvement and scholarship opportunities) as well as continue building our legacy as a catalyst for this region’s best and brightest. We will match your commitment on any level and help personalize your success in every way with our own time and energy as our commitment to you.
Financial Requirements
Miss Klamath County’s and Miss City of Sunshine’s Teen fees: there are no direct fees required to participate in our local program; however, Miss America requires an annual membership/registration fee of $49.99 (+3.5% credit card fee) through Club America to participate each year; though we don’t receive any funds from Miss America as a result of this payment, this registration automatically includes an official Miss Klamath County t-shirt to be worn at select appearances, fundraising events and rehearsals; attendance to at least one mentorship event with your Shining Star; attendance to weekly practices (including those at special locations and/or with special guests); a cash prize for the winner of People’s Choice; the opportunity to earn a variety of sponsored scholarships; and a guaranteed scholarship just for competing on our stage
Miss Oregon’s Teen fees: the Miss Klamath County Board of Directors pay all of the fees required to compete at Miss Oregon’s Teen on behalf of each new titleholder to help alleviate any additional financial burden (including the Miss Oregon’s Teen Spring Workshop registration fee and the Miss Oregon’s Teen production fee); during Miss Oregon’s Teen Week, wardrobe, food, lodging and any other travel expenses will be each delegate’s responsibility unless otherwise noted (there are various ways in which both Local and State Boards assist with these expenses, however)
Wardrobe: all required items must be provided by delegate/delegate’s parent or guardian, except for t-shirt listed above; however, our pageant closet will be made available, by appointment on a specified day, for delegates to borrow gowns and other wardrobe items from; the Miss Oregon Board also has a similar closet that they allow titleholders to borrow from (for a fee) as well
Fundraisers: no up-front cost, but each delegate must participate in our Miss Klamath County fundraisers throughout the season (past fundraisers have included: raising $30 for the American Heart Association fundraiser mandated by Miss America, and the following to benefit our local program: Double Good Popcorn fundraiser, ad sales, Build-Your-Own Scholarships, 50/50 ticket sales and People’s Choice voting—this does not include the in-person events we also take part in to earn money for our local program); Miss Oregon has their own (similar) fundraisers that new titleholders will also be expected to participate in after crowning and before Miss Oregon Week in June
Miss Klamath County (Miss and Teen) Orientation
Date and time TBA for the 2027 season
Ready to Join the Sisterhood? Apply Now!
Questions? Contact Us!
Co-Director: Debbie Greenleaf
541-331-1492
director.klamathcounty@missoregon.org