100 Years of Miss America

For years, the Miss America Organization has provided young women with opportunities to receive their education. After yearly competitions, the organization is finally reaching its 100 year anniversary and one lucky girl will win the crown on December 16, 2021.  

Since 1921,  the Miss America Organization has been one of the biggest suppliers of scholarships for young women. This year, the organization has announced that the winner of Miss America will receive a $100,000 scholarship towards her education. Awarding well over $1 million in scholarships each year, the organization has not just awarded money but lessons that will last a lifetime. 

The purpose of the Miss America Organization is to allow young women to show their strength and make a difference in the world. Following the four points of the crown, the organization is built with the morals of style, success, scholarship and service. The title of Miss America is not just a title that comes with a crown; it is a full-time job. 

While Miss America is a role model and representative of the Miss America Organization, she is also responsible for positively advancing the goals of the organization as well as her Social Impact Initiative. The service completed by Miss America each year is groundbreaking and exceeds expectations unlike any before. 

While the Miss America Organization does provide women with opportunities to make a difference, it also allows women to liberate themselves. Miss North Charleston Morgan Rhiana  Elvis has been an active candidate in the Miss America Organization since 2014 and has been able to raise awareness for missing persons throughout the state.  

“Being able to provide for people who have experienced trauma throughout not just the state but the nation is one of the biggest rewards for me,” says Elvis. “It’s been almost ten years since my sister went missing and her disappearance has made a bigger impact on me than imaginable; I’m just glad I can give back to my community based on my experiences.” 

The job of Miss America is a demanding yet rewarding experience. Women ages 18 through 25 are able to compete for the title starting at a local level, yet only 50 are able to represent their state at Miss America. The competition within state and local events is just as vigorous and demanding as competing at a national level. 

The 50 women competing for Miss America, ages 19 through 25, are preparing for the national competition, which will start on Dec. 9. With Miss South Carolina being the youngest candidate at 19, she is ready to take on the job of Miss America and show the country who she is. 

“I am a product of the Miss America Organization. I have been involved since I was 13 years old and it has become such a vital part of my life,” says Miss South Carolina Julia Herrin. “I’m ready to show everyone who I truly am while spreading the mission of the Miss America Organization along with my personal Social Impact Initiative: #RealNotPerfect.” 

Miss America may seem like an everyday competition but the reality of the competition is so much more than beauty. The women who have competed and are currently competing for the title of Miss America are held to higher standards internally and externally allowing the organization to shine above the others.