Miss Division

Welcome to the Miss Rapid City Scholarship Organization! We invite you to enjoy the Miss America experience in our local program and realize the rewards of the world’s largest scholarship program for young women. All of the important documents you need to participate are available for download in a zip file at the bottom of this page.
 

The Miss America Organization, the nation’s leading achievement program and the world’s largest provider of scholarship assistance for women. It is a celebrated  brand that includes a local, state and national program. Miss Rapid City is a local preliminary for the Miss South Dakota and Miss America Organization.
 

The Miss Rapid City Scholarship Organization awards scholarships and prizes to young women on the basis of merit and civic and social achievement. The mission of our program is to promote scholastic achievement, creative accomplishment, healthy living and community involvement. Miss Rapid City is a scholarship based program. Through the efforts of thousands of volunteers across the country, the organization offers to accomplished young women the opportunity to earn college scholarship funds.
 

This local pageant is a preliminary event that will qualify the titleholder to participate in the Miss South Dakota Scholarship Pageant . The young lady chosen to be Miss South Dakota moves on to compete in the Miss America Pageant.  For more information, see www.misssd.org.
 

Some local pageants may have more restrictive geographical residency requirements. ALL titles we will give out are unrestricted. For every four contestants we have we can give a title, up to three total titles. Therefore, if we have 4-7 contestants, we will give one title, with 6-11 contestants we will give two titles, and with 12 or more contestants we will give three titles. The top-scoring contestants receive these titles, regardless of where they live, but the name of the title will be determined the night of the pageant. For instance, if the top scoring contestant is from east river, she will be given a title of Miss Rushmore. If the top scoring contestant is from Rapid City or close by, she will be given the title of Miss Rapid City. We will also be crowning a Miss Central States Fair. In order to be Miss Central States Fair, you must meet all other eligibility requirements and also be available for the entire week of the Central States Fair.
 

We would LOVE to have you involved in our pageant. Girls with any level of experience are welcome. We teach what they need to know so every young lady has the tools to be successful and most importantly, enjoy themselves during this experience. We have girls range from veterans to first-timers, so come and join the fun!
 

Eligibility

Open to female South Dakota residents that live, work, or attend school anywhere within South Dakota, and meet the age requirements outlined below.

A. Miss America program maximum age for candidates increases to twenty-six (26) years old by December 31st in the state competition year - from twenty-five. 

B. MAOTeen program maximum age for candidates increases to eighteen (18) years by December 31st - from seventeen (17) years by July 31st. 

C. Miss and MAOTeen programs will both have the same calendar cutoff date of December 31st in the state competition year. 

D. The education level requirement which also determined whether candidates were eligible for either the Miss or MAOTeen programs has been removed with the increases in age. 

Benefits after Transition Year 

A. Age eligibility cutoff dates are now consistent for Miss and MAOTeen Programs 

B. Miss Candidate ages will be 18 - 26 (if 18 years on Dec 31st, then MAOTeen) 

C. All Miss Candidates will be legal adults by their State Competition 

D. More Miss Candidates will have completed high school or equivalent and have an opportunity to attend post-secondary education by their State Competition 

E. MAOTeen Candidate age increases to 13 - 18 (no older than 18 on Dec 31st) 

F. Age alone determines which program, regardless of education level 

Execution for 2022 State and Local Season Transition 

A. MAO Candidates 18 years of age on Dec 31, 2022 are grandfathered to continue in the “Miss” program and not mandated to compete in the MAOTeen program a. Candidates currently competing for 2022 State Titles are able to remain in the Miss program in 2022 

B. MAOTeen Candidates 18 years of age on Dec 31, 2022 may continue in the “MAOTeen” program and grandfathered to continue competing in the MAOTeen program and not mandated to the Miss program a. Candidates currently competing for 2022 State Titles are able to choose either the Miss or MAOTeen program 
 

Scoring
35% Private Interview
15% Onstage Interview/Social Impact Pitch
35% Talent
15% Red Carpet 

Talent (35% of total score)

Contestants will perform a 90-second routine of their own choosing. Some possible talents include, but not limited to, vocal (pop, country, jazz, etc.), dancing, gymnastics, instrumental music, monologue (dramatic or comedic), baton twirling and poetry recital.

Criteria for Scoring:

• Talent  selection and performance, as it distinguishes both the contestant’s  skills and personality
• Interpretive  ability
• Technical  skill level (execution, technique, synchronization, control)
• Stage  presence and on-stage personality
• Totality  of all elements (including costume, props, voice, use of body,      choreography)

Private Interview (35% of total score)

Each contestant will participate in an individual 10-minute interview with a panel of 5 judges. Contestants will be questioned on information she provided on her application and fact sheet, as well as current events, controversial issues, issues relevant to women, career goals, and platform.

Criteria for Scoring:

• Qualities  and attributes of a Miss America
• Overall  first impression
• Validated aspirations, opinions and responses in context
• Poise,  personal appearance and attractiveness
• Personality,  intelligence, style and emotional control
• Speech,  vocabulary, and grammar
• Confident  and commanding presence
• Knowledge,  understanding and ability to articulate her platform issue
• Sense of accomplishment

Red Carpet (15% of total score)

Contestants appear on stage in an outfit of their choosing, representative of what she would wear to a formal event. Your choice of gown should be one that shows YOU off, not the GOWN.
 

Criteria for Scoring:

• Quality  and attributes of a Miss America
• Overall  first impression
• Sense  of confidence, personality and stage presence
• Walk,  posture, carriage and grace
• Appropriateness  of attire and sense of style
• Sense  of attractiveness, beauty and charm

On Stage Interview/Social Impact (15% of total score)

Contestants will be asked two questions, taken from your personal interview.
 

Criteria for Scoring:

• Did the contestant answer the question in the context in which it was asked?
• Can  she handle the pressure of speaking on stage in front of an audience?
• Will  younger people see her as a Role Model who is reflective of today’s      generation?

Service Requirement

Service has always been important to contestants striving for the opportunity to be Miss America. To build on this, contestants competing at any level and any division (including Teen) in the Miss America system are now required to raise a minimum of $100 to support Children's Miracle Network and the Miss America Scholarship Fund. This is not an entrance fee, but rather a service requirement to participate in Miss America sponsored pageants. This service requirement will  not only continue the Miss America Organization's legacy of service and scholarship assistance, but also raises funds and awareness for the Children's Miracle Network.

 

If you have questions, please contact:

Executive Director
Sara Frankenstein
4470 Rimrock Drive
Rapid City, SD 57702
Email: smfranken@hotmail.com
Home: (605) 787-4835
Cell: (605) 381-1693
Work: (605) 342-1078