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How to Become a Candidate:​

Candidates must live, work (40 hours or more), or go to school in: Fountain Valley, Huntington Beach, Westminster or Costa Mesa. Or attend as a full-time student at one of the following Colleges/Universities: UC Irvine, CSULB, Golden West College, Orange Coast College, Coastline Community College, Concordia University or Vanguard University.​

To have become a Miss Fountain Valley 2026 Competition Miss or Teen contestant  you must have met the age criteria as shown below. 
​Eligibility:

To become a local Miss Fountain Valley delegate for competing as a State CA, Titleholder at nationals in September 2026, you must meet the age criteria as shown below. 

Miss Ages18-28: must be NO OLDER than 28 on September 30, 2026, and no younger than 18 on Sept 1, 2026.
Teen  Ages: 14-18: must be no YOUNGER than 14 by September 1 and no older than 18 on Sept 30, 2026.

Teen Age Criteria- Additional Notes:

Miss America allows the option for 18-year-old contestants 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
Please proceed to your applicable State online application.

♢Must be a United States citizen.
♢ Female, not married and never have had children.

♢ Legal resident of Fountain Valley, Huntington Beach, Costa Mesa or Westminster at least 120 days prior to local competition and live there throughout her reign or attend school in those cities or attend UC Irvine, Cal State Long Beach, Concordia University or Vanguard University as a full time student or work 40 hours or more a week in Fountain Valley, Huntington Beach, Costa Mesa or Westminster.

Contact Sandi Licata with eligibility questions at slicata@prodigy.net 


Candidates will compete in five areas of competition:

Phases of Competition:

• 8 Minute Private Interview with the Selection Panel
• On Stage Conversation
  
• Talent/HERStoryTM
  
• Health & Fitness
  
• Evening Gown
  

Each candidate must have a Community Service Initiative that she will advocate during her reign of service.    

See below for full details.

 1. Private Interview (30% of total score)
Each contestant participates in an individual 8-minute press conference-style interview with our panel of judges.   There are 5 to 7 judges on a panel.  Contestants are questioned on their background as presented on their fact sheet, their educational and career goals, their opinions on current  events and social issues, and their interests,  hobbies and extracurricular activities as well as their own community service initiative.

-Scoring is based on:
Qualities  and  attributes of a Miss America, overall first impression, validated aspirations, opinions and responses in context.  Also, she should  have poise,  personal appearance, personality, intelligence, style and emotional control.  As well, she should have confidence;  plus knowledge, understanding and ability to articulate her platform issue.  The contestants should demonstrate a sense of accomplishment, and the ability to fulfill the job responsibilities of a Miss Fountain Valley and Miss California.
 
2. Talent /HERStoryTM (20% of total score)

​Approved Performing Arts & Talent List: Vocal Instruments Baton- Twirling- Magic -Dramatic Reading- Slam Poetry -Flags or Color Guard Presentation - Hula Hoops -Unicycling -Theatrical Science Experiments- Rodeo/Roping -Contortionist- Storytelling (HerStory)- Dance -Gymnastics (all types) -Painting- Stand Up Comedy -Monologues Spoken Word -Martial Arts- Demo Roller Skating- Balancing Acts -Juggling -Ventriloquism -Cheerleading -Signing.
Contestants perform a 90-second routine of their own choosing, Ballroom Dancing (allowed a partner on stage), Cheerleading routine (allowed a partner on stage).  Phone or e-mail us if you have a question about your talent presentation.

-Scoring is based on:
Talent selection and performance, as it distinguishes the contestant's skills and personality, creative interpretation, technical skill level (execution, technique, synchronization, control). She should have strong stage  presence and on-stage  personality. The totality of all elements (including costume, props, voice, use of body, choreography).

3. On-Stage Conversation (10% of total score)

 The objective is to evaluate the contestant's ability to think on her feet and answer a question of general interest to people her age, including, but not limited to, local, state and national current events.

-Scoring is based on:
Overall first impression, Extemporaneous response to on-stage question.
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 young people see her as a role model who is reflective of today's generation?

4. Evening Gown (20% of total score)

Each contestant appears on stage in an outfit of her own choosing, representative of what she would wear to a formal "after five" social event.

-Scoring is based on:
Qualities 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

5. Health and Fitness (20%)

-Scoring is based on: Dynamic Presence, Radiates Health, High Energy, Engaging Vitality and a sense of Confidence. 

All contestants are REQUIRED to purchase red athletic wear by Rebel Athletic. This is mandatory fitness outfit. Contestants must use only the STYLES from Miss America and the outfit must be in the color RED on the Miss  America tab on the website. https://www.rebelathletic.com/mao.html.  This is a special collaboration between Miss America and Rebel Athletic. Please use Code MAOCAGB at the end of your purchase to benefit the Miss California organization. The color red also demonstrates heart health with the American Heart Association.  CURATED STYLES FOR MISS AMERICA ORGANIZATION. The website is www.rebelathletic.com. Please use Code MAOCAGB when you purchase.        ​

Other Requirements:

Each delegate is required to raise at least $30 for the American Heart Assoc. Go Red for Women.To register for your mandatory $30 for Miss Fountain Valley 2026 Competition for the American Heart Association Go Red for Women spot fund. ​Each dollar raised will support Miss America's Scholarship Foundation and the American Heart Association's Go Red for Women movement which is committed to further research and education on women's heart health and help raise awareness that cardiovascular disease is the No. 1 killer of women. 

 Once you register for your Miss America Club fee of $49.99 you will be directed to your own Spotfund link to set up for Miss Fountain Valley​. Go to the Miss America website (missamerica.org) and click on  the Sign Up tab or use this link below. Be prepared to sign up for the registration fee and fill out your contract with your proof of eligibility ready   (proof of US citizenship, drivers license, etc.) or use this link below:

https://missamerica.org/signup/

What is a Community Service Initiative (Platform)?

A contestant chooses an issue of importance to her and to society. Through the written platform statement and private interview, the contestant is evaluated on her commitment to her chosen issue. Examples of platform issues have included Stem, ASL, Music therapy, kindness, Steam,  disability inclusion, Suicide prevention, adoption awareness, child advocacy, volunteer work with city, school, businesses, non-profit organizations, end domestic violence, literacy, diabetes, (athlete's) mental health, human trafficking, cancer awareness, empowering women, homelessness, protecting our planet, future leaders, eating disorders, military/veterans , grieving relief , dementia , financial success, youth leadership and any other needs that can help society.

 What do I wear? 

Evening Gown - evening wear of contestant's choice for a Red Carpet Look.
Health & Fitness-red Rebel athletic wear curated styles for Miss America in red only. 

Talent - any appropriate outfit or costume suitable to the talent being performed.  The time is no more than 90 seconds.
Private Group Interview- Dress appropriately for job interviews, a pant suit is allowed.
Opening Number-royal blue knee length dress with nude pumps .

On stage conversation -  Business attire or cocktail dress
All outfits and the talent performance will need to be approved by the Executive Director or Candidate Coordinator prior to the Competition.

What forms do I need? 

All candidates must apply at Miss America and pay a $49.99 registration fee for the competition year. Note: Please be prepared to fill out the contract when you pay your fee and do it at the same time.  Apply at https://missamerica.org/signup/​

Contestants must sign a contract which details will be discussed at the Orientation meeting.  CSI statement and summary of facts will be required. Proof of citizenship (passport or birth certificate), proof of residency, job or school must be provided to qualify.