The Miss America Organization is the largest women’s scholarship provider in the nation, providing thousands and thousands of dollars worth of scholarships to their contestants. They attract more than 12,000 women to their pageants. 

According to MissAmerica.org, in order to be a contestant, you must first win a local, followed by a state title, representing your state.

Here are some other requirements that must be met to be a contestant:

• be in good health to compete
• be a U.S. citizen
• be able to devote time toward the local program for which you compete
• meet residency requirements
• meet the characteristics set by the Miss America Orginization
• be between ages 17 and 24

To get involved with the Miss America Organization and their preliminary pageants, contact Anne Maes, the executive director of the Miss Greater Des Moines program.

Contact information can be found at www.missgreaterdesmoines.com.

For information regarding the Miss Iowa pageant, visit www.missiowa.com

To read the full story on the ISU student who was recently crowned Miss Metro, click here.