Miss America

The Miss America pageant was established as an annual national beauty pageant in the United States back in 1921. The very first contest was held in Atlantic City, New Jersey, as a way to extend the summer tourist season. It has since evolved into one of the oldest and most recognized scholarship programs for women.

No, the Miss America Organization officially eliminated the swimsuit competition in 2018. The competition now focuses primarily on evaluating the contestants' communication skills, talent, and platform presentations. This shift was part of a broader rebranding effort to emphasize the organization's scholarship opportunities over physical appearance.

The Miss America Organization is notable for being one of the largest providers of scholarship assistance to young women in the United States. The exact amounts vary by year and placement, but the national titleholder receives substantial financial awards. Local and state competitors also earn thousands of dollars to fund their college education.

For most of its history, the Miss America competition was held annually in Atlantic City, New Jersey. However, the pageant relocated to Las Vegas, Nevada, for a period in the late 2000s and early 2010s. Recent competitions have moved around various locations, including Uncasville, Connecticut, depending on the year.