Miss America Age Requirement Change

All who sign this petition would like to see the Miss America Organizations competition age from 18-28. The current competition age states that no woman age 25 or over shall compete in Miss America. The Miss America organization strives on education, community service, professionalism, and personal growth. Women who take the job of Miss America are expected to be a spokesperson for their platform and community service programs.

"Whereas the Miss Americas of the past may have spent their year of service signing autographs in local drug stores for one of the pageant's sponsors, Miss America today is in great demand as a speaker before legislative bodies, civic and national service organizations and prestigious bodies of the nation's news media such as the National Press."

WHO WOULD YOU WANT TO TAKE ON THIS JOB? AN 18 YEAR OLD WHO JUST GRADUATED HIGH SCHOOL OR AN EXPERIENCED 28 YEAR OLD WHO HAS GRADUATED COLLEGE, HAS COMPLETED POSTGRADUATE PROGRAMS, AND HAS EXPERIENCE IN THEIR CAREERS?

Women 25-28 are still in school today working toward postgraduate degrees. Many women who have graduated still have college loans to pay on as well. Furthermore, wouldn't you want a doctor, lawyer, or experienced teacher to be the role model for young women? An 18 year old is just beginning her adventure for self growth. I agree to let her compete and grow in the program, but also let older, more experienced women compete as well. They know the power of the crown and what it represents. They have relationships with people in their communities and are experienced enough to know how to use their voices to make a difference in their and other communities.

Please read the following excerpt from the Miss America Organization, and if you agree with this petition please sign your name to help support these women further their goals in this program.

As posted on the Miss America Website (http://www.missamerica.org/competition/corporate/overview.asp)
Angela Perez Baraquio
Miss America 2001

Developed by the Miss America Organization, the Miss America program exists to provide personal and professional opportunities for young women to promote their voices in culture, politics and the community. It provides a forum for today's young women to express their viewpoints, talents and accomplishments to audiences during the telecast and to the public-at-large during the ensuing year. Almost all contestants have either received, or are in the process of earning either college or postgraduate degrees, and utilize Miss America scholarship grants to further their educations.

The Miss America competition began in 1921 as part of a stunt by Atlantic City businessmen to extend the summer tourist season. In succeeding years, the Miss America competition evolved into an American tradition with contestants from each of the states competing every September for the coveted title of Miss America. Early on, the talent competition was made part of the Competition in addition to the original swimsuit segment.

In 1945, the Organization began supporting women's education by offering its first scholarship. Today, the Miss America Organization is one of the nation's leading achievement programs and the world's largest provider of scholarship assistance for young women. Each year, the Miss America Organization makes available more than $45 million in cash and tuition scholarship assistance.

In the 1980's, a significant stride towards community service was made by the Organization when it began requiring each contestant in the local, state and national competition to embrace a social platform of national significance. As a result, Miss Americas have since become powerful, visible and credible spokeswomen for issues ranging from AIDS awareness and prevention programs to programs in support of homeless veterans. Whereas the Miss Americas of the past may have spent their year of service signing autographs in local drug stores for one of the pageant's sponsors, Miss America today is in great demand as a speaker before legislative bodies, civic and national service organizations and prestigious bodies of the nation's news media such as the National Press Club. Today, on an annual basis, Miss America state and local titleholders, along with the Organization's network of volunteers, participate in more than 12,000 community service projects, providing in excess of 500,000 service hours to worthy causes.

Since its inception in 1921 the competition continues to grow and remains rich in history and social significance. Based in Atlantic City, New Jersey, the Miss America Organization (a not-for-profit organization) provides young women with a vehicle to further their personal and professional goals and instills a spirit of community service through a variety of unique nationwide community-based programs.


SHOULDN'T WOMEN WHO ARE 25-28 HAVE THESE SAME OPPORTUNITIES?