WEST PALM BEACH — All 104 Miss America and Miss America's Teen contestants signed their name in the pageants' history books on Monday as part of the organization's arrival ceremony.
Both groups of women made their debut in front of family and friends at the Hilton West Palm Beach ahead of competitions this week. They took part in the longstanding tradition of signing the map of America, and the event was topped off with the unveiling of the top 20 finalists, 10 in the Teens and 10 in the Miss America groups, for the Quality of Life Scholarship.
Tess Ferm, Miss America's Teen 2026, welcomed all of the 104 contestants as they came state by state on stage to sign the map, which covered a stage in one of the hotel's ballrooms, cementing their place
as the 2026 class of delegates with the help of a Sharpie.
"I know that you guys (delegates) are leaving your friends, some of your family members, your schoolmates, classwork, all the things, jobs and I'm just so grateful that you took the time to be here because I'm serious — This week will change your life," Ferm said.
As the duos of Miss and Miss Teen states came on stage, each of them wearing their navy blue pageant sash, some shared banter or complimented each other's dresses and outfits, showcasing the sisterhood behind the pageantry.
Once the map was filled with signatures, it was time for Wesley Miller Smith, Miss America's director of partnership development and this years chairman for the Quality of Life Awards, to announce the finalists.
The finalists will move on to the next round on Friday, Sept. 4, where they will be interviewed by a panel of judges, all with ties to Palm Beach County.
"Everyone of you who submitted (for the scholarship) should hear this. Your work matters, your voice matters, so keep serving, keep leading. Keep using your voice, because more than ever, the world needs what you bring to it," Smith said.
This year there were 48 applications and the top three finalists in each division will received a combined $23,500 in scholarship money to put toward tuitions.
Miss America's first place will receive $10,000 and Miss America Teen's first place will receive $3,000 with both second and third in each group also receiving award money.
Top 10 Miss America Teen Quality of Life Finalists
The names are listed in the order the contestants were called.
- Miss Nebraska Teen, Ella-Kathryn Anderson.
- Miss Maryland Teen, Aryani Odie.
- Miss Wisconsin Teen, Meredith Rosemurgy.
- Miss New Jersey Teen, Natalie Troyer-Kulstad.
- Miss Arkansas Teen, Presley Bennett.
- Miss South Carolina Teen, Logan Wells.
- Miss Indiana Teen, Lily Bauer.
- Miss Pennsylvania Teen, Anna Rinnier.
- Miss Mississippi Teen, Madalyn Sullivan
- Miss Colorado Teen, Michelle Mann
Top 10 Miss America Quality of Life Finalists
The names are listed in the order the contestants were called.
- Miss Georgia, Sophia Wootten.
- Miss Oregon, Allyssa Defillipo.
- Miss Pennsylvania, Stephanie Skinner.
- Miss Tennessee, Makalyn Heaslett.
- Miss Arizona, Victoria Vredevoogd.
- Miss Illinois, Kate Dimmett.
- Miss Florida, Alexandra de Roos.
- Miss Alabama, Ruby Tilghman.
- Miss South Carolina, Lindsay Jones.
- Miss Missouri, Tabitha Crain.
This week's Miss America pageant calendar in West Palm Beach
- Tuesday, Sept. 1: Miss America's Teen Preliminary Competition, Kravis Center, 701 Okeechobee Blvd., 7 p.m.
- Wednesday, Sept. 2: Miss America Preliminary Competition, Kravis Center, 7 p.m.
- Thursday, Sept. 3: Miss America's Got Talent Competition, Kravis Center, 5 p.m.
- Friday, Sept. 4: Pre-Gala Red Carpet, Palm Beach County Convention Center, 650 Okeechobee Blvd., 5:30 p.m.
- Saturday, Sept. 5: Miss America's Teen Final, Kravis Center, 7 p.m.
- Sunday, Sept. 6: Miss America Final, Palm Beach County Convention Center, 7 p.m.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Miss America in West Palm: Contestants sign US map, record of history
