Lyndsay Fogarty
This month, young women, ages 13 to 18, from across the country will take the stage at the Linda Chapin Theatre inside the Orange County Convention Center for the annual Miss America’s Outstanding Teen (MAOT) competition. Not only will they compete for the title, but they will also work to raise funds for the program’s beneficiary: Children’s Miracle Network.
The focus of MAOT lies in four main areas. From its inception in 2005, the No. 1 priority has been scholarships. In the nearly 15 years since it began, the program has paid over $1.3 million in scholarships to over 245 colleges and universities across the country.
“I’m proud to say we’ve paid at least one in every state,” Chairman of the Board Donna Bozarth says. “It’s a little bit unbelievable because when we started, we had no idea where this would go.”
Next, program organizers wanted to encourage the young women who participated to be involved in community service projects within their communities in addition to their work with Children’s Miracle Network hospitals. Bozarth notes that some participants have founded their own 501c3 organizations and that they are active with them well into adulthood.
The third major component is promoting healthy lifestyles, and that includes a positive body image for all body types. That’s why there is no swimsuit competition. It’s replaced by a fun aerobic-style competition that encourages healthy living.
The fourth and final focus is encouraging each young participant to develop her creative and artistic skills through the talent portion of the competition. Bozarth remembers former participants who have gone on to do amazing things, including one who recently completed a role as Eliza in the Broadway musical “Hamilton.” The reigning Miss America’s Outstanding Teen 2019, London Hibbs from Tyler, Texas, will be traveling to Australia to sing at the Sydney Opera House when she hands over the title later this month.
“To give them a platform where they can be proud of good grades, good citizenship and working hard at everything they attempt, whether they’re the best at it or not – just to have that platform to showcase who they are – it’s just a great feeling and really good for these kids,” Bozarth says.
Three nights of preliminary competitions for the 2019 MAOT program begin on July 23. Then on Saturday, July 27, the top 15 will be announced at the finals. They will compete in all phases of the competition and then a winner will be crowned.
“It’s four nights of incredible entertainment,” she says. “It’s great family fun and at the end, on Saturday night, one young lady wins at least $30,000 in scholarships.”
Event Details
When: July 23-27
Where: Orange County Convention Center’s Linda Chapin Theatre
Cost: Ticket prices vary
For more information, visit MAOTeen.org
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