Miss America 2022


The Miss America 2022 competition was held on December 16, 2021. This was the 94th Miss America competition and was held at the Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, Connecticut, as the Miss America Organization celebrated its 100th anniversary. It was the first Miss America since 1954 that was not televised, but it was streamed on Peacock. There were several technical glitches within the stream throughout the show, causing many viewers to complain on social media about the production value.
Miss America 2020, Camille Schrier of Virginia crowned her successor, Emma Broyles of Alaska, at the end of the event. Broyles is Alaska's first Miss America title in the history of the pageant and the third Asian American to win the Miss America title, following Angela Perez Baraquio in 2001 and Nina Davuluri in 2014 and the first of Korean descent to win the Miss America title.

Background

On April 8, 2021, the Miss America Organization announced a three-year contract with Mohegan Sun to host the national competition which would be held in December.
On November 22, 2021, it was announced that the competition would be exclusively streamed on Peacock.

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic affected the planning of the 2021 event, known as Miss America 2021, which was initially scheduled for December 2020 and was to be hosted at the pageant's headquarters in Atlantic City, New Jersey. That was set to air on NBC but was cancelled on May 8, 2020, due to the onset of the pandemic. The other missing years are because there was no pageant held from 1928 to 1932 or in 1934 because of the Great Depression. Miss America Organization opted to postpone the 94th edition or the 100th anniversary of the pageant to the latter part of 2021.
The state pageant competitions had been planned for April to June 2020. However, they were postponed for a year, rescheduled for April and July 2021 or cancelled outright. The pageant allowed a one-time only grandfather clause on eligibility for state qualifying pageants. The exception was Montana, which held its pageant as planned on July 25, 2020. As with restrictions implemented in all 50 states and District of Columbia, numerous health and safety guidelines have been implemented for contestants, production members, and audiences at state pageants, such as taking a negative COVID-19 test and following social distancing. Additionally, a number of state pageants have had to alter their initial venue choices due to shut-downs implemented by their governors. Some state pageants had to push further a month after they were originally intended to schedule in typical April to June schedule to avoid scheduling conflicts with the Miss USA 2021 state pageants, which were rescheduled into most of 2021 due to the pandemic.
On December 13, 2021, Miss Maine Mariah Larocque tested positive for COVID-19, despite being fully vaccinated, and had to withdraw for the remainder of the competition including the final show. As a result, 50 delegates were still able to participate in the final competition as planned.

Overview

Judges

Preliminary Judges

On December 12-13, 2021, the judges for the preliminary competition selected the preliminary winners as well as the finalists for the final night. The panel included co-founder and president of BossBabe, Danielle Canty; performing artist, Kevin Davis; founder and CEO of Rae Model & Talent Agency, LLC, Jessica Rae; fashion designer, Paige Mycoskie; and artist and singer-songwriter, John Gurney.

Final Night Judges

On December 15, the judges for the final competition were announced. For the 100th anniversary, the panel consisted of former Miss Americas. They were Miss America 1990, Debbye Turner Bell; Miss America 2000, Heather French Henry; and Miss America 2009, Katie Stam Irk.

Results

Placements

Preliminary awards

AwardsCandidates
On Stage Interview
  • Equity and Justice Scholarship awards

Forever Miss America Scholarship

Jean Bartel Military Awareness Scholarship

Jean Bartel Social Impact Initiative Scholarship

South Dakota University STEM Scholarship

STEM Scholarship

Top Fundraisers

Women in Business Scholarship

Other awards

Candidates

51 state or district titleholders participated.
State or districtNameAgeHometownTalent"Social Impact Initiative"PlacementSpecial awardsNotes
AlabamaLauren Bradford21Gulf ShoresViolin, "Symphony No. 5, in C minor" by Ludwig van BeethovenUNPLUG: The Digital Diet Plan1st runner-upJean Bartel Social Impact Initiative Winner
South Dakota University STEM Scholarship
Top Fundraiser 2nd Place
Women in Business Finalist
Previously Miss Alabama's Outstanding Teen 2017
AlaskaEmma Broyles20AnchorageVocal, “Let Me Be Your Star” from TV show SmashBuilding Community Through Special OlympicsMiss America 2022Preliminary Social Impact Pitch AwardPreviously Miss Alaska's Outstanding Teen 2017
ArizonaAmber Barto23ScottsdaleContemporary Dance, "Dream Chasers" By Future World MusicLeadership through Service: Awareness, Action, ResultsPreviously Miss Arizona's Outstanding Teen 2014
ArkansasWhitney Williams23ConwayBaton Twirling, "Conga" by Miami Sound MachineHeart for the Arts
CaliforniaJazmin Avalos24Garden GroveVocal, "Astonishing" from Little WomenEnding Substance Abuse
ColoradoMaura Spence-Carroll21Fort CarsonVocal “Never Enough” from The Greatest Showman#EndTheStigma Surrounding Military Mental HealthcareFirst active-duty soldier to become Miss Colorado
ConnecticutSapna Raghavan22EllingtonIndian Classical DanceOvercoming Adversity: Embracing DiversityPreviously Miss Connecticut's Outstanding Teen 2015
DelawareSophie Phillips25BearPianoEnvironmental JusticeEquity and Justice Finalist
District of ColumbiaAndolyn Medina25Chesapeake, VAVocal, "Summertime" By The Paul Smith QuartetDemand an End: Stop Child Exploitation and Human TraffickingTop 10Jean Bartel Military Awareness Scholarship
Top Fundraiser 5th Place
Previously Miss Virginia's Outstanding Teen 2012
Previously District of Columbia Sweetheart 2019
Is an officer in the United States Navy
FloridaLeah Roddenberry22BradentonDanceBe a LeadHER: Ignite the Spark WithinTop 10Equity and Justice Finalist
Jean Bartel Social Impact Initiative Finalist
Previously Miss Florida's Outstanding Teen 2013 and 2015
Georgia |Georgia]Karson Pennington23AugustaTap DanceROAR: Reach Out and ReadEquity and Justice Scholarship 1st runner-up
HawaiiCourtney Choy25Ewa BeachHula AuanaFemale Empowerment Through Partnership
IdahoAyriss Torres21PocatelloBallet en PointeThe Equity ProjectCivil Affairs Specialist in the United States Army
IllinoisIsabelle Hanson25Glen EllynViolinThe Media Literacy MovementTop 10Preliminary Talent AwardPreviously Miss Illinois' Outstanding Teen 2013
IndianaBraxton Hiser24IndianapolisVocalLove Thy Neighbor
IowaGrace Lynn Keller23Island Lake, ILBallet en PointeRead to Succeed: Promoting Literacy in Grades K-3Eligible as a student and recent graduate of the University of Iowa
KansasTaylor Clark21St. JohnDrumsBand Together: Music Education for AllPreviously Miss Kansas' Outstanding Teen 2017
KentuckyHaley Wheeler23Clay CityVocalA Stitch of Hope: Alzheimer's Awareness
LouisianaJulia Claire Williams22MonroeDanceFind your FREDDY: Fostering Rewarding Engagements with Disabled and Disadvantaged YouthSTEM Scholarship 1st runner-upPreviously Miss Louisiana's Outstanding Teen 2015
MaineMariah Larocque25PortlandVocalA Survivors Purpose: End Child Sexual AbuseWithdrew prior to the final competition after tested positive from COVID-19Miss Congeniality
MarylandLydia Sohn25HanoverCelloArtworks: Promoting Arts Integration in Education and Engagement in Communities
MassachusettsElizabeth Pierre23North CambridgeDanceWe Hear You: Empowering Youth Voices2nd runner-up
MichiganVivian Zhong24NorthvillePianoGolden Warriors of Pediatric Cancer - Fight Like a KidSTEM Scholarship Winner
America's Choice
MinnesotaGabrielle Louise Mark25Red WingVocal, "Things Are Hard on Dreamers" from stage version of AmelieThe Campaign to Change DirectionSTEM Finalist
MississippiHolly Brand21MeridianVocalVolunteerism: If You See a Need, Take the LeadJean Bartel Social Impact Initiative FinalistPreviously Miss Mississippi's Outstanding Teen 2017
MissouriCallie Cox21MexicoVocalPeople First
MontanaJessica Criss24BozemanClassical VocalA Sense of Defense
NebraskaMorgan Hope Holen23OmahaDance, "Climb Ev'ry Mountain" from The Sound of MusicLead With Your Strengths: The Power of Strengths-based MentoringWomen in Business Scholarship 1st runner-upDaughter of Miss Nebraska 1988, Jodi Sue Miller Holen
Previously Miss Nebraska's Outstanding Teen 2014
Previously Distinguished Young Woman of Nebraska 2016
Top 10 at Distinguished Young Woman 2016
NevadaMacie Tuell24GardnervilleVocalMemories Matter: Alzheimer's Awareness
New HampshireAshley Marsh26LaconiaTap DanceFit for Life!-
New JerseyAlyssa Marie Sullivan25Cape May Court HouseVocalPeer Challenge Commit2CharacterJean Bartel Social Impact Initiative Scholarship 2nd runner-upPreviously Miss New Jersey's Outstanding Teen 2013
New MexicoSienna Mascareñas20AlbuquerqueDanceGirls Get Math: Breaking Gender Stereotypes in STEMPreviously Miss New Mexico's Outstanding Teen 2017
New YorkSydney Park25South BronxOriginal Poetic Prose, "Sit Like a Lady"You Go Girl! Power Through Sports3rd runner-upPreliminary Talent Award
North CarolinaCarli Batson21WilmingtonDanceCarolina CaresTop Fundraiser 3rd Place
North DakotaReyna Bergstrom25FargoVocalThe Influencer Era: Impact Beyond the Screen
OhioLora Current20RosewoodJazz Dance, “Holding Out for a Hero” by Bonnie TylerReadOn: Empowering Literacy, Learning, and LeadershipPreviously Ohio Fair's Queen 2019
OklahomaAshleigh Robinson23Oklahoma CityVocal, “Ev'ry Night at Seven” from 1951 MGM film Royal WeddingInclusion for all Abilities
OregonAbigail Hayes20DamascusVocal and Piano, "If I Ain't Got You" by Alicia KeysGeneration Youth: Tomorrow's Leaders4th runner-up
PennsylvaniaMeghan Sinisi26AltoonaBaton Twirling, "River Deep – Mountain High" by Ike & Tina TurnerAutism Awareness and AcceptanceEquity and Justice Finalist
Women in Business Scholarship Winner
Rhode IslandLeigh Payne21BarringtonPianoSupporting Small Business: Empowering Women through Ownership and Entrepreneurship
South CarolinaJulia Herrin20ManningPiano#RealNotPerfectTop Fundraiser 1st Place
South DakotaKaitlin O'Neill24GrotonBalletBloom: Healthy Mind, Healthy Body, Healthy You
TennesseeTally Bevis24SpringfieldVocalVote With a VisionForever Miss America Scholarship
Top Fundraiser 4th Place
Women in Business Scholarship 2nd runner-up
TexasMallory Fuller23FairfieldFiddleThe Happy Heart ProjectTop 10Preliminary Social Impact Pitch AwardYounger sister of Miss Texas' Outstanding Teen 2010 and Miss Texas 2018, Madison Fuller
UtahSasha Sloan23North [Salt Lake, Utah|North Salt Lake]Vocal, "That's Life" By Frank SinatraRISE for Refugees: Refugee Inclusivity, Support, and EducationTop 10Equity and Justice Scholarship Winner
Jean Bartel Social Impact Initiative Scholarship 1st runner-up
Women in Business Finalist
VermontDanielle Morse22New HavenSpeed PaintingChampioning for the UVM Children's HospitalSTEM Finalist
VirginiaTatum Sheppard22Milan, TNVocal, "Don't Forget Me" By Katherine McPhee. From Smash.Mentoring MattersDaughter of Miss America 1987 Kellye Cash
WashingtonMaddie Louder23SeattleDanceFeeding Hope: Eating Disorder Awareness
West VirginiaJaelyn Wratchford20MartinsburgOriginal MonologueInvesting in Our Future: The Impact of Youth Empowerment
WisconsinJennifer Marie Schmidt25Mount PleasantJazz Dance, "Hit Me with a Hot Note and Watch Me Bounce" from the Duke Ellington-based revue Sophisticated LadiesDiabetes, You Have the ControlSTEM Scholarship 2nd runner-up
WyomingMikkayla DeBolt21SheridanOriginal MonologueKids Unplugged: Encouraging Our Youth to Explore Their World Without Technology