ELIGIBILITY

The 2026 Digital Open Competition will work differently than it has in previous years. Please ensure you read the below information in its entirety so that you do not miss out on opportunities to compete.

The Digital Open will take place on Saturday, April 4, 2026 (prior to the conclusion of all local and regional competitions), but the results will not be announced until after all local and regional competitions have taken place. Those selected to move forward to compete at the State Competition will be announced on Saturday, April 26, 2026 immediately following the Regional Competitions. Contestants are encouraged to participate in their Regional and the digital open competition, as well as apply for an At-Large title. Why not take advantage of every opportunity to earn a chance to compete at the state competition?

STATEWIDE DIGITAL COMPETITION FOR MISS & TEEN CONTESTANTS: Delegates must meet all of the eligibility requirements outlined in the Miss America Delegate Contract including age, residence, citizenship, education, personal characteristics, etc. Applications and all documentation are due by midnight on Thursday, March 26, 2026.

In addition to meeting all of the contract criteria, contestants must meet these eligibility requirements:
Delegates must reside, work full-time or attend school full-time anywhere in the state of Oregon.

Miss contestants must be between 18- and 28 years old. A delegate must be no younger than 18 years old as of September 1, 2026 and no older than 28 years old as of September 30, 2026.. To clarify, the contestant cannot be older than 28 in the year she would compete for a state title (June 2026).

Teen contestants must be between 13- and 18-years-old, but must be 14 by the start of the state competition. A delegate must be no younger than 14 years old as of September 1, 2026 and no older than 18 years old as of September 30, 2026. To clarify, the contestant cannot be younger than 14 and cannot be older than 18 by the start of the state competition.

How do You compete in the Statewide Digital OPen Competition?

The competition has two parts: submission of paperwork with videos and a live virtual interview. With your application you will submit your Fact Sheet, Community Service Initiative essay, an “Elevator Pitch” video and a talent video. The live virtual interview will take place on Saturday, April 4th via Zoom. In order to be approved to compete, you must register for an Annual Miss America Subscription and pay the fee. (Linked below if you are not already registered. This step only has to be completed once a year.)

What are the phases of competition?

1. Fact Sheet with 30-second “Elevator Pitch” video - 15%

2. Social Impact Initiative essay - 15%

3. Talent video (90 seconds) - 35%

4. Virtual live interview - 35%

   ***You will be scored by a panel of 5 judges.***

WHAT ARE THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE ELEVATOR PITCH VIDEO?

This will be a 30-second video where you let the world know who you are! Share what is important to you, your mission, school/education info, career, any interesting facts, or why your talent is exceptional. (These are all examples - you do not have to cover any or all of these topics.) Think of this as your People Magazine Exclusive interview in video form. Required file type is MP4.

What happens if I am selected to compete at the state competition?

If you are selected by the panel of judges to compete at the state competition, you agree to follow all of the the Miss Oregon Competition rules and guidelines, submit ALL required paperwork by the due date provided upon approval and meet all competition deadlines set by the Miss Oregon Scholarship Program. You must also pay the State Competition registration fee of $250 upon selection.

If you are selected to compete at the state competition you will receive an official local title and sash. Your title will be selected by the Miss Oregon Scholarship Program. There are no scholarships awarded at the the State Digital Open Competition.

can i compete in the digital open if i am also signed up for locals that take place after april 4th?

Yes! The results of the competition will only be announced AFTER all locals and regional competitions have taken place so you have every opportunity to earn a title in this pageant cycle.

if i am selected to advance to the state competition, will i be able to run in a local during the 2027 season?

Yes! All titles awarded in the Statewide Digital Competition will end on Sunday, June 28, 2026. No appearances can be made after that date using a title received in the Digital Open.

Applications and all additional documentation are due by midnight on Thursday, March 26, 2026.

Please DOWNLOAD these forms, complete them in their entirety and then save them in PDF format. You will need to upload them when you complete the application. Additionally, you will need to upload a headshot and the completed photographer release.

FACT SHEET INSTRUCTIONS

COMMUNITY SERVICE INITIATIVE ESSAY

PHOTOGRAPHER RELEASE

If you have any questions about the application or what you need to submit, please email Kirsten White or Blaine Barklow.

Please be sure to name files that will be uploaded in the following manner: ContestantName-FileName.xxx (.pdf files are preferred, and in some cases required. Please check the instructions on the JofForm, just below the Browse button, for accepted file types).