Why participate? Do it for the…

• Applause!  Receive recognition for your efforts and your community
• Personal Development – Gain valuable experience and develop life skills
• Crown & Awards! Winners receive scholarships toward tuition for college/grad school & a crown!
• Glamour – Red carpet moments await.
• Adventure…..Explore new interests, discover new opportunities
• Sisterhood! Make lifelong friends with other like-minded motivated women
• Growth….Foster a positive, self-motivated mindset to achieve your goals

Age Eligibility for 2026
To become a local participant for the 2026 competition, you must meet the age criteria as shown below:

• Miss America: 18 - 28
  • You must be no younger than 18 by September 1, 2026
  • You must be no older than 28 by September 30, 2026
• Miss America’s Teen: 14 - 18
  • You must be no younger than 14 by September 1, 2026
  • You must be no older than 18 by September 30, 2026 
    • Miss America has reinstated the option for 18-year-old contestants to have a ‘pivot’ year to decide whether they would like to compete in the Teen or Miss divisions.
    • Once you have decided to compete as a Teen or Miss, you cannot change categories mid-season. 
• Miss America's Little Sisters: 5 - 13
  • ​A Door County Cherry Blossom must be between the ages of 5 and 13 at the time of the Miss Door County Competition on February 7, 2025

​Residency Eligibility
To be able to compete for the tile of Miss Door County, Miss Door County's Teen, or become a Cherry Blossom you must live, work, or go to school full-time in:

• Door County, Algoma, or Luxemburg-Casco 
  • ​Approved zip codes: 54201, 54205, 54217

To be able to compete for the tile of Miss Cherryland you must live, work, or go to school full-time in the following counties:

• Door, Kewaunee, Brown, Outagamie, Waupaca, Shawano, Menominee, Oconto, Marinette, Langlade, Forest, and Florence
  • However, it must be noted that if a woman qualifies to compete for Miss Door County (i.e. lives in Door County, Algoma, or Luxemburg-Casco) she must compete for the title of Miss Door County. 
  • Former Miss Door County’s who have successfully completed their year of service may return to compete for the title of Miss Cherryland under this territory definition.

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Other Eligibility
For all ages you must ALSO meet criteria as shown below as set forth by the Miss America Opportunity: 

• Be a United States citizen
• Be a female
• Single
• No legal dependents

Local Competition Scoring

• 30%    Private Interview
• 20%    Health & Fitness in Rebel Wear Athletic
• 20%    Talent or HERStory 
• 20%    Evening Wear
• 10%    On-Stage Question

2026 Application Deadline
December 15, 2025

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