Miss American Teen Scholarship Pageant Inc

Participants who demonstrate financial need, or upon request, are eligible for a scholarship used to defray the costs of participating in the pageant. This scholarship allows the spirit of the competition to be maintained by leveling the economic playing field. The Pageant Committee is committed to inviting high achieving students to participate in the scholarship program notwithstanding socioeconomic factors. In addition, the organization serves a diverse population of people with varying financial capacity. As we expand the number of participants in the program each year, this fund will play an integral role in the successful recruitment of role models for each population group.

School nominees who are accepted into the pageant are eligible to receive scholarship funds for post-secondary study at an accredited college or university. Candidates must demonstrate excellence in the following areas: scholarship, service, and leadership. The selection process consists of personal interviews, an essay, community service record, overall presentation and personal message. Judges assess the candidate's ability and comfort level with public speaking, specifically their ability to impact their peers in a positive way. Generally, candidates must qualify with a high grade point average, a balance of extra-curricular and community service activities, and a specific vision of their future academic and career goals.

At the beginning of the program year and in recognition of their status as a role model, each participant is honored during a "crowning" ceremony in which they receive a title and pageant regalia (crown & sash). The ceremony formalizes which community their reign will support (coinciding with the neighborhood the participant lives in and/or attends school).

American Teen University (ATU) is a nationwide program that consists of educational workshops targeted to inner-city, minority and underprivileged girls 12 to 18 years of age. The program reinforces the message that all girls are beautiful despite their life circumstances and challenges. The mission of ATU is to build confidence in teens and tweens, inspire them to attend college, and provide them with important life skills and resources.
Our day-long events give girls the opportunity to meet and bond with each other, learn about important health issues and share tips to make them feel confident in their own skin. They are treated to lunch, a fashion show and receive free give-aways and services by local volunteer vendors. This event is a twelve city tour across U.S. major cities.