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FAQ's

  1. Am I a Miss or a Teen?
    Miss: Must be between the ages of 18 and 28.
    Teen: Must be between the ages of 13 and 18.
     
  2. What do I win? 
    Miss: Each Miss titleholder wins a $1,000 scholarship, an official Miss America local crown, and sash (that she may keep after her year), official crown photos sponsored by Danielle Bailey Photography, official Miss Washington headshot sponsored by Janet Lin Photography, entry to the Miss Washington competition, and much more. Click here to learn more.

    Teen: Each Teen titleholder     wins a $300 scholarship, an official Miss America's Teen local crown and sash (that she may keep after her year), official crown photos sponsored by Danielle Bailey Photography, official Miss Washington headshot sponsored by Janet Lin Photography, entry to the Miss Washington Teen competition, and much more. Click here​ to learn more.
     
  3. Are there scholarships for girls who don't win?
    Yes!!! We award several additional scholarships including 1st Runner Up ($500) and 2nd Runner Up ($250) to Miss Apple Valley, 1st Runner up to Miss Yakima County ($500), and 1st Runner Up ($200) and 2nd Runner Up ($100) to our teen titles. That said, the number of runner-ups is heavily dependent on the number of girls competing for each title. Some years we may also award 3rd or even 4th Runner Ups for each of these titles. Furthermore, there are several awards that are independent of placement, including the Miss and Teen academic awards ($100), Miss Congeniality ($50), and the Four Points of the Crown award ($300). Note: Scholarship amounts may vary depending on sponsor contributions.
     
  4. What is the time commitment leading up to the competition?
    The entire competition takes place over two weekends (one rehearsal weekend is optional, but encouraged, for candidates coming from out of town).  The weekend before the competition, there is a full-day rehearsal usually held on Saturday. Additionally, the Friday evening before the competition there is a required rehearsal for all candidates. The Saturday before the competition, interviews and the annual desert fundraisers are conducted. Finally, the competition takes place on Sunday afternoon.
  5. Do I have to wear a swimsuit?
    Miss America abolished the swimsuit competition, but there is a Health and Fitness component in which contestants wear fitness wear and highlight how they keep healthy 
     
  6. What are the areas of competition?
    Miss: Evening Gown, Talent or HERStory, Private Interview, Health and Fitness, and Onstage Conversation. To learn more about these areas of competition click here.

    Teen: Evening Gown, Talent or HERStory, Onstage Conversation, and Health and Fitness. To learn more about these areas of competition click here.
     
  7. I want to compete but I don't have a talent.
    While you may not have a traditional stage talent, many local, state, and national titleholders have had non-traditional talents, including a science project, cultural dances (e.g., solo salsa, hula, Tahitian dancing). and sports-related talents (like jump rope and basketball handling). In addition, HERStory gives contestants an opportunity to talk about how the Miss America program has influenced them. 
     
  8. I want to compete but I can't afford an evening gown.
    There are several places to find affordable gowns, including pageant retail sites (like queenly), pageant Facebook groups, and your local department store. If none of those options work, we have a couple of used gowns on hand that you can borrow.
     
  9. If I win, what is the time commitment?
    Generally, we require each titleholder to make at least 12 appearances of her choosing, including The Miss Washington Competition, during her year. These appearances can include events like parades, service events, other local and state competitions, the list goes on. However, all events should be approved by the executive director. Importantly, these appearances do not need to be made in Yakima County. For example, if you are Miss Yakima County but you go to school in Pullman, you can make appearances in Pullman.
     
  10. If I win, will I compete at Miss Washington?
    Yes! And if you win Miss Washington you will compete at Miss America!
     
  11. Does Miss Washington give additional scholarships?
    Yes! Last year, Miss Washington 2021, earned $24,000 in scholarships. But that's not all. Every young woman who competes at Miss Washington earns at least a $500 scholarship, with prize packages increasing based on placement and other awards.
     
  12. Is Miss Yakima County only open to girls who live in Yakima County?
    Yes. But we offer other titles (Miss Apple Valley and Miss Apple Valley's Teen) that are open to young women living anywhere in the state of Washington.
     
  13. If I go to school/work outside of Yakima, but I'm originally from Yakima County, can I compete for Miss Yakima County?
    Yes, but only if you're permanent residence is in Yakima County. This often is the case for young women who are going to college outside of Yakima County, but whose parents still reside full time in Yakima County.
     
  14. I go to school out of state, but I'm from Yakima County/Washington, can I compete?Yes, but only if you're permanent residence is in Yakima County. This often is the case for young women who are going to college outside of Yakima County, but whose parents still reside full time in Yakima County. We've actually had titleholders attend school in Montana, Utah, and Maryland during their reign.
     
  15. Who can compete for Miss Apple Valley?
    Any young women between the ages of 18 and 28 who resides, works, or goes to school full time in the state of Washington.
     
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