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.^[1][3] 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.^[4]

Miss America 2022
Date	December 16, 2021
Presenters	Nina Davuluri Ericka Dunlap
Venue	Mohegan Sun, Uncasville, Connecticut[1]
Broadcaster	Peacock
Entrants	50
Placements	10
Withdrawals	Maine[a]
Winner	Emma Broyles Alaska
← 2020 2023 →

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.^[5]

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.^[1]

On November 22, 2021, it was announced that the competition would be exclusively streamed on Peacock.^[6]

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic

See also: COVID-19 pandemic in the United States and Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on television in the United States

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.^{[7][8][9][10]}

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 (including Montana) 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.^[2]

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

Placement	Contestant
Miss America 2022	Alaska – Emma Broyles
1st Runner-Up	Alabama – Lauren Bradford
2nd Runner-Up	Massachusetts – Elizabeth Pierre
3rd Runner-Up	New York – Sydney Park
4th Runner-Up	Oregon – Abigail Hayes
Top 10	District of Columbia – Andolyn Medina Florida – Leah Roddenberry Illinois – Isabelle Hanson Texas – Mallory Fuller Utah – Sasha Sloan

Preliminary awards

Awards	Candidates
On Stage Interview (Social Impact Pitch)	Alaska – Emma Broyles Texas – Mallory Fuller
Talent	Illinois – Isabelle Hanson New York – Sydney Park

Equity and Justice Scholarship awards

Results	Contestant
Winner	Utah – Sasha Sloan
1st runner-up	Georgia – Karson Pennington
Finalists	Delaware – Sophie Phillips Florida – Leah Roddenberry Pennsylvania – Meghan Sinisi

Forever Miss America Scholarship

Results	Contestant
Winner	Tennessee – Tally Bevis

Jean Bartel Military Awareness Scholarship

Results	Contestant
Winner	District of Columbia – Andolyn Medina

Jean Bartel Social Impact Initiative Scholarship

Results	Contestant	Social Impact Pitch
Winner	Alabama – Lauren Bradford	UNPLUG: The Digital Diet Plan
1st runner-up	Utah – Sasha Sloan	RISE for Refugees: Refugee Inclusivity, Support, and Education
2nd runner-up	New Jersey – Alyssa Sullivan	Peer Challenge Commit2Character
Finalists	Florida – Leah Roddenberry	Be a LeadHER: Ignite the Spark Within
	Mississippi – Holly Brand	Volunteerism: If You See a Need, Take the Lead

South Dakota University STEM Scholarship

Results	Contestant
Winner	Alabama – Lauren Bradford

STEM Scholarship

Results	Contestant
Winner	Michigan – Vivian Zhong
1st runner-up	Louisiana – Julia Claire Williams
2nd runner-up	Wisconsin – Jennifer Schmidt
Finalists	Minnesota – Elle Mark Vermont – Danielle Morse

Top Fundraisers

Results	Contestant
Winner	South Carolina – Julia Herrin
1st runner-up	Alabama – Lauren Bradford
2nd runner-up	North Carolina – Carli Batson
3rd runner-up	Tennessee – Tally Bevis
4th runner-up	District of Columbia – Andolyn Medina

Women in Business Scholarship

Results	Contestant
Winner	Pennsylvania – Meghan Sinisi
1st runner-up	Nebraska – Morgan Holen
2nd runner-up	Tennessee – Tally Bevis
Finalists	Alabama – Lauren Bradford Utah – Sasha Sloan

Other awards

Awards	Contestant(s)
Miss Congeniality	Maine – Mariah Larocque
America's Choice	Michigan – Vivian Zhong
Non-Finalist Talent	Arizona -- Amber Barto Arkansas -- Whitney Williams Michigan – Vivian Zhong Mississippi – Holly Brand Nebraska – Morgan Holen

Candidates

51 state or district titleholders participated.

•   Declared as winner
•   Ended as a runner-up
•   Ended as a finalist or semi-finalist

State or district	Name	Age[b]	Hometown	Talent	"Social Impact Initiative"	Placement	Special awards	Notes
Alabama	Lauren Bradford[11]	21	Gulf Shores	Violin, "Symphony No. 5, in C minor" by Ludwig van Beethoven	UNPLUG: The Digital Diet Plan[11]	1st runner-up	Jean 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[c][12]
Alaska	Emma Broyles[13]	20	Anchorage	Vocal, “Let Me Be Your Star” from TV show Smash	Building Community Through Special Olympics	Miss America 2022	Preliminary Social Impact Pitch Award	Previously Miss Alaska's Outstanding Teen 2017[14]
Arizona	Amber Barto[15]	23	Scottsdale	Contemporary Dance, "Dream Chasers" By Future World Music	Leadership through Service: Awareness, Action, Results			Previously Miss Arizona's Outstanding Teen 2014[16]
Arkansas	Whitney Williams[17]	23	Conway	Baton Twirling, "Conga" by Miami Sound Machine	Heart for the Arts[18]
California	Jazmin Avalos[19]	24	Garden Grove	Vocal, "Astonishing" from Little Women	Ending Substance Abuse
Colorado	Maura Spence-Carroll[20]	21	Fort Carson	Vocal “Never Enough” from The Greatest Showman	#EndTheStigma Surrounding Military Mental Healthcare[citation needed]			First active-duty soldier to become Miss Colorado[20]
Connecticut	Sapna Raghavan[21]	22	Ellington	Indian Classical Dance	Overcoming Adversity: Embracing Diversity[21]			Previously Miss Connecticut's Outstanding Teen 2015[22]
Delaware	Sophie Phillips[23]	25	Bear	Piano	Environmental Justice		Equity and Justice Finalist
District of Columbia	Andolyn Medina[24]	25	Chesapeake, VA	Vocal, "Summertime" By The Paul Smith Quartet	Demand an End: Stop Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking[citation needed]	Top 10	Jean Bartel Military Awareness Scholarship Top Fundraiser 5th Place	Previously Miss Virginia's Outstanding Teen 2012[25] Previously District of Columbia Sweetheart 2019 Is an officer in the United States Navy
Florida	Leah Roddenberry[26]	22	Bradenton	Dance	Be a LeadHER: Ignite the Spark Within	Top 10	Equity and Justice Finalist Jean Bartel Social Impact Initiative Finalist	Previously Miss Florida's Outstanding Teen 2013[d][27] and 2015[28]
Georgia	Karson Pennington[29]	23	Augusta	Tap Dance	ROAR: Reach Out and Read		Equity and Justice Scholarship 1st runner-up
Hawaii	Courtney Choy[30]	25	Ewa Beach	Hula Auana	Female Empowerment Through Partnership[30]
Idaho	Ayriss Torres[31]	21	Pocatello	Ballet en Pointe	The Equity Project			Civil Affairs Specialist in the United States Army[31]
Illinois	Isabelle Hanson[32]	25	Glen Ellyn	Violin	The Media Literacy Movement	Top 10	Preliminary Talent Award	Previously Miss Illinois' Outstanding Teen 2013[33]
Indiana	Braxton Hiser[34]	24	Indianapolis	Vocal	Love Thy Neighbor[35]
Iowa	Grace Lynn Keller[36]	23	Island Lake, IL	Ballet en Pointe	Read to Succeed: Promoting Literacy in Grades K-3[36]			Eligible as a student and recent graduate of the University of Iowa[36]
Kansas	Taylor Clark[37]	21	St. John	Drums	Band Together: Music Education for All			Previously Miss Kansas' Outstanding Teen 2017[38]
Kentucky	Haley Wheeler[39]	23	Clay City	Vocal	A Stitch of Hope: Alzheimer's Awareness
Louisiana	Julia Claire Williams[40]	22	Monroe	Dance	Find your FREDDY: Fostering Rewarding Engagements with Disabled and Disadvantaged Youth		STEM Scholarship 1st runner-up	Previously Miss Louisiana's Outstanding Teen 2015[41]
Maine	Mariah Larocque	25	Portland	Vocal	A Survivors Purpose: End Child Sexual Abuse	Withdrew prior to the final competition after tested positive from COVID-19	Miss Congeniality
Maryland	Lydia Sohn	25	Hanover	Cello	Artworks: Promoting Arts Integration in Education and Engagement in Communities
Massachusetts	Elizabeth Pierre	23	North Cambridge	Dance	We Hear You: Empowering Youth Voices	2nd runner-up
Michigan	Vivian Zhong[42]	24	Northville	Piano	Golden Warriors of Pediatric Cancer - Fight Like a Kid		STEM Scholarship Winner America's Choice
Minnesota	Gabrielle (Elle) Louise Mark[43]	25	Red Wing	Vocal, "Things Are Hard on Dreamers" from stage version of Amelie	The Campaign to Change Direction		STEM Finalist
Mississippi	Holly Brand[44]	21	Meridian	Vocal	Volunteerism: If You See a Need, Take the Lead		Jean Bartel Social Impact Initiative Finalist	Previously Miss Mississippi's Outstanding Teen 2017[45]
Missouri	Callie Cox[46]	21	Mexico	Vocal	People First
Montana	Jessica Criss[47]	24	Bozeman	Classical Vocal	A Sense of Defense[citation needed]
Nebraska	Morgan Hope Holen[48]	23	Omaha	Dance, "Climb Ev'ry Mountain" from The Sound of Music	Lead With Your Strengths: The Power of Strengths-based Mentoring[48]		Women in Business Scholarship 1st runner-up	Daughter of Miss Nebraska 1988, Jodi Sue Miller Holen[49] Previously Miss Nebraska's Outstanding Teen 2014[49] Previously Distinguished Young Woman of Nebraska 2016[50] Top 10 at Distinguished Young Woman 2016[50]
Nevada	Macie Tuell[51]	24	Gardnerville	Vocal	Memories Matter: Alzheimer's Awareness
New Hampshire	Ashley Marsh[52]	26	Laconia	Tap Dance	Fit for Life![citation needed]
New Jersey	Alyssa Marie Sullivan[53]	25	Cape May Court House	Vocal	Peer Challenge Commit2Character		Jean Bartel Social Impact Initiative Scholarship 2nd runner-up	Previously Miss New Jersey's Outstanding Teen 2013[citation needed]
New Mexico	Sienna Mascareñas[citation needed]	20	Albuquerque	Dance	Girls Get Math: Breaking Gender Stereotypes in STEM[citation needed]			Previously Miss New Mexico's Outstanding Teen 2017[54]
New York	Sydney Park[55]	25	South Bronx	Original Poetic Prose, "Sit Like a Lady"	You Go Girl! Power Through Sports[citation needed]	3rd runner-up	Preliminary Talent Award
North Carolina	Carli Batson[56]	21	Wilmington	Dance	Carolina Cares[56]		Top Fundraiser 3rd Place
North Dakota	Reyna Bergstrom[57]	25	Fargo	Vocal	The Influencer Era: Impact Beyond the Screen[57]
Ohio	Lora Current[58]	20	Rosewood	Jazz Dance, “Holding Out for a Hero” by Bonnie Tyler	ReadOn: Empowering Literacy, Learning, and Leadership			Previously Ohio Fair's Queen 2019
Oklahoma	Ashleigh Robinson[59]	23	Oklahoma City	Vocal, “Ev'ry Night at Seven” from 1951 MGM film Royal Wedding	Inclusion for all Abilities[59]
Oregon	Abigail Hayes[60]	20	Damascus	Vocal and Piano, "If I Ain't Got You" by Alicia Keys	Generation Youth: Tomorrow's Leaders	4th runner-up
Pennsylvania	Meghan Sinisi[61]	26	Altoona	Baton Twirling, "River Deep – Mountain High" by Ike & Tina Turner	Autism Awareness and Acceptance		Equity and Justice Finalist Women in Business Scholarship Winner
Rhode Island	Leigh Payne[62]	21	Barrington	Piano	Supporting Small Business: Empowering Women through Ownership and Entrepreneurship[citation needed]
South Carolina	Julia Herrin[63]	20	Manning	Piano	#RealNotPerfect		Top Fundraiser 1st Place
South Dakota	Kaitlin O'Neill[64]	24	Groton	Ballet	Bloom: Healthy Mind, Healthy Body, Healthy You[64]
Tennessee	Tally Bevis[65]	24	Springfield	Vocal	Vote With a Vision		Forever Miss America Scholarship Top Fundraiser 4th Place Women in Business Scholarship 2nd runner-up
Texas	Mallory Fuller[66]	23	Fairfield	Fiddle	The Happy Heart Project	Top 10	Preliminary Social Impact Pitch Award	Younger sister of Miss Texas' Outstanding Teen 2010 and Miss Texas 2018, Madison Fuller[67]
Utah	Sasha Sloan[68]	23	North Salt Lake	Vocal, "That's Life" By Frank Sinatra	RISE for Refugees: Refugee Inclusivity, Support, and Education[68]	Top 10	Equity and Justice Scholarship Winner Jean Bartel Social Impact Initiative Scholarship 1st runner-up Women in Business Finalist
Vermont	Danielle Morse[69]	22	New Haven	Speed Painting	Championing for the UVM Children's Hospital[69]		STEM Finalist
Virginia	Tatum Sheppard[70]	22	Milan, TN	Vocal, "Don't Forget Me" By Katherine McPhee. From Smash.	Mentoring Matters			Daughter of Miss America 1987 Kellye Cash[70]
Washington	Maddie Louder[71]	23	Seattle	Dance	Feeding Hope: Eating Disorder Awareness
West Virginia	Jaelyn Wratchford[72]	20	Martinsburg	Original Monologue	Investing in Our Future: The Impact of Youth Empowerment[72]
Wisconsin	Jennifer Marie Schmidt[73]	25	Mount Pleasant	Jazz Dance, "Hit Me with a Hot Note and Watch Me Bounce" from the Duke Ellington-based revue Sophisticated Ladies	Diabetes, You Have the Control		STEM Scholarship 2nd runner-up
Wyoming	Mikkayla DeBolt[74]	21	Sheridan	Original Monologue	Kids Unplugged: Encouraging Our Youth to Explore Their World Without Technology

Notes

1. Miss Maine Mariah Larocque had tested positive from COVID-19 prior to the final competition, so she was isolated at the hotel room.^[2]
2. Ages at the time of national competition
3. Appointed the state title after Jessica Baeder crowned Miss America's Outstanding Teen 2018
4. Appointed the state title after Leah Sykes crowned Miss America's Outstanding Teen 2014