GENERAL INFORMATION

 

What is Miss District of Columbia High School America?​​

The District of Columbia Elementary, Jr. High School, High School, and Collegiate America Pageant is a state preliminary pageant. State winners will compete for national titles this summer. Our national competition aims to create wonderful personal and professional opportunities for young women. Our main goal is to offer outstanding high school, junior high, and collegiate girls the chance to participate in a pageant system that upholds the highest moral values.

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Where does the DC state title lead to?

 

Jr. High, High School and Collegiate Divisions:

The girls who become our DC state queens in the Jr. High, High School and Collegiate divisions will go on to compete at the Miss High School America National Pageant in Little Rock, Arkansas in June/July 2027. Their entry fee will be paid for by the VA/DC state director. It is mandatory that they attend Nationals.​

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Elementary Divisions:

The DC Elementary queens are not required to attend the National pageant and may choose to just reign as the DC state queen. However, many of the Elementary queens do go to Nationals. If they choose to attend Nationals, they will get one free night's room at one of the host hotels paid for (room and taxes) as one of their state prizes. 

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When is the deadline to enter?​​​

You must be registered by October 1, 2026 to participate in this year's state pageant.

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ELIGIBILITY & AGE DIVISIONS

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Am I eligible to compete?​​​

 

The titles of Miss District of Columbia Elementary, Jr, High, High School, and Collegiate America are open to residents of DC, Maryland, Delaware, and Pennsylvania. You must live or be enrolled in school in those states to be eligible to compete for the DC titles.

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Contestants must meet the following requirements at the time of registration and if crowned, throughout their reign:

• Assigned female at birth

• Never married (or had an annulled marriage)

• Never been pregnant

• Be of good moral character

• No criminal background or charges currently against them.

• Live in DC, MD, DE, or PA or go to school there (college).

• Pre-K girls must be in a (Part-time or Full time) Pre-K program as of Fall 2026

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How are age divisions determined?​​​

Your grade level as of Fall 2026 determines the division in which you compete at the DC state pageant, not your age.

 

Elementary Divisions

• Pre-K

• Kindergarten

• 1st Grade

• 2nd Grade

• 3rd Grade

• 4th Grade

• 5th Grade

 

Senior Divisions

• Jr. High America: 6th - 8th grade

• High School America: 9th - 11th grade

• Collegiate America: 12th grade or enrolled at a college, university, graduate school, tech/trade school, or beauty college in DC, MD, DE, or PA either in-person or virtually. Collegiate contestants must not be older than 28 years old as of June 1, 2027.

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Is past experience necessary to compete?

No. You don't have to be an experienced pageant girl to compete here. Whether this is your first pageant, your fourth, or your fourteenth pageant, you are welcome here. Our pageant brings girls of all abilities to the stage and each one has the exact same opportunity of winning as the other. We are planning a fabulous weekend for everyone filled with friendly competition, exciting, glamorous outfits,  a fun party the night before finals competition and time spent with old friend and making new friendships alike. Our judges are so friendly and excited to get to know you, so just show them the true you.

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I attend school outside of DC, MD, DE, PA but live permanently in one of those states when not attending school. Can I still compete?

Yes. You are eligible to compete in our pageant if your permanent residence is within DC, MD, DE, or PA. If you do not live in one of those states but are enrolled in an accredited state school in DC, MD, DE, or PA either in person or online, you are still eligible to compete. Please verify with state directors before registering. 

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I am homeschooled. Can I still compete?

Absolutely! When registering, select your current academic level. If you're unsure which division you fall under, feel free to contact us.

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If I am entering the 12th grade, why must I compete in the collegiate division?

The National Pageant date and year of reign determine the divisions. The National Pageant will be held in June of 2027. If the DC Collegiate titleholder wins the national title, they will reign during their freshman year of college. So yes, most of your reign as the DC titleholder would be during your senior year. The judges are aware of these details. 

 

For Virginia elementary winners, do they move up a division at nationals?

At the National pageant, all DC Elementary will compete at Nationals in the grade they will be entering after Nationals. The National Pageant is held in June 2027, so the division they compete in at Nationals is their grade as of Fall 2027. This is because if the DC titleholder wins the national title, they will reign during their next year of school. 

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Do Elementary winners compete at Nationals?

Elementary divisions are not required to compete in the national pageant, however it is encouraged. It's an amazing weekend full of red-carpet moments, excursions, a parade, meeting new friends from across the nation, building self-confidence, improving communication skills and stage presence, and more. Former elementary title holders have shared that their experience at the national level was invaluable, providing them with life skills that benefit them in future, on and off the stage. Taking part in Nationals can be a great opportunity for growth and learning, preparing them for the possibility of competing for a senior division title once of age.

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COMPETITON & SCORING

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What are the phases of competition?

The three required phases of competition are Interview, Fun Fashion, and Evening Gown.

 

What is the score breakdown?

Interview and Evening Gown are each worth 40% of your score. Fun Fashion is worth 20%. 

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Are there optional competitions?

Yes, photogenic is an optional competition. Please refer to our competitions page for more details. It is not a requirement to compete in optionals and it has no bearing on your overall score for the DC state title.​​​​

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Will there be a People's Choice Competition?

Yes! More information coming soon.

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Are there hair and makeup artists at the pageant?

Yes, however, it is not required to have professional hair and makeup. You may get yourself ready if you wish. 

 

If you opt to use professional hair and makeup stylists, we have approved vendors you may seek out. Their contact information can be found on our state pageant info page.

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Are there rules about makeup?

Elementary contestants may not wear makeup during interview, however, they may wear light natural makeup during stage competitions. Junior High, High School, and Collegiate contestants may wear age appropriate makeup for all phases of competition. ​​

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Am I required to stay at the host hotel?

No. All of our official pageant events will be taking place at the Gaines Theater and Freeman Center at Christopher Newport University. No official events will take place at the hotel, so you are not required to stay there, but a block of rooms with the pageant rate will be secured.​

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Will I get my scores after the pageant?

Yes. We will be providing the judge's overall scores and comments after the conclusion of the state. We will not be giving out top score in the division just your individual score. You will receive scores and comments via email. Allow 10-14 days.

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REHEARSALS & BACKSTAGE POLICIES

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Are rehearsals mandatory?

Yes. Unless previously approved, attending all rehearsals is mandatory to ensure each contestant knows what to expect on pageant day.

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What do I wear to rehearsal?

Rehearsal clothes should be comfy and casual. 

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Are rehearsals open to family and friends?

Pre-K and Kindergarten contestants are allowed one parent to sit in on rehearsals. Otherwise, only approved staff and contestants are allowed in rehearsals.

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Can I bring my cell phone to rehearsal?

Yes, but keep in mind that cell phones may only be used at designated times. We kindly ask that you refrain from using your phone while you are actively rehearsing as it is disrespectful to the staff.

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Can we take pictures during rehearsal/backstage?

Yes, we highly encourage you to document your time at our pageant. However, we have a strict no photo policy in the theater during the show or in the dressing rooms to ensure the privacy of our contestants. 

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Will a chaperone/helper be allowed backstage during the pageant?​​​

No. No parent is allowed backstage. We have dressing rooms for contestants to get ready in and 1 female family member/chaperone may assist with outfit changes. Once the contestant is changed, she will be escorted from the dressing room to backstage and that family member needs to take their seat in the theater after outfit changes.

 

No men are allowed in the dressing rooms. We reserve the right to remove any trespassers from the event if this rule is broken.​

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NATIONALS

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Do the District of Columbia Jr. High, High School, and Collegiate winners get their entry fee paid to Nationals?

Yes! Our new Miss DC Jr. High, High School, and Collegiate America winners will have their entry fee paid to Nationals in Little Rock, AR. It is mandatory that Jr. High, High School and Collegiate state queens compete at Nationals.

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Do the District of Columbia Elementary Winners get their entry fee paid to Nationals?

Our DC Elementary winners are not obligated to compete at the national level, so their Nationals fees are not prepaid. We have in the past assisted with hotel fees at Nationals.​

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AUDIENCE & TICKETS

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Do I need a show ticket?

Yes. You must have a physical show ticket/wristband on you to enter the auditorium. Tickets for parents/family are not included with pageant registration and must be purchased separately. Everyone over the age of 3 must have a ticket.

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Can parents and family take pictures in the audience during the pageant?

No. Taking photos or video in the ballroom during competitions is prohibited. We will have a designated photographer and videographer on site who will be capturing you or your child on stage. Photo and video packages are available for purchase on the pageant store page. Breaking this policy is grounds for dismissal from the theater.​​​

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**Coaching girls while they are actively competing on stage is strictly prohibited and may lead to removal from the theater. We kindly ask that you do not coach your child from the audience, whether through gestures or verbal cues. It is essential to adhere to the rules set forth by the director and staff. We appreciate understanding and cooperation. Your child will surprise you on stage, so just let her compete.​​​​​​​​