What is the Platform?

In 1989, the Miss America Organization founded the platform concept, which requires each contestant to choose an issue about which she cares deeply and that is of relevance to our country. With the launching of Miss America's Outstanding Teen, our nonprofit organization has elected to require the same for our teen students. We of course understand that because the teen students are younger their resumes may not contain less extensive community service work and volunteerism than the resumes of their big sisters. Once chosen, Miss America's Outstanding Teen and the state titleholders will use their stature to address community service organizations, business and civic leaders, the media and others about their platform issues. Since 1989, Miss America titleholders have appeared at thousands of public speaking engagements and charitable events to generate awareness for a variety of causes, including homelessness, HIV/AIDS prevention, domestic violence prevention, diabetes awareness, character education, literacy, etc. This again is a wonderful opportunity for teens to get off on a great resume-building year of service. The closer we emulate our big sister's program, the closer the teens will be to graduating right into the Miss America competition with a competitive edge.