# 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. 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.
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.

## 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.
On November 22, 2021, it was announced that the competition would be exclusively streamed on Peacock.

### Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic

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.
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.

## 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 |
| Finalists | 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 | Hometown | Talent | "Social Impact Initiative" | Placement | Special awards | Notes |
| Alabama | Lauren Bradford | 21 | Gulf Shores | Violin, "Symphony No. 5, in C minor" by Ludwig van Beethoven | UNPLUG: The Digital Diet Plan | 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 |
| Alaska | Emma Broyles | 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 |
| Arizona | Amber Barto | 23 | Scottsdale | Contemporary Dance, "Dream Chasers" By Future World Music | Leadership through Service: Awareness, Action, Results | | | Previously Miss Arizona's Outstanding Teen 2014 |
| Arkansas | Whitney Williams | 23 | Conway | Baton Twirling, "Conga" by Miami Sound Machine | Heart for the Arts | | | |
| California | Jazmin Avalos | 24 | Garden Grove | Vocal, "Astonishing" from Little Women | Ending Substance Abuse | | | |
| Colorado | Maura Spence-Carroll | 21 | Fort Carson | Vocal “Never Enough” from The Greatest Showman | #EndTheStigma Surrounding Military Mental Healthcare | | | First active-duty soldier to become Miss Colorado |
| Connecticut | Sapna Raghavan | 22 | Ellington | Indian Classical Dance | Overcoming Adversity: Embracing Diversity | | | Previously Miss Connecticut's Outstanding Teen 2015 |
| Delaware | Sophie Phillips | 25 | Bear | Piano | Environmental Justice | | Equity and Justice Finalist | |
| District of Columbia | Andolyn Medina | 25 | Chesapeake, VA | Vocal, "Summertime" By The Paul Smith Quartet | Demand an End: Stop Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking | Top 10 | Jean Bartel Military Awareness Scholarship Top Fundraiser 5th Place | Previously Miss Virginia's Outstanding Teen 2012 Previously District of Columbia Sweetheart 2019 Is an officer in the United States Navy |
| Florida | Leah Roddenberry | 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 and 2015 |
| Georgia | Karson Pennington | 23 | Augusta | Tap Dance | ROAR: Reach Out and Read | | Equity and Justice Scholarship 1st runner-up | |
| Hawaii | Courtney Choy | 25 | Ewa Beach | Hula Auana | Female Empowerment Through Partnership | | | |
| Idaho | Ayriss Torres | 21 | Pocatello | Ballet en Pointe | The Equity Project | | | Civil Affairs Specialist in the United States Army |
| Illinois | Isabelle Hanson | 25 | Glen Ellyn | Violin | The Media Literacy Movement | Top 10 | Preliminary Talent Award | Previously Miss Illinois' Outstanding Teen 2013 |
| Indiana | Braxton Hiser | 24 | Indianapolis | Vocal | Love Thy Neighbor | | | |
| Iowa | Grace Lynn Keller | 23 | Island Lake, IL | Ballet en Pointe | Read to Succeed: Promoting Literacy in Grades K-3 | | | Eligible as a student and recent graduate of the University of Iowa |
| Kansas | Taylor Clark | 21 | St. John | Drums | Band Together: Music Education for All | | | Previously Miss Kansas' Outstanding Teen 2017 |
| Kentucky | Haley Wheeler | 23 | Clay City | Vocal | A Stitch of Hope: Alzheimer's Awareness | | | |
| Louisiana | Julia Claire Williams | 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 |
| 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 | 24 | Northville | Piano | Golden Warriors of Pediatric Cancer - Fight Like a Kid | | STEM Scholarship Winner America's Choice | |
| Minnesota | Gabrielle (Elle) Louise Mark | 25 | Red Wing | Vocal, "Things Are Hard on Dreamers" from stage version of Amelie | The Campaign to Change Direction | | STEM Finalist | |
| Mississippi | Holly Brand | 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 |
| Missouri | Callie Cox | 21 | Mexico | Vocal | People First | | | |
| Montana | Jessica Criss | 24 | Bozeman | Classical Vocal | A Sense of Defense | | | |
| Nebraska | Morgan Hope Holen | 23 | Omaha | Dance, "Climb Ev'ry Mountain" from The Sound of Music | Lead With Your Strengths: The Power of Strengths-based Mentoring | | Women in Business Scholarship 1st runner-up | Daughter of Miss Nebraska 1988, Jodi Sue Miller Holen Previously Miss Nebraska's Outstanding Teen 2014 Previously Distinguished Young Woman of Nebraska 2016 Top 10 at Distinguished Young Woman 2016 |
| Nevada | Macie Tuell | 24 | Gardnerville | Vocal | Memories Matter: Alzheimer's Awareness | | | |
| New Hampshire | Ashley Marsh | 26 | Laconia | Tap Dance | Fit for Life! | | |
| New Jersey | Alyssa Marie Sullivan | 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 |
| New Mexico | Sienna Mascareñas | 20 | Albuquerque | Dance | Girls Get Math: Breaking Gender Stereotypes in STEM | | | Previously Miss New Mexico's Outstanding Teen 2017 |
| New York | Sydney Park | 25 | South Bronx | Original Poetic Prose, "Sit Like a Lady" | You Go Girl! Power Through Sports | 3rd runner-up | Preliminary Talent Award | |
| North Carolina | Carli Batson | 21 | Wilmington | Dance | Carolina Cares | | Top Fundraiser 3rd Place | |
| North Dakota | Reyna Bergstrom | 25 | Fargo | Vocal | The Influencer Era: Impact Beyond the Screen | | | |
| Ohio | Lora Current | 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 | 23 | Oklahoma City | Vocal, “Ev'ry Night at Seven” from 1951 MGM film Royal Wedding | Inclusion for all Abilities | | | |
| Oregon | Abigail Hayes | 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 | 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 | 21 | Barrington | Piano | Supporting Small Business: Empowering Women through Ownership and Entrepreneurship | | | |
| South Carolina | Julia Herrin | 20 | Manning | Piano | #RealNotPerfect | | Top Fundraiser 1st Place | |
| South Dakota | Kaitlin O'Neill | 24 | Groton | Ballet | Bloom: Healthy Mind, Healthy Body, Healthy You | | | |
| Tennessee | Tally Bevis | 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 | 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 |
| Utah | Sasha Sloan | 23 | North Salt Lake | Vocal, "That's Life" By Frank Sinatra | RISE for Refugees: Refugee Inclusivity, Support, and Education | Top 10 | Equity and Justice Scholarship Winner Jean Bartel Social Impact Initiative Scholarship 1st runner-up Women in Business Finalist | |
| Vermont | Danielle Morse | 22 | New Haven | Speed Painting | Championing for the UVM Children's Hospital | | STEM Finalist | |
| Virginia | Tatum Sheppard | 22 | Milan, TN | Vocal, "Don't Forget Me" By Katherine McPhee. From Smash. | Mentoring Matters | | | Daughter of Miss America 1987 Kellye Cash |
| Washington | Maddie Louder | 23 | Seattle | Dance | Feeding Hope: Eating Disorder Awareness | | | |
| West Virginia | Jaelyn Wratchford | 20 | Martinsburg | Original Monologue | Investing in Our Future: The Impact of Youth Empowerment | | | |
| Wisconsin | Jennifer Marie Schmidt | 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 | 21 | Sheridan | Original Monologue | Kids Unplugged: Encouraging Our Youth to Explore Their World Without Technology | | | |