Meet the 52 women competing to be the next Miss America

Emma Terry, 22, graduated from the University of Alabama with a bachelor's and master's degree in accounting.

Terry has raised more than $67,000 for her Miss America platform, Stomping Out ALS. Her late grandfather, who died in 2024, had the neurodegenerative disease.

According to her Miss America bio, the pageant queen is also an amateur zinnia gardener and "makes a mean avocado toast."

Suparat Prasannet, 27, is a business and data analytics student at the University of Alaska, Anchorage. She is also an IT coordinator for an environmental nonprofit and previously worked as a manager for an immigration law firm.

Prasannet is an advocate for expanding education equity for children.

The pageant queen has also been dancing since she was 3 years old and once appeared on "America's Got Talent."

Tiffany Ellington, 25, graduated summa cum laude from Arizona State University. According to Miss Arizona's Instagram, she used her pageant scholarship money to earn an MBA from Western New Mexico University.

Ellington works as a marketing executive in the construction industry and serves on the board of the nonprofit Kids Need to Read.

The pageant queen is also a ventriloquist and loves sewing and designing clothes.

Kennedy Holland, 20, is a senior at the University of Central Arkansas, where she's pursuing a bachelor's degree in communication. She plans to earn a master's in nonprofit management.

Holland is the founder of the nonprofit Compassion Legacy, which advocates for making public playgrounds more inclusive and accessible for children with disabilities.

Rachel Axt, 24, is pursuing a master's degree from National University. Axt is also a special education teacher with a background in child development research.

The pageant queen is a passionate autism advocate. According to her Miss America bio, Axt created "The ABCs of Acceptance" to help "foster autism acceptance through real-life stories."

Gabrielle Gramont, 22, graduated from Colorado State University with degrees in sports medicine and clinical psychology. She is now pursuing a master's in sports performance psychology and a doctorate in sports medicine.

A former college hockey athlete, Gramont is using her platform to advocate for "greater access to mental health support through sports," according to her Miss America bio.

Cayla Kumar, 22, has a bachelor's degree in biochemistry, cell, and molecular biology from the University of Scranton and a master's degree in health science from Quinnipiac University.

Kumar is an aspiring pediatric oncologist. She is currently raising awareness for pediatric cancer through her platform, Be the Cure: The Gold Ribbon Project.

The pageant queen is also a classically trained Bollywood dancer.

Hailey Mack, 18, is a civil engineering student at the University of Delaware. She hopes to earn a master's degree in structural engineering.

Mack advocates for autism awareness and inclusive education. She is using her Miss America platform, Shoot for the Stars, to empower women in STEM fields.

Katie Wadman, 24, has degrees in psychology and journalism from the University of Iowa. She moved to the nation's capital to serve as deputy press secretary for the US Senate. The pageant queen aspires to be the White House press secretary someday.

Waldman's Miss America initiative is Coffee and Conversation: Unifying the United States of America. She hopes to "inspire a generation to value unity over division," according to her Miss America bio.

Paris Richardson, 23, has a bachelor's degree in public health and a master's degree in health administration from the University of Florida. Richardson was a UF cheerleader and performed at the 2025 men's NCAA basketball tournament.

Richardson is using her Miss America initiative, C.R.O.W.N. of Health, to advocate for health equity across the state. She has partnered with schools, wellness events, and PBS Kids.

Audrey Kittila, 22, is pursuing a master's degree in communication sciences and disorders from the University of Georgia. She plans to become a speech pathologist.

Kittila's Miss America initiative is Education for All. She is an advocate for using literacy and education resources to reduce school dropout rates in Georgia.

The pageant queen is also a classically trained violinist and pianist.

Emalia Dalire, 19, graduated from high school at 16 and earned her bachelor's degree in business from the University of Hawai'i when she was 19.

Dalire is the social media manager for KHOOL, a hula dance school with locations in Hawaii, California, and Japan.

The pageant queen wants to use hula dance to help build "confidence and resilience in young leaders through mentorship and cultural identity," according to her Miss America bio.

Ellie Daniels, 18, is dually enrolled at the College of Eastern Idaho and Grand Canyon University, where she is studying nursing. She also works as a certified nursing assistant.

Daniels hopes to become a nurse practitioner and specialize in women's and family health, according to her Miss Idaho bio.

A longtime dancer, the pageant queen also works as a dance coach and mentor for young performers.

Nitsaniyah Fitch, 26, has a degree in public policy from the University of Illinois, Chicago. She is preparing to pursue an MBA focused on organizational leadership and social impact investing.

Fitch currently works as a senior associate at UNICEF, the United Nations agency dedicated to providing humanitarian aid to children around the world.

The pageant queen is also dedicated to mentorship and leadership for women and girls.

Kinley Shoemaker, 20, is pursuing a degree in strategic communications from Butler University, as well as double minors in journalism and creative media.

Shoemaker's Miss America initiative, Rise Then Shine, is dedicated to "overcoming trauma through empowerment." In an Instagram post, Shoemaker said she was the victim of a violent crime and had to navigate the criminal justice system at the age of 15.

"If you told that girl she would one day be interviewing for Miss America, she wouldn't have thought it to be possible," Shoemaker wrote. "From feeling broken, powerless, and afraid of life ahead, I am now living proof that resilience can rewrite your story."

Lydia Fisher, 22, has a bachelor's degree in biology from the University of Alabama.

She is an award-winning undergraduate researcher and certified nursing assistant who plans to go to medical school.

Through her Miss America initiative, Don't Skip a Beat, Fisher is promoting cardiovascular health education and advocacy.

Emily Rugg, 26, used her bachelor's degree in business management and MBA to help her career take flight.

She is a program manager at Textron Aviation, where she works with youth by managing the company's internship program and school outreach.

Rugg also launched the program From Gap to Gain, which helps people develop professional skills.

Ariana Rodriguez, 20, was part of the foster care system in her childhood, and the experience pushed her to help those in the same position.

She advocates for foster care reform, and she created The Lucky Ones Foundation at her university to support children who are aging out of the system.

Rodriguez is also studying social work and psychology at the University of Kentucky.

Gabrelle McLeod, 20, loves being active. She recently ran a 5K without training.

McLeod hopes to use her passion for exercise in her career. She is an exercise science major at the University of Louisiana Monroe, aiming to become a sports athletic trainer.

She also created the platform Head in the Game to support kids participating in sports.

Paige Lessard, 25, is a student at Southern New Hampshire University, where she studies business administration.

Lessard hopes to get a master's degree after she completes her undergraduate degree.

She also ensured she could get her education debt-free through multiple scholarships.

Maria Derisavi, 22, was born in Iran and immigrated to the US when she was 9 years old.

She later attended the University of Alabama, where she earned her bachelor's in international relations and her master's in public administration.

Derisavi created Seize Your Opportunities, a platform to help low-income students succeed.

Khailah Griffin, 26, is a master's student at Brown University, where she studies medical sciences.

Griffin, who was the captain of her Division 1 track and field team at Northeastern University, where she got her undergraduate degree, previously worked as an interventional cardiology researcher at Massachusetts General Hospital. She hopes to pursue her MD in the future.

Griffin's platform, The Purple Blueprint, supports Americans who are unhoused.

Hannah Palmer, 24, became a third-grade teacher after she earned her bachelor's degree in elementary education at Eastern Michigan University.

With hopes of pursuing a master's degree in curriculum and instruction, Palmer created The Sunflower Project to provide students with social-emotional learning resources.

She's also a prolific button collector, boasting buttons of all different sizes, colors, and shapes in her collection.

Emma Vrieze, 20, studies nursing at Minnesota State University Moorhead and is working as a nursing assistant while pursuing her degree.

Once she graduates, Vrieze hopes to work in an emergency room and eventually become a nurse practitioner.

She is also passionate about drowning prevention. To educate others in Minnesota about it, she created the program Swim with Knowledge, Water Safety.

Anna Leah Jolly, 23, spent her early childhood at an orphanage in Ukraine. She moved to the US after she was adopted when she was 11, adapting to life in a new country.

A student at Belhaven University, Jolly's passion in life is dance. She is a ballerina and the owner of Studio A Dance Company, which she hopes to keep growing. Jolly also published the children's book "Theodore: The Little Bear with Big Feelings" in May 2025.

She inspires others to achieve their goals through her platform, Limitless.

Courtney Rowe, 23, is a multimedia journalist and morning news anchor on KQTV. She got her degree in broadcast journalism from Northwest Missouri State University.

After surviving domestic violence, Rowe became passionate about helping others in the same position, sharing prevention awareness and supporting other victims.

In addition to her news work, Rowe appeared in Hallmark's "Holiday Touchdown: A Chiefs Love Story."

Haley Tate, 25, is a student at the University of Montana. She's working toward a major in communications and a minor in psychology.

While she hopes to become a physician assistant after graduating, Tate currently works as a surgical assistant at an oral and maxillofacial surgery center.

She's also using her role as Miss Montana to be an advocate for people who have breast cancer. Inspired by her mother's experience with the disease, the Miss America hopeful created an initiative — EmpowHer: Educate. Embrace. Encourage. — that works with cancer-support organizations.

Makinzie Gregory, 25, is passionate about health and wellness. She works as an acute-care physical therapist assistant and is pursuing a degree in health sciences.

Through her work as Miss Nebraska, she hopes to increase literacy around health-related topics and encourage proactive wellness.

Previously, at age 11, Gregory earned a black belt in taekwondo.

Abigail Bachman, 27, earned a doctorate in occupational therapy and now serves as the state director for the Nevada chapter of the Miss Amazing nonprofit. The organization works to empower girls and women with disabilities.

As Miss Nevada, Bachman has a similar goal.

Inspired by her cousin, Jake, she started the Advancing Opportunities for the Disability Community initiative, which aims to do exactly that.

Xanthi Russell, 23, has spent seven years in the Miss America Scholarship Program — and she's earned $60,000 in scholarships throughout.

She's also a lifelong member of 4H, an educational youth organization.

Russell previously earned a degree in paralegal studies.

Belle Nicholas, 26, is in her third year of graduate school to earn a doctorate in clinical psychology.

She's personally experienced anxiety and depression, and is now an advocate for mental-health support in schools. She does so through her initiative, Shout Our Struggle.

She previously earned a degree in musical theater and is a classically trained lyric soprano.

Madyson Kettler, 20, is a professional dancer and instructor with the New Mexico Ballet Company.

She's also a student and has dreams of becoming a physical therapist who works with geriatric patients.

As Miss New Mexico, Kettler is aiming to inspire multiple generations and encourage older people to stay active.

Cassie Donegan, 27, holds a few titles.

She's the COO of a female-founded company, a member of the Actors' Equity Association, and the founder of The Arts Legacy Foundation, which offers three scholarships she started.

Donegan also has a background in musical theater and is passionate about making the arts more accessible around the world.

Sophia Kellstrom, 25, founded a hunger-relief nonprofit called Pennies for Heaven 19 years ago and has been running it ever since.

That's one of the reasons her personal motto is "helping is my superpower," according to her Miss America bio.

Kellstrom is also a professional emcee, the author of a children's book, and the founder of the Make A Change initiative, which inspires young people to volunteer with hunger-relief efforts.

Kennedy DeLap, 24, graduated magna cum laude with a bachelor's degree in journalism and a master's degree in environmental journalism.

She now works for a local publication, North Dakota Living, as a photojournalist.

DeLap is also an avid traveler who's visited four continents, 17 countries, and 46 states so far.

Olivia Fosson, 24, has big dreams. She's currently in law school and aims to work as an attorney within the emerging tech side of venture capital.

She's also eager to dismantle the societal norms that surround body image.

She hosts body-empowerment workshops for all ages and helps attendees create sustainable habits that celebrate their bodies as they are.

Tessa Dorrell, 22, is deeply inspired by her family.

Not only is she a twin, but she's also followed in her mother's career footsteps.

Dorrell graduated with a degree in sports media and now runs the Partners Club — Empowering Education initiative. The latter connects special-needs students with peers, inspired by her mother's work as a middle-school counselor.

Mya Cash, 23, is both a student of ministry leadership and a director of ballet at a professional dance company.

A classically trained dancer, Cash had previously been accepted into 20 elite ballet programs.

Cash is also an advocate for lupus via her initiative Leaps for Lupus, which she created after her mother was diagnosed with the autoimmune disease.

Victoria Vespico, 25, has been a Girl Scout for 21 years, and her experience has inspired her to empower others.

She's pursuing a master's degree in education, and she runs an initiative called Sustainability Starts With You.

The latter offers a K-12 curriculum that inspires young people to act for the environment.

Diann Reyes Basilio, 19, wants future generations to be financially literate.

That's why she created Bridge to Business, a platform that teaches financial skills to young people.

Basilio is also a dancer.

Alexia Rodrigues, 24, was once in foster care. Now, she's an Army National Guard veteran.

She served three years on duty, including a deployment to Guantánamo Bay.

Most recently, Rodrigues launched Foster Hope: Adopt a Dream, a program that provides higher education to foster youth.

Sarah Kay Wren, 24, is extremely passionate about heart health.

She works as a school engagement director for the American Heart Association, has raised $294,000 for more than 100 schools, and has also led efforts to make CPR education and AEDs more accessible.

Her platform, which also encourages cardiovascular health, is called Heart Strong.

Jamee Kattner, 21, is a classically trained musician who wants to share her love of art with the world.

She graduated with a degree in music education and has since founded Melodies of Joy: Music's Power to Inspire.

The initiative promotes music and art education for youths.

Zoe Scheiderich, 22, is a classically trained dancer working toward a career as a sports broadcaster.

She earned $17,000 in scholarships while studying, and now leads a program called Triple E — Elevating, Empowering, and Equipping Women.

The program does just that via faith-based outreach and legislative advocacy.

Sadie Schiermeyer, 22, isn't the first Miss Texas in her family. Her mother held the role years before her.

She recently graduated summa cum laude with a degree in psychology and will now pursue her master's degree in professional counseling.

Schiermeyer also started an initiative called Healthier Texas — How Are You, Really? It promotes holistic health and preventative care.

Jordyn Bristol, 26, regularly works with legislators and nonprofit organizations to help combat food insecurity.

She holds a bachelor's degree in public relations and manages social-media accounts for 22 clients.

In addition to being Miss Utah, Bristol is also an MBA candidate.

Sophia Parker, 27, is passionate about nature.

She codirects a wildlife rescue organization with her mother and is the founder of an initiative called Wildlife Rehabilitation and Stewardship of the Natural World.

Those aren't her only roles, though. Parker also serves as a sergeant within the Vermont Army National Guard, and she works as a nurse in a local emergency room.

Madison Whitbeck, 20, has a major long-term goal: to win a Tony award that names her the best actress in a musical.

She's working to earn a degree in commercial voice and is also studying performance and music business.

Her platform, called Arts For All, is focused on funding accessible and affordable arts education for children across the country.

Amber Pike, 24, is on her way to earning a Ph.D. in marketing.

All the while, she's serving as Miss Washington and running an initiative called Asthma Awareness: Strong Lungs, Strong Life. It raises awareness for the medical condition and provides resources to those in need.

For fun, Pike enjoys playing violin, participating in trivia contests, and drinking Diet Coke.

Courtney Bearer, 23, has turned her passion for dance and hula hooping into a way to give back to others.

After graduating from West Virginia University, where she was president of the dance team, Bearer launched Connecting With Cardio, which promotes cardiovascular wellness through education and tips on healthy living, including hooping.

Bearer also works at an advertising agency.

Willow Newell, 22, might be competing in Miss America, but she's a theater kid at heart. She graduated from Carthage College with a degree in musical theater.

Newell is furthering her theater education by pursuing a master's in dramatic writing.

She also hopes to use theater to give back to others, creating inclusive arts opportunities that help build communities.

Anna-Claire Musick, 27, is a therapist, helping adolescents and adults with issues like substance abuse, trauma, and domestic violence in Cheyenne, Wyoming.

Musick has a master's degree in clinical mental-health counseling and a bachelor's degree in communications and public relations.

She also created the platform Live Well, which helps youth with their mental health to try to keep them out of the juvenile justice system.