History:
The Miss America Competition began in 1921 as part of an elaborate public festival staged by Atlantic City businessman to extend the summer tourist season. In succeeding years, the Miss America competition evolved into an American tradition with contestants from each of the states competing every September for the coveted title of Miss America. Early on, the talent competition was made part of the competition in addition to the original swimsuit.
In 1945, the Organization began supporting women’s education by offering its first scholarship. Today, the Miss America Organization is one of the nation’s leading achievement programs and the world’s largest provider of scholarship assistance for young women. Each year, the Miss America Organization makes available more than $45 million in cash and tuition scholarship assistance.
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. Once chosen, Miss America and the state titleholders 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, diabetes awareness, character education, literacy, etc.

Preliminary Competition:
To become Miss Texas, a contestant must first win a local competition, a process requiring personal commitment, hard work and talent. More than twelve thousand young women participate each year in the local and state events, culminating in the selection of 53 national finalists who vie for the Miss America title in Las Vegas. It does not cost a cent to compete in the Miss America program – all you need is commitment, perseverance, talent and ambition.
To compete you must: * Be between the ages of 17 and 24 * Be a United States citizen * Meet residency requirements for competing in a certain town or state * Meet character criteria as set forth by the Miss America Organization * Be in reasonably good health to meet the job requirements * Be able to meet the time commitment and job responsibilities as set forth by the local program in which you compete.

Each contestants must raise a minimum of $100 for the Children’s Miracle Network to compete in a Miss Texas local pageant. If you compete in more than one local pageant, you must raise a minimum of $100 for each local pageant you enter up to a total of $400. Once you have raised a total of $400, you are not required to raise more money and can enter as many local pageants for which you qualify in the current pageant year.
Texas State Competition:
The competition was founded in 1936 by a group of civic minded citizens concerned about higher education. The first Miss Texas Scholarship Pageant has evolved into what is recognized today as one of the best organized and well-managed of all state pageants.
Preliminary competition includes Artistic Expression (Talent); Presentation and Community Achievement (Interview); Presence and Poise (Evening Wear); and Lifestyle and Fitness (Swimsuit). The final night of competition includes the Lifestyle and Fitness, Presence and Poise; Peer Respect and Leadership; Artistic Expression; and Top Five Knowledge and Understanding Competitions.
Former Miss Texas-Miss America’s include: * 1942 Jo-Carrol Dennison * 1971 Phyllis George * 1975 Shirley Cothran
Our Miss Texas 2012 is DaNae Couch. She was a finalist in the Miss America 2013 Pageant along with 9 other women. DaNae Couch will give up her title of Miss Texas to a very lucky young lady in July of this year.

National Competition:
The Miss America Organization is one of the nation’s leading achievement programs and the world’s largest provider of scholarship assistance for young women. Last year, the Miss America Organization and its state and local organizations made available more than $45 million in cash and scholarship assistance. This assistance is not just for the handful of young women who become Miss America, but is available to the over 12,000 young women who compete in the state and local competitions as well.
Rich in history and social significance, the Miss America Organization is a not-for-profit organization that has maintained a tradition for many decades of empowering young women to achieve their personal and professional goals, while providing a forum in which to express their opinions, talent and intelligence. Scholarships have been the cornerstone of the Miss America program since 1945 when Bess Myerson was the first Miss America to receive a scholarship from the Organization.
There are all types of scholarships available at the local, state and national levels of competition. Even if you do not win a title you are still eligible for scholarship assistance. The Miss America Organization is the leading provider of scholarships for young women in the world.
After Miss America is selected she embarks on a year-long national speaking tour. As a national spokesperson and advocate, Miss America travels approximately 20,000 miles a month, to a different city every other day, addressing diverse audiences, increasing awareness and promoting her chosen platform.

"Miss America represents the highest ideals. She is a real combination of beauty, grace, and intelligence, artistic and refined. She is a type which the American Girl might well emulate."
Those words were spoken by Atlantic City Chamber of Commerce President Frederick Hickman more than 75 years ago, and they still ring true today. Miss America is a role model to young and old alike, and a spokesperson, using her title to educate millions of Americans on an issue of importance to herself and society at large.

Over the years, Miss America has been intent on making a difference in people's lives through her charitable and community endeavors. Jean Bartel, Miss America 1943, went so far as to use her celebrity in the war effort. She was credited with selling more Series E war bonds than anyone else in the United States - $2.5 million worth of them. While Kate Shindle, Miss America 1998, spent her year of service addressing groups and meeting with federal, state and local public officials on behalf of the HIV/AIDS cause. She even presided over sessions regarding women and AIDS at the 12th World AIDS Conference in Geneva, Switzerland.

Today, Miss America travels approximately 20,000 miles a month, changing her location every 24 to 48 hours. She tours the nation reaching out to support her ideals, committed to helping others. Miss America is more than just a title. She is a woman who reflects a tradition of style, sophistication and service.

Outside Perspective:
As Miss Buna 2010, I met and became friends with several Miss Texas contestants through giving our time at the Texas Children’s hospital, Special Olympics, and other community service events. That same year was the 75th Anniversary of the Miss Texas Pageant, and I had tickets to go! My pageant director, my mom, and I traveled to stay in the Miss Texas complimentary Hotel, have brunch with everyone affiliated with the pageant, and also got to meet past Miss Texas’s and Miss America’s! The highlight of my day was getting to meet Miss America 1971, Phyllis George and Miss America 1975, Shirley Cothran. Mrs. George even gave me a signed copy of her book. I had the chance of meeting and taking pictures with several past titleholders. Later that day we attended the pageant. The stage was decorated beautifully and well showcased. It was an experience I’ll never forget.