FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
[WEST PALM BEACH, FL] August 30, 2026 — The Miss America Organization is thrilled to announce the distinguished Preliminary Judging Panels for both Miss America and Miss America’s Teen. Bringing together accomplished leaders, industry professionals, entertainers, and influential voices from across the country, these esteemed judges will play a critical role in evaluating this year’s delegates as they compete for the opportunity to serve as the 99th Miss America and the 21st Miss America’s Teen.
The Miss America Preliminary Judging Panel includes Nicole Sexton, Jennifer Wahlig, Stevan Jackson, Tim Carter, Charles Harbison, Monica Rowe, and Shannon Watkins.
The Miss America’s Teen Preliminary Judging Panel includes Crystal Foote, Albert Thompson, Andrés Rincón, Courtney Harris, Jennifer Lynch, Rachel Coxton, and Kendall Winnaman.
Over the course of the preliminary competitions, the judges will have the extraordinary responsibility of evaluating each delegate with fairness, integrity, and an appreciation for the unique qualities she brings to the Miss America and Miss America’s Teen stages. Their consideration of each delegate will help determine the semifinalists who will continue their journey toward the crowns — and, ultimately, the women who will carry the Miss America and Miss America’s Teen legacies forward.
The upcoming Miss America Competition will take place August 28–September 6, 2026, in West Palm Beach, Florida, in The Palm Beaches — known as “America’s First Resort Destination®” — with key events hosted at the Palm Beach County
Convention Center, the Raymond F. Kravis Center for the Performing Arts, and the Hilton West Palm Beach.
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About Miss America’s Scholarship Foundation Inc. (MASF):
Miss America is the nation’s leading empowerment and service platform for young women, supporting their personal and professional growth while inspiring them to serve as positive role models in their communities. Since 1921, Miss America has been dedicated to its mission of
“Empowering Women to Lead,” engaging thousands of young women nationwide, ages 14-28, as local and state brand ambassadors committed to community service.
Through the Miss America’s Scholarship Foundation Inc., a 501(c)(3), the program awards the largest amount of scholarships to women in America.