Miss America's Teen 2026: South Carolina's Tess Ferm wins crown, $30,000 scholarship in Orlando competition

Tess Ferm was crowned Miss America's Teen 2026 on Saturday night, September 6, in Orlando, Florida. The Charleston resident competed as Miss South Carolina's Teen in the national competition held at the Walt Disney Theater.

Ferm, a Porter-Gaud School graduate and freshman at Furman University in Greenville, will receive $30,000 in scholarship money along with her title. The Miss America organization awards the scholarship funds as part of the yearlong reign package.

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Miss America's Teen competition format and prize structure

The teen pageant includes talent, fitness, evening gown and on-stage question segments as part of the Miss America organization's programming. During her reign, Ferm will travel nationally to promote her philanthropic platform, From Fear to Freedom, which focuses on food allergy safety and education initiatives.

The new Miss America's Teen will serve as a role model for young girls and brand ambassador for the Miss America's Teen program throughout 2026.

Top finalists and semi-finalists in Miss America's Teen competition

The top five finalists for Miss America's Teen 2026 were:

• Tess Ferm, Miss South Carolina's Teen
• Sara DeVolld, Miss Alaska's Teen
• Ashton Blake Hart, Miss District of Columbia's Teen
• Delaney Higgins, Miss New Jersey's Teen
• Emma Fossum, Miss Texas' Teen

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The 11 semi-finalists included representatives from Georgia, California, Iowa, Ohio, Oregon, Texas, South Carolina, Alaska, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and the District of Columbia. The Miss America organization awarded scholarship money ranging from $3,000 to $9,000 to the 10 runners-up.

Miss America's Teen 2026 competition details

A total of 52 teens competed for the 2026 title, participating in preliminary events throughout the week before Saturday's finals. All contestants had previously won pageants in their home states, Puerto Rico, or the District of Columbia.

Addison Shoemaker, Miss Alabama's Teen from Vestavia Hills, participated in the finals but did not advance to the top 11. The Briarwood Christian School student has held the Alabama title since March and will continue her reign until spring 2026. Shoemaker performed dance for her talent and promotes Cheering on Children's, an advocacy campaign for child life programs at children's hospitals and Ronald McDonald House Charities.

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Miss America 2026 competition concludes Sunday

The pageant week will conclude Sunday in Orlando with the Miss America 2026 competition. Alabama's Abbie Stockard, the current Miss America, will crown her successor during the finals.

Emma Terry, Miss Alabama 2025, competes among 52 women vying for the Miss America 2026 title.