The Miss Hastings Scholarship Program (MHSP) is thrilled to announce the return of the Miss Hastings Scholarship Competition! In May 2020, the Miss America Organization (MAO) postponed all of its competitions for a year in response to the COVID-19 epidemic. Set for Thursday, July 15th, 7 PM, at Crossroads Church in Hastings, with hosts Sophie Keeler, Miss Hastings 2020, and Mike Bremer of HCTV’s Take a Hike, Mike!, we’re accepting candidate applications for the 2021 competition!

Young women who will be 17 by the end of this July, but no older than 24 by the end of this year, and have a high school diploma or GED by June 2022 are eligible to enter. They must also be a resident of Hastings School District 200, a student of one of its schools, a full-time employee within the district, or a graduate of its high school and a Minnesota resident for at least one month before the local competition. For more details, please check the Compete tab on the MHSP website at https://www.misshastings.org/.

As an official preliminary to the Miss Minnesota and the Miss America Competitions, MHSP gives young women a platform to put their education to work as they promote a cause, or Social Impact Initiative (SII), that they’re passionate to share with others. Competition categories include a 90-second talent presentation, 10-minute press-style interview, an on-stage interview question, evening wear, and a 10-second SII statement to advocate their SII.

MHSP is a 501(c)3 non-profit charitable organization that awarded a $1,000 scholarship to Miss Hastings 2020, a $300 scholarship to her first runner-up, and a $100 to her second runner-up at our 2019 competition. We also awarded a $100 scholarship to each winner of the Talent Award, the People’s Choice Award, and the Spirit of Miss America Award. MHSP is fundraising to match or exceed these prizes at this year’s competition. Scholarship winners can redeem their awards at any accredited college or trade school of their choice.

The role of Miss Hastings is like an internship that gives her a platform to advocate a cause she is passionate about promoting. She is an ambassador of our community, a servant leader, and a role model to our youth. The experience preparing to compete for the title is beneficial, and the year of service as Miss Hastings can enhance the future of the young woman who wears the crown. She will also compete for Miss Minnesota 2022 in June next year, with the potential to advance to the Miss American Competition in December 2022.

To become a candidate and learn more, please email MHSP at [email protected] gmail.com or call us at 651-270-8984.