MISS MANATEE SCHOLARSHIP ORGANIZATION
A LOCAL PRELIMINARY COMPETITION FOR MISS FLORIDA & MISS AMERICA
2026 Competition
Saturday, February 21st, 2026
Areas of Competition
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Interview
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Talent or HERstory
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On-Stage Question
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Fitness
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Formal Wear
Eligibility
Titles Awarded
Location
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Miss Manatee
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Miss Manatee's Teen
Braden River High School
6545 State Road 70 E, Bradenton, FL
34203
To be eligible to compete in a local competition, Miss Manatee or Miss Manatee’s Teen you must be female, meet the age criteria, be living as a resident or employed full-time in person, or enrolled as a student at an accredited school/college in the following 18 counties: Charlotte, Citrus. Collier, Glades, Hardee, Hendry, Hernando, Highlands, Hillsborough, Lake, Lee, Manatee, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, Sarasota, and Sumter.
Miss America - 18 - 28, must be NO OLDER than 28 on September 30, 206 or no YOUNGER than 18 on September 1, 2026.
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Miss America's Teen - 14-18, must be no YOUNGER than 14 by September 1, 2026 an no OLDER than 18 on September 30, 2026.
•Miss America allows the option for 18-year-old contestants to have a ‘pivot’ year to decide whether they would like to compete in the Teen or Miss Divisions.
•Once an 18-year-old selects the division she will be competing in, she may not change divisions until the next cycle.
Register at:
https://www.club.missamerica.org/ma-membership
Once you register with Miss America we will email you
competition info. and answer questions you may have, or you can email us directly for more information at:
manateecountypageants@gmail.com.
2025 Reigning Titleholders
Rebekah Bennett
Miss Manatee Fair's Teen
Lauren Woodward
Miss Manatee County
Bold Title
Say Hello to Your New Miss Manatee County Fair’s Teen 2025!
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We’re thrilled to introduce Rebekah Bennett as your Miss Manatee County Fair’s Teen 2025! With her bright spirit and inspiring platform, Rebekah will proudly represent the Miss Manatee Scholarship Organization at the Miss Florida’s Teen Pageant this June!
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She embodies everything this organization stands for—leadership, kindness, and a commitment to community. Let’s all rally behind her as she takes the next step in her journey!
Please help us congratulate Lauren Woodward, your newly crowned Miss Manatee County 2025!
Lauren is a law student, small business owner, certified wellness coach, and founder of Stronger Than Stigma, an initiative dedicated to eating disorder awareness and holistic health. Lauren combines her passion for advocacy and wellness through school outreach, social media, and community partnerships. With three published books and an initiative that's reached thousands, Lauren is committed to creating change.
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We are so proud to have her represent the Miss Manatee Scholarship Organization and can't wait to cheer her on as she brings her platform to the Miss Florida Pageant this June.