Concord, New Hampshire

Swoyersville, Pennsylvania

Dover, New Hampshire

Cody, Wyoming, is best known for “Buffalo Bill” Cody (its namesake) and for its outdoor rodeo. The town’s cowboys and cowgirls learn to ride from a young age, and are comfortable in their Western wear. Miss Wyoming’s Outstanding Teen Jessica Power is no exception. She may be stylish and know how to work the stage in heels and a crown, but this girl is a straight-shooting advocate for all four points of the crown, especially service.

Jessica’s platform, bullying and cyberbullying among preteens and teens, puts her on the front lines of her school’s anti-bullying policies. She makes herself available to other students who may experience or witness bullying. Her peers know they could come to her for guidance, anytime. Jessica’s biggest piece of advice? Don’t try to battle bullying alone. Get others, especially trusted adults, involved right away. It’s what saved her life. 

Parents “know you best and know how to comfort you. They’re always there to listen,” Jessica said. “Also, talk to someone of a higher power, like a teacher, a principal, the superintendent, or police, and try to get it resolved. As long as you report it, everyone is aware, and they’ll know how to stop it.”

Jessica knows her platform is more than a passing ship. It’s something increasing numbers of students are experiencing every day, at younger ages than ever before. Even her kindergarten-aged cousin experienced bullying. That’s why Jessica is using her work to get the attention of higher authorities. She says reform is needed, to stop the problem before it begins, and adds that there need to be more rules in place to inhibit bullies from striking. Bullies “get in trouble, but not to the extent it should be,” she notes. “I believe one hundred percent that the only way we’ll be able to get it to stop is by working along those lines. In my opinion, we need to bring the government to recognition of bullying in Wyoming. We need to figure out a way to handle this situation.” 

But Jessica won’t stop there. To continue her advocacy against this harmful trend, she aims to get a degree in family law and work with children who are rarely given the voice they need when suffering from all forms of bullying—emotional, verbal, and physical. As a two-year-old, Jessica was sexually abused by a former family member, and that first hand experience solidifies her need to ensure children have every opportunity to stand up for their rights. 

“I believe every child should have a voice when it comes to being abused,” Jessica said.

Read more about Jessica and other Miss America Organization contestants when you subscribe to fourpoints! 

Written by: Erika Fifelski, fourpoints staff writer, Photo: Jenn Cady

Miss America 2013 Mallory Hagan visited the Amway Corporation headquarters this week where she got to make her very own lipstick—a color she named "Crown Hytes." There's a crown on my head, and Hytes is my middle name, Mallory said. Learning what goes into making custom lipstick colors was "super fun," Mallory said. Amway sent Mallory away with the lipstick she created, and although there was a lot that went on behind the scenes she didn't know about before, there is one rule Mallory lives by when it comes to lipstick. "You can never have your lipstick too shiny," she said. 

Click here to watch the video of Mallory's lipstick-making experience! 

All eyes are on you. The lights are shining and the music starts. Your well-practiced routine begins. The talent competition is a vital part of any pageant; it displays the dedication and technique of individual contestants. But it also exemplifies style: What you wear to display your talent could make or break the performance. Take the advice of costume designer Theresa Adams, and choose something that will make you proud—and comfortable—in the spotlight. 

The first step in choosing a talent costume is to consider your music. Is it a slow beat or a quick tempo? Will the song remind judges and audience members of anything? “You want to interpret the music without being too literal or too obvious,” Adams said. For example, if your talent is dancing an Irish jig, you don’t necessarily have to deck yourself out in an all-green, shamrock-covered outfit. If the music is Latin-inspired, don’t limit yourself to red and black fabrics. “Interpret your music more loosely, to show more creativity.” 

Another tip to keep in mind is to choose a costume that fits your body type. If you have a small waist and fuller hips, Adams suggests avoiding anything that will synch the waist and flare at the hips, such as a full skirt or a short hot pant. Instead, “accentuate your positives. What are your most popular elements? If you have elegant hands, hold your hands in a way that makes them stand out throughout your talent. Point your fingers, or wear rhinestones or anything that draws attention to the hands.”

Above all, Adams notes it is important to feel comfortable and confident in your costume. How you look will affect your performance. “If she knows she looks amazing, it’s going to boost her confidence,” Adams said of contestants. 

For more fashion advice, subscribe to fourpoints magazine! 

Written by: Erika Fifelski, fourpoints staff writer

Miss America's Outstanding Teen is pleased to announce that registration for the 2013 Teens in Training Camp is now being offered at a discounted rate. This limited-time offer runs March 1 through 31, and provides registration for just $500. Click here to reserve your spot now!

Teens in Training Camp is a four-day workshop open to all girls, ages thirteen to seventeen, who wish to improve upon skills that will help them become confident, poised, and prepared leaders among their peers. Daylong professional workshops and training sessions include: 

• INTERVIEW AND PUBLIC SPEAKING
• ON-CAMERA/ONSTAGE PERFORMANCE
• MODELING AND POISE
• PLATFORM DEVELOPMENT
• PHOTO-POSING
• HAIR AND MAKEUP 
• DEVELOPING A WINNING WARDROBE
• MENTAL MANAGEMENT IN COMPETITION
• SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGEMENT
• GOAL SETTING

Participation also includes:

• Tickets to all four nights of MAOTeen competition.
• Badge for admission into Trade Show and Visitations.
• VIP entrance on "Pink Carpet" before each night of competition.
• Backstage tour of the MAOTeen Pageant.
• Viewing of closed talent rehearsal.
• Individual photo shoot.
• On-stage introduction during MAOTeen prelim.
• Exclusive Q&A with MAOTeen 2013 Rachel Wyatt.
• Swag bag full of goodies from our sponsors.
• Official TNT Camp T-shirt.

Teens in Training Camp takes place August 13-17, 2013, at the Rosen Centre Hotel in Orlando, Florida. Please e-mail Tawni@MAOTeen.org with questions. For more information, click here.

MAOTeen is also pleased to announce that registration for the 2013 Princess Camp is now being offered at a discounted rate. This limited-time offer runs March 1 through 31, and provides registration for just $500. Click here to reserve your spot now!

Princess Camp is designed for girls ages five to twelve who are looking to improve upon skills that promote self-confidence and poise, and who seek mentoring from today's young teen leaders. Participants will have the opportunity to attend:

• PROFESSIONAL WORKSHOPS TAUGHT BY LEADERS IN THEIR FIELDS
• PRINCESS PARTY WITH STATE TITLEHOLDERS
• LEARN & PERFORM A PRODUCTION NUMBER DURING THE MAOTEEN NATIONAL COMPETITION SHOW
• GET "CROWNED" ON-STAGE BY MISS AMERICA AND MISS AMERICA'S OUTSTANDING TEEN
• PARTICIPATE IN AN EXCLUSIVE PHOTO SESSION WITH THE MAOTEEN PHOTOGRAPHERS

Participation also includes:

• Tickets to all four nights of MAOTeen competition.
• Badge for admission into Trade Show and Visitations.
• VIP entrance on "Pink Carpet" before each night of competition.
• Backstage tour of the MAOTeen Pageant.
• Individual photo shoot.
• On-stage introduction during MAOTeen prelim.
• Exclusive Q&A with MAOTeen 2013 Rachel Wyatt.
• Swag bag full of goodies from our sponsors.

Princess Camp takes place August 13-17, 2013, at the Rosen Centre Hotel in Orlando, Florida. Please e-mail Jennifer@MAOTeen.org with questions. For more information, click here. 

Source: Miss America’s Outstanding Teen