Letter from Executive Director
Welcome to the Miss Southlake Organization
I am a beneficiary of the outstanding legacy of the Miss Texas and Miss America Organizations. As a local titleholder, I competed four times with four different organizations before I was selected to serve as Miss Texas 2012. Each of my local directors and boards gave countless time, energy, talents, and resources to help shape me into who I am today.
Although several years have passed since I served as Miss Texas, my heart has never left this organization. The life skills that you learn through competing and serving as a titleholder aid you in every area of your life. That is ultimately why I decided to come back as a local director. I am excited to hit the ground running with innovative ideas to enrich the legacy of this program.
Preparing Women for the Stage and Beyond
A major component of Miss Texas and Miss America is the competition. I have spent a majority of my life in different types of competitions. I began my competitive years in twirling, transitioned to the Miss America local, state, and national stage, and now compete in the courtroom. I know about the persistence and drive that it takes to train like a champion. We have assembled an exciting team of talented people who also know what it takes to reach the next level.
Preparing Great Women for the World
As the largest scholarship provider for women, Miss America funds the academic dreams of its participants. Thanks in part to my scholarships from local competitions, Miss Texas, and Miss America, I graduated debt-free. As Malala Yousafzai said, “One child, one teacher, one book, one pen can change the world.” We are striving to increase the amount of scholarship assistance we can provide to our representatives and all of our candidates.
Preparing the World for Great Women
Women’s voices are being heard like never before. We want to build on that movement by developing our representative’s advocacy skills and providing opportunities for her to advocate for her causes. By partnering with the Southlake local government and other local organizations, we can show our community the power of our program and our women.
We are so excited that you have chosen to participate in our organization! We are going to have a phenomenal year.
INFORMATION COMPETITION
A New Season Begins, and The Legacy Continues.
The Miss Southlake, Miss Westlake, Miss Southlake’s Teen, and Miss Westlake’s Teen Competition will take place at the Coppell Arts Center in Coppell, TX, on Saturday, September 13, 2025. A day-of schedule will be circulated closer to the competition.
We are incredibly excited to welcome you to this state-of-the-art facility. and we are proud to advance the mission of the Miss America Organization and Miss Texas Organization following the 104th and 88th Anniversaries, respectively.
More than anything, this Competition Guide is a resource. The rest of the Guide will provide a high-level overview of the Phases of Competition, the Score Distribution, Applicable State & Local Paperwork, and Ad Page information. It will also flag relevant deadlines so that you are ready to compete on September 13.
The Phases of Competition include: Private Interview, On-Stage Conversation, Health & Fitness, Evening Gown, and Talent or HERStory.
We look forward to having you join us on September 13, and we look forward to the opportunity to welcome you into The Lakers Family.
If you have any questions about how to get involved in The Lakers Organization, please contact Executive Director DaNae Couch Lowe at DaNae@MissSouthlake.org. We would be happy to answer any questions that you may have and connect you with applicable resources.
Each year, thousands of young women participate at the local, state, and national levels, culminating in the selection of 52 national finalists who compete for Miss America or Miss America’s Teen. One of them could be you—all you have to do is take the leap!
People always ask: Why Should I Be a Candidate? Well, Because You Can:
• Gain valuable experience and Develop life skills (e.g. interview skills, public speaking, interpersonal communication, social interaction, etc.);
• Earn quality scholarship funds for college and graduate school, regardless of whether a title is won;
• Find new interests and Discover new opportunities;
• Make lifelong friendships and relationships;
• Learn to set goals, follow them through, and exceed your expectations;
• Develop a sense of responsibility for helping others and Engage in community service;
• Foster a positive, self-motivated mindset to achieve your goals;
• Receive recognition for your efforts in bettering yourself and your community;
• And More!
To compete for the national title, you must first register for membership in the Miss America Program. Membership gives you access to exclusive member benefits as well as the ability to compete in local competitions. If you win a local competition, you can then compete in your state competition for a chance to compete at the national Miss America or MATeen Competition —a process requiring hard work, talent and personal commitment. Along the way, you will learn valuable life and career skills and earn thousands of dollars in scholarships to help pay for your education. In doing so, you will make memories that last a lifetime!
ELIGIBILITY
MISS TEXAS
Age: Women between 18*-28 (18 as of September 1, 2026; 28 as of September 30, 2026)
School, Residency, Employment: Requirement satisfied by one of the following:
• Reside in the State of Texas for 120 days (may use parent’s address);
• Enrolled in and physically attending classes at an accredited college; OR
• Employed on a full-time basis, in-person in the State of Texas for 120 days
Citizenship: Must be a U.S. Citizen
MISS TEXAS' TEEN
Age: Women between 14-18* (14 as of September 1, 2026; 18 as of September 30, 2026)
School, Residency, Employment:
• Reside in the State of Texas for 120 days (may use parent’s address);
• Must be successfully enrolled and attending classes on a full-time basis at an accredited public or private school, or home schooled in Texas
Citizenship: Must be a U.S. Citizen
* 18-year-old contestants can decide whether they would like to compete in the Teen or Miss divisions. A division election cannot be changed in a competition cycle.
YEAR IN REVIEW 2024-2025
The Miss Southlake Scholarship Organization has been incredibly active since the 2025 Competition. Grace Shoop, Savannah Wilson, Danielle Walls and Sophia Mendoza represented Southlake at 175 in-person and virtual events. We are so thankful for their incredible service to their communities!
the reign
Stye. Service. Success. Scholarship. Southlake.
Miss Southlake, Miss Westlake, Miss Southlake’s Teen, and Miss Westlake’s Teen (The Lakers) are the celebrity representatives of the Miss Southlake Scholarship Organization (MSSO) to the public.
As a member of the MSSO team, she is responsible for positively advancing the goals and objectives of MSSO as well as her own Community Service Initiative (CSI). The Lakers will work with the MSSO team to develop goals to advance her chosen CSI while serving as a role model in the SouthlakeWestlake communities.
In addition, the Lakers will serve as advocates for the Miss America's Scholarship Foundation and the MSSO, raising funds to create educational opportunities for young women a reality. Locally, the titleholders support the Lone Star Scholarship Foundation and Texas Cares for Children.
As such, public speaking and performance are essential skills for our representatives. She will speak to and perform for audiences of all sizes. She is a representative of MSSO with sponsors, students, and the communities of Southlake and Westlake.
A first step to continuing her education and career, joining the Lakers is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that carries with it service above self. We look forward to welcoming you to the Lakers Sisterhood!
community
September 2025
Miss America & Miss America's Teen | Sept. 2 - 7
Celebrate Southlake | Sept. 6
Miss Southlake & Miss Westlake | Sept. 13
Tarrant County Heart Walk | Sept. 20
State Fair of Texas | Sept. 26 - Oct. 19
October 2025
State Fair of Texas | Sept. 26 - Oct. 19
Dallas Heart Walk | Oct. 18
Southlake Oktoberfest | Oct. 17 - 19
November 2025
Southlake Diwali Fest | Date TBA
Southlake Home for the Holidays | Nov. 22
December 2025
Westlake Christmas Tree Lighting | Date TBA
Grapevine Parade of Lights | Dec. 4
Dallas Holiday Parade | Dec. 6
Opportunities in 2026
Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo | Jan. 16 - Feb. 7
Rodeo Houston | Mar. 2 - Mar. 22
Art in the Square | April 2026
Southlake Stars & Stripes | July 3
More opportunities are forthcoming!
PHASES OF COMPETITION
EARLY BIRD
Register by August 15
Non-Refundable
Entrance Fee
$100
Non-Refundable
Entrance Fee
$150
DELUXE
Non-Refundable
Entrance Fee
Full Page Ad
$200
All Delegates Must Raise $30 for American Heart Association
WARDROBE
REHEARSALS
OPENING NUMBER & ON-STAGE CONVERSATION
PRIVATE INTERVIEW
TALENT OR HERSTORY
EVENING GOWN
HEALTH & FITNESS
Comfortable, Active Wear
Black Cocktail Attire - Delegate's Choice
Interview Attire - Delegate's Choice
Costume - Delegate's Choice
Evening Wear - Delegate's Choice
Active Wear - Go Red with Rebel Athletic
PRICING INFORMATION
1/4 Page Ad
1/2 Page Ad Full Page Ad
SUBMISSION DETAILS
Submit to danae@misssouthlake.org
Subject: AD PAGE - Delegate Name
Attach Ad as JPG or PDF
Make design requests in email body
Deadline: September 1, 2025 All Digital Ads in Color
Questions about Ad Pages? Contact Bryce Couch at bryce@misssouthlake.org
REGISTER
LAKER LONE
What is the Laker Lone Star Program?
The Laker Lone Star Program is designed to promote early involvement in the Miss America program. It is a mentoring program and gives young girls a chance to learn more about what being a local or state titleholder involves. Young ladies must be 5–12 years and cannot be older than 12 years by the date of the Miss Texas Competition in June 2026.
The Miss Southlake Scholarship Organization is committed to investing in the Lone Star Program. Our goal goes beyond simply creating a memorable experience for the girls involved. We hope to create lasting mentorship relationships that exist beyond the stage. To that end, opportunities for Lone Stars are year-round rather than confined to the Competition date.
LONE STAR
Why Should I Join the Laker Lone Star Program?
On April 3, 2020, the Miss Southlake Scholarship Organization hosted a Virtual Princess Party. Twenty-five members of the Miss Texas and Miss Texas’ Outstanding Teen Classes of 2020/2021 contributed to the talent showcase. We welcomed Payton May, the reigning Miss America’s Outstanding Teen, as well as our fabulous state queens Miss Texas Chandler Foreman and Miss Texas’ Outstanding Teen Allie Graves. The event welcomed 151 unique, participant computers, many of which were shared by multiple viewers.
We also coordinate holiday events. This includes an in-person Christmas party, virtual Easter Egg Decorating hosted via Zoom, a virtual Christmas Celebration Concert, and a Virtual Tea Time. We are also honored to welcome Lone Stars at the Miss Texas Competition if you choose to participate as a Southlake or Westlake Lone Star.
THE EXPERIENCE
The standard fee to be a Laker Lone Star is $75. Additional participation packages are available and outlined below.
At the Miss Southlake Westlake Competition, Laker Lone Stars will participate in planned programming with Miss Southlake Grace Shoop, Miss Westlake Danielle Walls, Miss Southlake's Teen Savannah Wilson, and Miss Westlake’s Teen Sophia Mendoza.
They will also have the opportunity to be featured at the Miss Southlake Westlake Competition, and we are thrilled about getting to welcome them.
If you know someone interested in being a Laker Lone Star, please notify us and provide us with their contact information. We will send them registration paperwork that they will need to send with their payment, and we will coordinate the competition details with them. A Lone Star is not required for the competition and instead a fun way to mentor others. It really does make the experience fun, though, if you choose a princess with which you have a personal relationship.
Laker Lone Star Registration Paperwork and Payments are due by no later than Friday, August 30, 2025. For additional information, contact danae@misssouthlake.org.
All Laker Lone Stars will have the option of being your Texas Lone Star for the year and participating at the Miss Texas and Miss Texas’ Teen Competitions in June 2026. If a Laker Lone Star chooses to become a Texas Lone Star, she should visit the Miss Texas website for additional information. For more information on the Texas Lone Star Program, please visit https://www.misstexas.org/ lone-stars.html.
Note: Parents must purchase tickets for the show. The Laker Lone Star fee covers the entry of the Laker Lone Star at the Competition.
ABOVE: Texas Lone Stars perform on stage during the during Miss Texas and Miss Texas' Teen Competition in June 2023 at the Eisemann in Richardson, TX.
