Miss America is an annual competition open to women from the United States between the ages of 18 and 28.
Originating in 1921 as a beauty pageant, the competition now judges competitors' talent performances and interviews in addition to their physical appearance.
In January 2018, the new board of directors increased the maximum age of titleholders to 25 years old, from 24.
[1] Therefore, contestants couldn't be older than 25 years old on December 31 in the calendar year of her state competition.
[1] In January 2023, the new board of directors increased the maximum age of delegates to 28 years old, from 27.