What was once considered just a beauty pageant, Miss America is now a competitive contest featuring the nation’s most talented, educated and involved.
Madi Andreason, a senior at ISU and Bengal Dancer, plans to graduate in 2025 with bachelor’s degrees in political science and paralegal studies, and was crowned Miss Idaho in June this year. She’ll head to Florida for the Miss America pageant at the end of December, with the final competition taking place January 5, 2025. For those hoping to cheer on Andreason and Idaho in the contest, look for more information on YouTube as the event draws near.
“You’re not just going on stage, you’re talking on stage, you’re performing a talent, and it’s just as much about what you’re not doing on stage. It’s about how you go out in your community and help people and I don’t think that’s ever something that can be overrated or stereotypical,” says Andreason.
There are 52 contestants this year, with Puerto Rico being added for the first time.
“It’s been a big shift and I’ve been more open in my interviews about things I want to talk about and there’s a lot more genuinity that is brought to pageants now,” Andreason adds about the rigor in the competition.