(Editor’s Note: The following article was submitted by Miss Minnesota USA.)

The Miss Minnesota USA and Miss Minnesota Teen USA Pageants took place earlier this month at the Ames Center in Burnsville. A capacity crowd filled the venue for the pageant finals, where the panel of judges selected Madeline Helget of Clearwater, 2017 graduate of Annandale High School, as Miss Minnesota USA 2022, and Ava Ernst of North Oaks as Miss Minnesota Teen USA 2022.  Both titleholders will now advance and compete later this year at the Miss USA and Miss Teen USA national pageants. 2022 marks the 71st Anniversary of the Miss USA competition.

The state competition, which is held annually, consists of three proportional segments: evening gown, swimwear/activewear and interview. Eligible young women must be between the ages of 14 and 27 and be unmarried residents of Minnesota to compete in the pageant. 

Madeline and Ava will each receive thousands of dollars in prizes and awards.  Most importantly, they will have the opportunity to compete for the national titles of Miss USA and Miss Teen USA this coming year. Madeline will compete for the title of Miss USA on the live national telecast of Miss USA, and Ava will compete for the title of Miss Teen USA at the national pageant later this year. In addition, the new Miss USA will go on to represent the United States in the Miss Universe competition, which is televised in over 130 countries worldwide. 

The Miss Universe Organization (MUO) uses its global grassroots reach to empower women to be self-confident and strive to be their personal best. MUO believes that every woman should be “Confidently Beautiful.” The Miss Universe, Miss USA, and Miss Teen USA beauty pageants provide an international platform through dedicated partnerships with charities, sponsors, and brands around the world. During their reign, winners are given the tools to enrich others personally and professionally by providing humanitarian efforts to affect positive change, all while developing their personal career goals. 

For more information on the Miss USA and Miss Teen USA state pageants, please visit www.Missminnesotausa.com, email info@futureproductions.net, or call the Future Productions state pageant offices at (651) 222-9650.