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2026 Empire Stars
Register

Miss America isn’t just a role model for young women—she inspires us all.

Empire Stars may not be eligible to compete in the Miss New York or Miss New York’s Teen Program, but that doesn’t mean they can’t have their own Miss New York experience! Participants between the ages of 3 and 12 will have an opportunity to work with, and be mentored by, both our Teen and Miss delegates and could be selected for the once-in-a-lifetime role of Miss New York’s Official Empire Star for the next year. If your daughter, son, niece, nephew, grandchild, student or neighbor is interested in an opportunity to learn more about community service and the sisterhood of Miss New York, then this is the program you have been waiting for.

register

who can participate?

  • Girls and Boys*

  • 3 to 13 years old, as noted below:

    • Born on or after September 2, 2012

    • Born on or before June 27, 2023

  • Must be able to attend the rehearsal (same weekend as the show) and walk across the stage without a parent or guardian assisting them

    If your star was born on or before September 2, 2012 then they may be eligible to compete as a Teen contestant!

2-Day Experience

  • Empire Star t-shirt, sash, and crown*

  • Headshot in the Miss New York Competition Magazine and website (application must be received by 6/1/26)

  • Social media feature leading up to State Week

  • Autographs from current State Titleholders

  • Complimentary photo of your Star from the evening gown walk

  • Breakfast and crowning ceremony with their contestant mentor and the State Titleholders

  • Pizza Party lunch!

  • Participation in our day 2 field trip (activity TBA)

  • Free admission to the Summer Soiree

  • Free admission to the Miss Preliminary Night 2

  • Introduction and performance on stage during the Miss New York’s Teen and Miss New York Final Competitions.

3-Day Experience

  • Everything from the 2-day experience, plus:

  • Participation in our day 1 field trip (activity TBA)

  • Free admission to Miss Preliminary Night 1

What's included in the experience?

financial commitments?

The registration fee is $450 for the 2-Day experience and $650 for the 3-day Experience.  This includes all items listed in the experiences, as well as food and drinks during Empire Star activities and, snacks during rehearsals. Lodging is not included, and parents/guardians are responsible for transportation. We have flexible/adjusted registration fees for the following:

  • Empire Stars whose family qualifies for public assistance (SNAP, foster care, etc.)

  • $50 discount for sibling registrations after the first full price registration.

If you have any questions, reach out to the Tasha at empirestars@miss-newyork.org.

Empire Stars who register for the 3-day experience will arrive on Thursday morning. Stars who are joining us for the 2-day experience will arrive Friday afternoon. Both options end at the conclusion of the Miss New York Final competition on Saturday evening.

time commitments?

  • Preliminary competition: semi-formal wardrobe of choice

  • Breakfast, Crowning Ceremony: cute but casual, like a tea party

  • Rehearsal: comfortable clothes

  • Production Number: Empire Star t-shirt, black leggings/pants and sneakers

  • Evening Wear Walk: Formals (dress/suit), their Empire Star sash and crown

what does my empire star wear?

* Because the Empire Stars are a local chapter of the Miss America’s Little Sister Program, boys do not receive the Miss America little sister sash and crown. Boys will receive a boys crown and sash.

** Free entry to the shows and Summer Soiree are for the Empire Star only. A parent/guardian attending will need a ticket. During the shows, Empire Stars will sit in the balcony with our Star Coordinator and volunteers. You can purchase a seat in this section if you would like to attend with your Star, select a seat on the main floor, or collect your Star from the lobby at the conclusion of the show. At least one parent/guardian must attend the Soiree with each star unless guardianship with another attendee (not a state contestant) has been arranged.

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