Letter: Miss America Outstanding Teen robbed of title

Our granddaughter, Sarah Carlson, was robbed of her Miss America Outstanding Teen title by program director Dot Stewart. My wife and I were deeply involved in the issue while visiting Sarah and her parents in August. Here are the facts in the case:

First, on five separate occasions Sarah provided Dot with her date of birth — application, contract, driver’s license, birth certificate and personal interview. She hid nothing. Dot was totally negligent in not checking her date of birth against the state/national age chart.

Second, nowhere in the contract does it state that a contestant must qualify for the state and national programs in order to participate in the local contest. Dot, who has great autonomy over the local pageant, could have “legally” allowed Sarah to serve out her term.

Third, the state/national age chart is flawed and prevents any girl born in the later half of July and going into her junior year from competing in any state “Miss” or “Miss Outstanding Teen” contest. National directors need to address this issue.

We are very proud of our granddaughter, who has handled this fiasco with the dignity of a true winner.

Scottsdale, Ariz.

This story was originally published October 20, 2015 at 6:48 PM with the headline "Letter: Miss America Outstanding Teen robbed of title."