Pageant systems, explained plainly
A system is the organization behind a title: it sets the age groups, the scoring, and where a winner goes next. Here is what each one running in the Carolinas says about itself, in plain words. As of October 24, 2026, 8 of the 9 systems below have upcoming dates on our calendar, and Miss America accounts for 16 of the 27 listed pageants.
Miss America (Miss South Carolina and Miss North Carolina)
The scholarship program for young women and teens. Local titles lead to Miss South Carolina or Miss North Carolina, then to Miss America.
16 upcoming eventsSunburst Beauty Pageant
A long-running beauty system for babies through adults, with no interview. Local pageants lead to a Carolinas state final and then Internationals.
3 upcoming eventsMiss Ultimate USA
A national system for ages 4 to 27, scored on interview, runway and evening gown. The Carolinas share one state pageant in Fountain Inn.
1 upcoming eventNational American Miss
A national system for girls and women ages 4 to 39, built around interview, introduction, formal wear and community service. The Carolina state titles are crowned at a regional event in Atlanta.
1 upcoming eventAmerica's High School Pageant (Elementary through Collegiate America)
A family of pageants with divisions by school grade, from preschool to college. One combined SC and NC state pageant is held in Spartanburg.
2 upcoming eventsRoyalty USA
A national system for ages 4 through adult, judged on interview, evening gown and fun fashion. Its 2027 national finals are in Charleston.
1 upcoming eventSupreme International Pageants
An international-level pageant held in Burlington, NC, with divisions from age 4 and under through Ms. Golden, plus a division for adults with special needs.
1 upcoming eventFestival pageants
Hometown queens crowned for a town festival, like the Strawberry Festival in Fort Mill or the Azalea Festival in Wilmington. Some are scholarship pageants.
2 upcoming eventsMiss USA and Miss Teen USA (South Carolina and North Carolina)
The state pageants that lead to Miss USA and Miss Teen USA. 2027 Carolina dates were not posted when we checked.
Read the guideNot sure which is which? Start with how pageant systems work in the Carolinas.