News Summary
Tess Ferm, an 18-year-old from Charleston, has been crowned Miss America’s Teen 2026 in a ceremony held in Orlando. She received a $58,000 scholarship and aims to raise awareness about food allergies through her initiative ‘From Fear to Freedom.’ Ferm, who previously won Miss South Carolina’s Teen, plans to study psychology at Furman University and uses her platform to inspire young women and promote allergy safety.
Charleston – Tess Ferm, an 18-year-old from Charleston, has been crowned Miss America’s Teen 2026 in a ceremony held on September 6 at the Walt Disney Theater in Orlando, Florida. This prestigious title comes with a scholarship of $58,000 through the Miss America’s Teen program, which focuses on providing young women with opportunities for professional development, networking, and community service.
Ferm topped a field of 52 contestants to claim the title, having previously been crowned Miss South Carolina’s Teen in June. During her state competition, she showcased her vocal talents by performing “Tomorrow” from the musical “Annie.” As she moves forward as Miss America’s Teen, she plans to continue her studies at Furman University, where she will pursue a degree in psychology to fulfill her ambition of becoming a Child Life Specialist.
This year’s Miss America’s Teen pageant not only highlights beauty and talent but also emphasizes the importance of advocacy. Ferm has dedicated her efforts to raising awareness about the serious issue of food allergies. She experiences severe, anaphylactic food allergies herself and has launched an initiative titled “From Fear to Freedom” to promote food allergy safety and education.
Since initiating her advocacy, Ferm has educated over 2,500 students and teachers regarding the dangers of food allergies and has led efforts to install epinephrine auto-injectors in her school to ensure preparedness for allergic reactions. Collaborating with organizations like Food Allergy Research & Education (FARE), she has worked toward promoting allergy safety and advocating for necessary legislative changes.
In recognition of her impactful work in the community, Ferm received the American Heart Association’s South Carolina Teen of Impact award for 2025 and was honored with the Quality of Life: Teens in Action Overall Award for her efforts in food allergy advocacy.
As Miss America’s Teen, Ferm’s mission is to inspire young women to dream, lead, and recognize their potential. She strives to be a role model for her peers and believes that her crown serves as a platform to effect meaningful change. Ferm has expressed her intention to develop further projects that include creating food allergy-themed activity placemats for local restaurants and producing public service announcements (PSAs) to spread awareness.
Ferm’s win marks a historic moment as she becomes the third Miss America’s Teen from South Carolina and the first to hold the title since 2009. Her advocacy work will continue on a wider scale as she engages with legislators to push for laws focusing on allergy safety and enhancing emergency preparedness in schools. Ferm’s journey reflects a blend of personal resilience and commitment to improving the lives of others affected by food allergies.
Ferm’s achievements are a testament to her determination and leadership. She stands ready to leverage her new role to lead initiatives that not only elevate her cause but also inspire other young women across the nation to take up similar advocacy efforts.
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- Live 5 News
- Wikipedia: Miss America
- WLTX
- Google Search: Tess Ferm
- ABC News 4
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Miss America
- Count on 2
- Google News: Miss America Teen 2026
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