South Carolina's Tess Ferm crowned Miss America's Teen 2026
South Carolina's Tess Ferm bested 51 other contestants to win Miss America's Teen 2026 on Saturday, September 6 at the Walt Disney Theater, Dr. Phillips Center for Performing Arts in Orlando, Florida.
The 18-year-old student and food allergy advocate from Charleston succeeds Peyton Bolling of Arkansas. She became me the third winner from South Carolina after Taylor Fitch (2009) and Rachel Wyatt (2013).
Sara DeVolld of Sara DeVolld was named first runner-up while Emma Fossum of Texas, Delaney Higgins of New Jersey, and Ashton Blake Hart of District of Columbia were the second, third, and fourth runners-up, respectively.
Reagan Khloe Moore of Georgia, Jasmine Wu of California, Fiona Treiber of Iowa, Allison Payton of Ohio, Mila Pearl of Oregon, and Lynzi Allen of Pennsylvania completed the Top 11 semifinalists.
The newly crowned Miss America's Teen is a graduate of Porter-Gaud and is set to begin her freshman year at Furman University. She is dedicated to advocating food allergy safety and education through her initiative, From Fear to Freedom.
Motivated by her own life-threatening allergies, she has successfully educated more than 2,500 students and teachers. She has also facilitated the installation of epinephrine auto-injectors in over ten locations within her school and collaborated with national organizations like FARE to push for important legislative changes.
Tess is not only dedicated to her service work but also has a passion for performing. She has taken the stage in her school’s musicals, including Grease, Footloose, School of Rock, and Mamma Mia, and is an active member of the school choir.
In addition to her artistic pursuits, she founded the Kindness Counts Club, serves on FARE's Teen Advisory Group, and was recognized as the American Heart Association's South Carolina Teen of Impact for 2025.
Photos: Houston M Photography / Miss America's Teen
