Charleston Native Crowned Miss America’s Teen 2026

Tess Ferm, the Charleston native and Furman freshman, was crowned earning $58,000 in scholarships.

One South Carolina teen was crowned over the weekend while representing the Palmetto State in the Miss America’s Teen 2026 pageant. It was hosted in Orlando with teens from every state vying for the title.

Tess Ferm, the Charleston native and Furman freshman, was crowned earning $58,000 in scholarships through the Miss America’s Teen program and her Community Service Initiative, which raises awareness for anaphylactic allergies to create safer, more informed communities.

Ferm was also honored as the Quality of Life: Teens in Action Overall Award winner and recognized for her fundraising efforts on behalf of the American Heart Association.

“Being Miss America’s Teen means representing possibility. It’s about showing that teens are not just the future, but the now—ready to lead, to innovate, and to make a real difference in our schools, our communities, and across the country. This crown is so much more than a crown, it’s a launchpad,” Ferm said.