Miss America: Not Just Another Pretty Face Many people are against the very idea of a beauty pageant. Most probably have no idea that the Miss America Scholarship Program provides more scholarships to young women than any other organization in the world. It started as just a beauty contest in Atlantic City, New Jersey, in 1921. However, Miss America has been giving away scholarships since 1945. Bess Myerson became the first person to receive a cash award. Between the national, state, and local organizations, Miss America reports that it gave away more than $45 million in cash and scholarships last year.
One of the biggest objections to the pageant has been the swimsuit competition. In 1996, the pageant conducted a poll. Almost 90 percent of voters wanted to keep the swimsuit portion. It is still used today to judge physical fitness. However, several other parts of the competition are scored more heavily. The personal interview that contestants have with the judges is worth 25 percent. The talent competition is worth 35 percent. Evening wear counts for 20 percent. The swimsuit competition counts for 15 percent, and the onstage question is worth 5 percent of the final score.
The young women who compete in pageants like this aren’t just pretty faces. Each contestant is required to select a “platform” issue. They are asked to choose something they feel strongly about and that is relevant to the United States. The winners help bring attention to their issues by speaking to organizations, businesses, and the media. HIV/AIDS prevention, domestic violence, school bullying, literacy, and homelessness have all been highlighted by past Miss America winners.
Miss America has changed from a simple beauty pageant to its current role as a scholarship program. Since 1945, women have received money to pay for graduate school and to pay off student loans. Miss America is much needed. The thousands of young women who have benefited from it have also gone on to have careers in television, film, and business.

Which sentence from the passage best supports the idea that Miss America is more than a beauty pageant?

A.
Issues like HIV/AIDS prevention, domestic violence, school bullying, literacy, and homelessness have all been highlighted by past Miss America winners.
B.
The swimsuit competition counts for 15 percent, and the onstage question portion is 5 percent of the score.
C.
The thousands of young women who have benefited from it have also gone on to have careers in television, film, and business.
D.
One of the biggest objections to the pageant has been the swimsuit competition.