After capturing the title of Miss Louisiana’s Teen 2026 this spring, Minden High School graduate Ava Martin is preparing to represent Louisiana on the national stage at the Miss America’s Teen competition in West Palm Beach, Florida, later this summer. The national competition will be held as part of the Miss America Competition from August 28 through September 6, with the Miss America’s Teen finals scheduled for September 5.
Martin earned the state title in April after advancing through the Miss America Opportunity system by first winning the Miss Union Parish’s Teen preliminary competition in Farmerville.
The Minden native impressed judges throughout the state competition in private interview, on-stage conversation, health and fitness, talent, and evening wear. She performed the musical theatre dance “Dancing Through Life” during the talent competition, received a preliminary Health and Fitness award in the jazz category along with a $250 scholarship, and was awarded a $5,000 scholarship after being crowned Miss Louisiana’s Teen.
In addition to her pageant accomplishments, Martin recently announced she will attend Mississippi State University this fall on a full-tuition scholarship through the Miss America Opportunity.
“I am beyond excited to represent not just Louisiana, but my hometown of Minden, on the national stage in West Palm Beach Florida,” Martin said. “I would not be here today without the support and encouragement of my Minden family, it has been an integral part of my journey to compete at Miss America’s Teen. It is such an honor and a privilege to be Miss Louisiana’s Teen, and I am ready to put Minden on the map!”
Martin’s victory is a milestone for her hometown. She is the first contestant from Minden to win the Miss Louisiana’s Teen title, making her the first local resident to represent Louisiana at the Miss America’s Teen national competition.
Her appearance on the national stage also marks the second time she has made pageant history for Minden. In 2024, Martin won the Miss Louisiana Teen Volunteer title, becoming the first Minden resident to represent the state at the Miss Volunteer America Teen competition in Jackson, Tennessee.
As she prepares to travel to Florida, Martin will carry both the state title and the support of her hometown with her as she competes on the Miss America’s Teen stage, representing Louisiana and making history for Minden.