Madison Marsh’s recent win as Miss America 2024 made headlines when the 22-year-old U.S. Air Force second lieutenant became the first active-duty Air Force officer to win the title. Meanwhile, preparations were quietly coming to a head for Sunday’s Miss Philadelphia and Miss Philadelphia’s Teen competitions – stepping stones to the Miss Pennsylvania and Miss America contests.
Philadelphia’s dual pageant — a combination of evening gown, lifestyle-fitness wear, talent and interview segments — was scheduled to play out at Manayunk’s Venice Island Performing Arts Center beginning at 5 p.m.
The 2024 Miss Philadelphia event is being overseen by Bobbey Biddle, Miss Philadelphia executive director since 2017 and well-known locally as director of Plymouth Whitemarsh High School’s Marching Colonials color guard program. As a Miss America volunteer since 2000, former director of the Miss Greater Wilmington (Del.) organization and, himself, a seasoned performer, vocalist and color guard member, Biddle brings a wealth of organizational and creative talent to the role.
He also brings an insider’s perspective on the positive experience such competitions offer participants as well as the importance of poise, personality and self-confidence in the judging process.
“Miss Philadelphia makes about 100 appearances a year throughout the region,” Biddle says. “Some are red carpet events. Some are sporting events. But a lot are related to supporting different charities and non-profits. Our current Miss Philadelphia Jacqueline Means is pre-med, and she has a great interest in promoting STEM (stem, technology, engineering and mathematics) initiatives for young girls. So, she’s done a lot of speaking at schools in the city, bringing in science experiments and doing demonstrations to get young kids involved in and excited about science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
“This year, we have 18 young women participating between the two titles, and, obviously, each one has her own goal for entering. The scholarship is a big motivator, but I think that there are all kinds of factors that motivate the young women who compete. It could be, ‘I saw Miss Philadelphia at some event when I was a kid, and I’ve always wanted to do that myself.’ Others are interested in the service opportunities…the opportunity to be an ambassador for a cause they’re passionate about.”
Which doesn’t mean Biddle is oblivious to the negative views held by those who criticize pageants, citing issues that demean women or violate social mores.
Last week, for example, the crowning of Carolina Shiino as Miss Japan — a preliminary to the Miss Universe competition — triggered debate over what it means to “be” or “look” Japanese. Shiino, a 26-year-old Caucasian, was born in Ukraine but moved to Japan when she was five, grew up in Nagoya, Japan, and is a naturalized Japanese citizen. Her Western appearance has led some to question whether she adequately represents Japan.
“The Miss America program dates back to 1921, so it’s not surprising that there’ve been changes and controversy (in the pageant world) during those 103 years,” Biddle says. “I’m not a spokesman for any other system, but today’s emphasis on talent, the interview…those are the touchpoints that I think differentiate Miss America. That and the goal of providing higher education — opportunities through thousands of dollars’ worth of scholarships and career development.
“I would say that the Miss Philadelphia program has always been unique in that its contestants always seem to reflect the population and the citizen base of Philadelphia and the region. All races, all ethnicities, all backgrounds, all religions, all shapes, all sizes. I know that sounds cliché, but it really isn’t when you’re talking about this particular competition. I know a lot of programs have had to get into DEI (diversity, equity and inclusion) conversations, but Philadelphia has always been DEI. And we’ve always been very proud of that.”
The Delaware native’s involvement with the Miss America organization began when “a local competition in my hometown was held at our community theater (where) I was a regular performer. I became good friends with the director of that competition…a good friend to this day and now (a member of) my board of directors. The longer I stayed involved, the more I became committed to the mission of empowering these young women and providing service and scholarship opportunities.”
In addition to his work with the Miss Philadelphia and Marching Colonials organizations, Biddle helps produce the Philly Holiday Parade and Philadelphia Pride 365. That, on top of a full-time job as office manager for a Springfield Township manufacturing firm.
The key to juggling his multiple commitments?
“Well, for Miss Philadelphia, it’s definitely my awesome board of directors,” Biddle says. “All of the locals under the Miss America umbrella are 100 per cent-volunteer, so we do all the fundraising, procuring sponsors, everything that’s needed to support the competition. And the nine members on my board — a lot of them are former Miss Philadelphia’s…lawyers, doctors, teachers, entertainers — are just an incredible group of people.
“Yes, as you can imagine, the weeks leading up to the pageant are about as insane and intensive as a couple of weeks can be. There are some quieter times of the year in this role, but this — right now — is not one of those quieter times.”
Miss Philadelphia hopefuls are required to be between the ages of 18 and 28 and live, work full-time or attend school full-time in Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery or Philadelphia counties; Miss Philadelphia’s Teen contenders must be between 13 and 18 and live in Pennsylvania. All must be U.S. citizens. More details are available at www.missphiladelphia.org.
