Atlantic City, NJ (September 6, 2017) – On Wednesday, August 31st, the 2018 Miss America Contestants gathered in front of Historic Boardwalk Hall to celebrate the Miss America Competition’s 97th Anniversary. The Miss America Organization is proud to announce the continuation of AtlantiCare, a member of Geisinger, as an Official Sponsor of the annual Miss America Arrival Ceremony for its fifth consecutive year.
Welcoming the contestants to Atlantic City included MAO partners, sponsors, and government dignitaries, including: The Hon. Don Guardian, Mayor of Atlantic City; Mr. Chris Howard, Executive Director, Casino Reinvestment Development Authority; Dr. Marilouise Venditti, MD, Chief Medical Officer, AtlantiCare; Sam Haskell, III, Executive Chairman & CEO, Miss America Organization; Lynn H. Weidner, Chairman of the Board, Miss America Organization; and Josh Randle, President & COO, Miss America Organization.
After each of the 51 contestants took the stage to make their introductions, the Miss America Foundation announced the finalists for the Jean Bartel Quality of Life Scholarship Award, the STEM Scholarship Award, and the Women in Business Scholarship Award on stage.
The 2018 Jean Bartel Quality of Life Award was introduced in 1988 to recognize contestants who excel in their commitment to community service. The winner of the Quality of Life Award will receive a $6,000 scholarship, the first runner-up will receive a $4,000 scholarship, and the second runner-up will receive a $2,000 scholarship — a total of $12,000. The Quality of Life Awards are awarded and funded by The Miss America Foundation, Inc.
The finalists for the 2018 Quality of Life Awards are:
- Miss Alabama Jessica Procter
- Miss District of Columbia Briana Kinsey
- Miss Kansas Krystian Fish
- Miss Minnesota Brianna Drevlow
- Miss Mississippi Anne Elizabeth Buys
- Miss North Dakota Cara Mund
- Miss South Carolina Suzi Roberts
The 2018 STEM Scholarship finalists were also announced on stage. The STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, & Math) scholarships will empower more women to pursue careers in STEM-related fields to lead successful lives. The three recipients of the STEM scholarships will each receive $5,000 each — a total of $15,000. The STEM scholarships are awarded and funded by The Miss America Foundation, Inc.
About The Miss America Organization
The Miss America Organization, a 501(c) 4 non-profit corporation, awards millions of dollars in annual college scholarship assistance making it the largest scholarship program for women in the United States. MAO is comprised of 51 organizations, including all 50 states and the District of Columbia. MAO contestants contribute over 500,000 hours of community service annually and have raised over $16 million for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals since 2007.