Miss America 2019 Nia Franklin
Mohegan Sun welcomed the 51 contestants vying for the crown of Miss America 2020. It’s the first year the contest is being hosted by Mohegan Sun. The competition will run from December 12th – 19th.
On Thursday, December 12th the crowd welcomed the contestants in a press conference at the concourse of Mohegan Sun.
Nia Franklin the current Miss America title holder was on hand with officials. She started the official proceedings with a beautiful rendition of the Star Spangled Banner.
More so than ever the Miss America contest is stressing the involvement of women in all roles of society. Each contestant has contributed countless hours of volunteer work in their home states prior to the national competition.
The Miss America Organization and The Miss America Foundation have announced the 2020 Scholarship Award Finalists for STEM, Women in Business, Social Impact Initiative, and Equity and Justice. For the first time in the history of these awards, finalists will be interviewed on Tuesday, December 17, 2019 in the Cabaret Theater at the Mohegan Sun. This event is open to the public. The winners will be named Tuesday evening at 8:00 PM in the Cabaret Theater.
The finalists are:
WOMEN IN BUSINESS SCHOLARSHIPS: $5000 (1st), $4000 (2nd)
Jacqueline Thomas (Arizona)
Katelynne Cox (District of Columbia)
Nikki Holbrook (Hawaii)
Grace Zimmerman (Idaho)
Alex Franke (Kentucky)
STEM SCHOLARSHIPS: $5000 (1st), $4000 (2nd), $3000 (3rd)
Mo Shea (Montana)
Morgan Nichols (South Carolina)
Darynne Dahlem (Arkansas)
Lyndsey Littlefield (Massachusetts)
Lauren Molella (New York)
EQUITY AND JUSTICE SCHOLARSHIP: $3,000
Mallory Rivard (Michigan)
Ariel Beverly (Illinois)
Caitlyn Stupi (Maryland)
Brianna Mason (Tennessee)
Alexandra Badgett (North Carolina)
SOCIAL IMPACT INITIATIVE SCHOLARSHIPS: $6,000 (1st) $4,000 (2nd), $2,000 (3rd)
Nasya Mancini (Nevada)
Amber Hulse (South Dakota)
Morgan Nichols (South Carolina)
Anika Wooton (Kansas)
Dexonna Talbot (Utah)
Candidates
Alabama
Schedule
The public will be able to attend several of the week’s events for free.
The candidates arrive at Arena open box office concourse Thursday, Dec. 12th at 5 p.m. (Free).
Preliminary nights competition Sunday and Monday, Dec. 15-16, 7-10 p.m., Mohegan Sun Earth Expo & Convention Center.
Miss America Foundation Scholarship Judging 10 a.m.-noon, Cabaret Theater Tuesday, Dec. 17 (Free).
Miss America Autograph Session 6:30-7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 17, near the Cabaret Theater (Free).
Nia Franklin Tribute Show: 8 p.m. Tuesday, December 17 at Cabaret Theater.
Miss America Foundation Breakfast with The (former) Miss Americas: 9-11 a.m. Dec 19, Earth Ballroom A.
Miss America Red Carpet: 6-7 p.m. Dec. 19, Sky Arena Entrance in Casino of the Sky (Free).
Finals: Thursday, December 19 in Mohegan Sun Arena (also on NBC) 8-10 p.m.
Miss America 2020 Competition After Party Post Broadcast: Vista Lounge. after 10 p.m.
Article by Donna Erichsen
Photos by George Bekris
#MissAmerica2020