Atlantic City, NJ (September 1, 2016) – On Tuesday, the 2017 Miss America Contestants gathered in front of the historic Boardwalk Hall to celebrate the Miss America Competition’s 96th Anniversary. The contestants’ arrival ceremony kicked off two weeks of festivities and events in Atlantic City culminating with the 2017 Miss America Competition broadcast live on ABC, Sunday, September 11 at 9:00 to 11:00 PM ET.
Welcoming the contestants to Atlantic City included MAO partners, sponsors, and government dignitaries, including: The Hon. Kim Guadagno, Lt. Governor of New Jersey; The Hon. Don Guardian, Mayor of Atlantic City; Larry Sieg, Director of Marketing, Casino Reinvestment Development Authority; Dr. Marilouise Venditti, MD, Chief Medical Officer, AtlantiCare; Sam Haskell, III, Executive Chairman & CEO, Miss America Organization; Lynn Weidner, Chairman of the Board, Miss America Organization; and Josh Randle, Chief Operating Officer, Miss America Organization.
“On behalf of the State of New Jersey, it is my pleasure to welcome and congratulate this year’s 52 contestants who have distinguished themselves through their leadership, advocacy and talent,” said Lt. Governor Guadagno. “We are pleased to again welcome Miss America back to Atlantic City and we look forward to celebrating many more milestones together.”
The 2017 Jean Bartel Quality of Life Awards were introduced in 1988 to recognize contestants who excel in their commitment to community service. These awards recognize those contestants who shine in their community through their own personal platforms, dedicated to bettering the lives of others.
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 2017 Quality of Life Awards are:
- Miss Alabama Hayley Barber
- Miss Kansas Kendall Schoenekase
- Miss Maryland Hannah Brewer
- Miss Mississippi Laura Lee Lewis
- Miss Nevada Bailey Gumm
- Miss Oklahoma Sarah Klein
- Miss Tennessee Grace Burgess
The 2017 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.
The finalists for the 2017 STEM Scholarships are:
- Miss Alabama Hayley Barber
- Miss Hawaii Allison Chu
- Miss Illinois Jaryn Franklin
- Miss Kansas Kendall Schoenekase
- Miss Montana Lauren Scofield
New for this year, the Foundation also announced the inaugural Women in Business Scholarship, established to empower more young women to succeed in business. The 2017 Women in Business finalists were also announced on stage, these scholarships will allow women to pursue an MBA and enter numerous careers in the business world. The two recipients of the Women in Business scholarships will each receive $5,000 each — a total of $10,000. The Women in Business scholarships are awarded and funded by The Miss America Foundation, Inc.
The finalists for the 2017 Women in Business Scholarships are:
- Miss Georgia Patricia Ford
- Miss Maryland Hannah Brewer
- Miss Missouri Erin O’Flaherty
- Miss Rhode Island Shruti Nagarajan
Don’t miss the excitement as these 52 contestants compete for the title of Miss America 2017. Order your tickets today for the 2017 Miss America Competition on Ticketmaster.
A special thanks to the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority, AtlantiCare, and DO AC for their generosity, sponsorship, and continued support of the Miss America Organization.
About The Miss America Organization
The Miss America Organization, a 501(c)4 non-profit organization, is the nation’s leading advocate for women’s education and the largest provider of scholarship assistance to young women in the United States, awarding millions of dollars annually. The Miss America Organization is comprised of 52 licensed organizations, including all 50 states, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico. Miss America contestants contribute tens of thousands of community service hours annually and have raised over $14 million for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals and Miss America scholarships since 2007.
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