Teens Making a Difference :
TERESA SCANLAN ,
MISS AMERICA 2011
By Samantha Roth , 17-year-old columnist
At the age of 17 , most girls spend their time preparing for school and filling out college applications , but in 2011 , Teresa Scanlan was taking a very different route . She began the year as a typical 17-year-old senior , but just a few months later , she would be a role model to teens and children everywhere , talking about a difficult topic that affected her personally .
Just two weeks after graduating from high school , Scanlan was about to compete on the Miss Nebraska stage where she would perform on the piano , an instrument she has played since the age of seven . Scanlan thought talent and interview were her two best areas of competition because those are opportunities to stand out .
“ With the interview , you have ten minutes , and you finally get to talk to the judges and show them your personality ,” Scanlan said .
That year , the judges of Miss Nebraska crowned not only one of the youngest Miss America Organization titleholders in history , but the first Miss Nebraska who would go on to win the title of Miss America .
Just six months later , Scanlan would be on the Miss America stage in front of thousands and broadcasted to millions at only 17 . Because performing to large crowds boosts her confidence , she loved it . Shortly after being crowned , she spent a whole year performing , helping , and speaking to large crowds as Miss America 2011 . Traveling to hospitals all over the country , assisting Children ’ s Miracle Network , supporting organizations , and inspiring people worldwide would be Scanlan ’ s new life .
Scanlan ’ s personal platform , a topic she chose to promote during much of that year , was eating disorders awareness . When she was 13 , Scanlan ’ s best friend went through bulimia . Although Scanlan didn ’ t know how to help her friend , she researched and studied every article she found . “ It was a long process . Getting treatments and medical attention was a long journey ,” Scanlan said .
This very serious platform and personal story was what encouraged Scanlan to make a difference .
Although her time as Miss America was over in a year , her legacy and pageant journey continues . Scanlan wanted to keep competing in pageants , so she entered Miss World America in the summer of 2015 .
Samantha Roth
“ I saw the alignment of the missions between Miss America and Miss World , and I loved that ,” Scanlan explained . “ They are two systems focused on platforms and community service .” It was a perfect opportunity to continue bringing attention to eating disorders . She placed as first runner up and was proud that she took a step out of her comfort zone after many people had told her she reached her peak .
Now at the age of 23 , Scanlan has developed many friendships and sisterhoods with other Miss Americas and people in the organization , and she continues to help the organization grow .
She is also a mom to 5-month old Jace and loves spending every minute with him . She said that she can ’ t wait to see what his future holds . As for her future , she plans to continue her education with law school and is ready for another three years of schooling . n
Samantha Roth is the ambassador for the Next Generation Global Sisterhood , and she is the Miss Reigning America . The Next Generation Global Sisterhood includes women around the world who volunteer for great causes . It is a spin off of the successful non-profit 501 ( c ) ( 3 ) public charity . The mission of the Global Sisterhood is to educate while providing resources and networking for women and girls internationally . By forming connections and supporting each other ’ s missions and movements , we will provide sustainable ways for women throughout the world to make their goals and dreams a reality .
WINTER 2017 INSPIRING LIVES 101