National Academy of Honor

Our 2011 Miss America Academy of Honor Recipient, Bill Haggerty, is celebrating almost a half-century of volunteer service, but he is more-likely known for his warm smile and engaging personality. Bill is the Co-Executive Director and Executive Producer of the Miss New Hampshire Scholarship Program. Bill has been involved in every phase and aspect of the Miss New Hampshire program, always sharing his welcomed passion and wisdom. He is also a wonderful volunteer to the Miss America Organization, participating on a committee that collaborated to standardize the scholarship rules for our state and local organizations – an extremely important task. In addition to providing his expertise on the scholarship committee, Bill has dedicated his time to helping his state and our national program by creating workshops, website development, newsletters, and public relations initiatives.

Bill serves on the Miss New Hampshire Scholarship Program Board as Vice President, and he also acts as the Production Consultant for Miss New Hampshire’s Outstanding Teen program. He continues to find new and innovative ways to keep the program alive and flourishing. From author, to producer to judge, this Academy of Honor recipient continues to find the time to meet with the young women in our program, supporting them with his knowledge and experience so they will shine brightly throughout the state. A retired Superintendant of Schools, he married his wife, Patricia, Miss New Hampshire 1969 1st runner-up. He has three wonderful children and is now the grandfather of five.

The Miss America Organization proudly congratulates our 2011 Academy of Honor Award recipient, William J. Haggerty. In appreciation of Bill’s undying devotion and service to our program, the Miss America Organization grants a $5,000 scholarship to the Miss New Hampshire Scholarship Fund.

The Miss America Academy of Honor was established in 1996 to recognize one individual who has provided outstanding service to the Miss America Organization at the State or Local organization for the year. Volunteers who have served 20 years or more within the Miss America system on the state or local level with a demonstrable record of success and accomplishment are eligible. Length of service, contributions to the Local and/or State program and service on their organization’s board as a member or officer are considered. Applications for the 2012 Miss America Organization Academy of Honor will be available in October and due to the National Office December 2011.

Previous recipients to this prestigious award include: Nan Teninbaum (AL) 2010, Mary Sullivan (FL) 2009, Dana Phillips (OR) 2008, Kay Dickinson (NC) 2007, Bruce Robert (MA) 2006, Gail Sanders (SC) 2004, Charles Welch (OK) 2003, Theresa Beauchamp (CT) 2002, Bob Arnhym (CA) 2001, Joe Sanders III (SC) 2000, Larry Webber (MO) 1999, Meg Geraghty (NH) 1998, Bob Wheeler (AR) 1997, Tom Hensley (TN) 1996.

The Miss America Organization is one of the nation's leading achievement programs and the world's largest provider of scholarship assistance for young women. Last year, the Miss America Organization and its state and local organizations made available more than $45 million in cash and scholarship assistance. For more information, go to www.missamerica.org.