First Miss America Sisterhood Scholarships Awarded To Atlantic City High School Seniors

For immediate release

Atlantic City – July 11, 2018 –   The Miss America Foundation is proud to announce the for the first time in its history, two scholarships have been awarded to deserving young women not otherwise participating in the Miss America program. The “Miss America Sisterhood Scholarships” were awarded today in front of the historic Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall, to two 2018 Atlantic City High School graduates who each received a scholarship of $1200 for their continued education.  The entrants were judged on academic achievement, community service and essay.

Suzette Charles, Miss America 1984 and Ericka Dunlap, Miss America 2004 Miss America, presented the Sisterhood Scholarship Awards to Natalie Ott and Aliza Haider, both from Brigantine.  “The reason I spearheaded this new Sisterhood Scholarship was the community that helped me and Miss America.  It’s only natural to give back to the community who gives and provides us so much,” said Charles, who was an Atlantic City student.  The Sisterhood Scholarship Awards were funded by former Miss Americas who wanted to reach out to those who may not go through the Miss America Program.

Atlantic City Mayor Frank Gilliam was also on hand to support the event and scholarship award.

Miss America Sisterhood Award Recipients:

Natalie Ott, Vice-President of the Honor Society, accumulated a 4.47 GPA, was active in Crew, Soccer, Softball and Swimming.  An advocate in the fight against youth drug and alcohol abuse, she creates open dialogue with teenagers on substance abuse.  Natalie is planning to attend West Virginia University in the fall.

Aliza Haider, has ranked First in her class of 472 and accumulated a GPA of 4.4941.   She is very active in community service events including shelving books at the local library, helping with beach clean ups, and teaching swimming to younger children and especially those with disabilities.  Aliza has enrolled this summer at Princeton University.

The Miss America Organization, a 501(c) (4), is one of the most recognizable household names in America working to empower young women through education and service. The Miss America Organization is comprised of 51 licensed state organizations, including all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Miss America candidates contribute tens of thousands of community service hours annually and have raised over $17 million for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals and Miss America scholarships since 2007.

Contact
Karen Nocella
Executive Director of Operations
The Miss America Organization
Direct: 609.344.1804
Email: Karen.Nocella@missamerica.org