Rhode Island: Anea Garcia
Anea is 20 years old and is from Cranston, Rhode Island. She was adopted by her grandmother and because of her, Anea was able to attend private school since 6th grade, which Anea is very grateful for. Throughout high school, Anea worked and participated in her community while remaining focused academically. Now, Anea is in her second semester of her sophomore year at Roger Williams University in Bristol, Rhode Island on a full tuition grant through the International Leadership Award. Anea is double majoring in Legal Studies and Philosophy. Anea would love to become a criminal attorney in the future
FUN FACT: Anea knows how to surf. She learned in Costa Rica.
FUN FACT: Anea knows how to surf. She learned in Costa Rica.
South Carolina: Sarah Weishuhn
Sarah is 23 years old and is from Goose Creek, South Carolina. She recently graduated from the University of South Carolina with a degree in Public Health. She plans to attend graduate school to obtain a Master’s Degree in Dietetics. Sarah has worked with organizations such as the Harvest Hope Food Bank of South Carolina, PETS Inc, Wounded Warriors, Tumor Hater, and the American Heart Association. In her free time, Sarah enjoys photography, cooking new recipes, and spending time outdoors. Sarah is an advocate for nutrition and wellness. One day she hopes to author a dietetics based, celebrity inspired cookbook entitled “ Red Carpet Nutrition” so others can look and feel red carpet ready just like their favorite celebrities. As a future Miss USA, Sarah hopes to encourage girls to chase their dreams and fight for what they believe in.
FUN FACT: Sarah was once able to be in the operating room and watch an open heart, double bypass surgery being performed.
FUN FACT: Sarah was once able to be in the operating room and watch an open heart, double bypass surgery being performed.
South Dakota: Lexy Schenk
Lexy is 21 years old and is from Irene, South Dakota. She is currently a junior at the University of South Dakota pursuing a degree in Nursing. After graduation, Lexy would love to become a nurse in the pediatrics field. Lexy would also love to travel to a different country to work with children in need of medical attention. She has a strong passion for helping people in need. When Lexy is not in class, you can find her either listening to music or finding new music. She enjoys going to concerts and target shooting with her dad. Lexy loves spending time with family and friends and it helps her to relieve some of her stresses. In high school, Lexy was a four sport athlete. She played volleyball, basketball, track, and cheerleading. While in high school she also claimed the crown of Miss South Dakota Teen USA in 2011.
FUN FACT: Lexy’s hometown is not big enough to have stop lights. Her town only has a population of 400 people.
FUN FACT: Lexy’s hometown is not big enough to have stop lights. Her town only has a population of 400 people.
Tennessee: Kiara Young
Kiara is 25 years old and is from Nashville, Tennessee. She is currently a student, a NFL Cheerleader, and a boutique buyer. In 2012, Kiara received her Bachelor’s degree in Biological Sciences with a concentration in organisms, ecology, and biodiversity from Hampton University. In 2014, she received her Master’s Degree in Public Health from Meharry Medical College. She graduated Cum Laude from both colleges. Her career goal is to become a pediatric gastroenterologist and to open a pediatric office in an undeserved area. At age 17, Kiara was a victim of a drunk driving accident. She faced many injuries from the accident, but she was able to overcome with the love and support of her friends and family. Kiara loves to read, mentor, volunteer, and dance. She loves to perform in front of an audience whether it is on a pageant stage or on the sidelines of a football game.
FUN FACT: Kiara’s family and friends nicknamed her the “Ultimate Organizer.” For the past 14 years, she has had a color coded planner to help her stay very organized.
FUN FACT: Kiara’s family and friends nicknamed her the “Ultimate Organizer.” For the past 14 years, she has had a color coded planner to help her stay very organized.
Texas: Ylianna Guerra
Ylianna is 22 years old is from McAllen, Texas. In December of 2014, Ylianna graduated from the University of the Incarnate Word in San Antonio, Texas with her Bachelor’s Degree in Communication Arts. Ylianna has worked with many nonprofit organizations such as the Make A Wish Foundation, Easter Seals, Proyecto Desarollo, and the Texas Children’s Hospital to name a few. Ylianna has a love for children and she wants to inspire the children she works with to always believe in themselves and their goals. In her free time, Ylianna loves to travel, bake, run, and dance. Her favorite types of dance are Salsa and Merengue.
FUN FACT: Ylianna LOVES 80’s music.
FUN FACT: Ylianna LOVES 80’s music.
Utah: Nicol Powell
Nicol is 21 years old and is from Salt Lake City, Utah. She has been modeling since the age of 14 and has been singing with an L.A. Agency since the age of 16. She is a singer/songwriter and was in a group with her sister Marissa Powell (Miss Utah USA 2013) for many years. Nicol played volleyball growing up and in high school she received a First Team All State Award. She was also the 4A MVP for the state of Utah in 2011. Someday, Nicol would love to become a sports reporter of a television network. Nicole is the ambassador for Healing Hands for Haiti, a non profit organization dedicated to delivering rehabilitation medicine to adults and children with physical disabilities in Haiti. She is also an advocate for Adoption-Share, an online site designed to promote communication within the adoption community and assist in the journey of adoption. Her little brother was adopted along with her father and brother in law.
FUN FACT: Nicol was a “Child of Light” ice skater for the opening and closing ceremonies of the 2002 winter olympics in Salt Lake City.
FUN FACT: Nicol was a “Child of Light” ice skater for the opening and closing ceremonies of the 2002 winter olympics in Salt Lake City.
Vermont: Jackie Croft
Jackie is 24 years old and is from Burlington, Vermont. She is currently a bartender and a model. When she is not training for the Miss USA Pageant in July, she is training for Spartan Races. Jackie loves to exercise, especially outside in the beauty of Vermont. Jackie is a singer and she loves to sing karaoke and go Salsa dancing. Jackie also loves cooking and baking with local and fresh ingredients.
FUN FACT: Jackie is ambidextrous, making her able to use both sides of her body equally.
FUN FACT: Jackie is ambidextrous, making her able to use both sides of her body equally.
Virginia: Laura Puleo
Laura is 25 years old and is from Lexington, Virginia. She is currently in her last semester of Law School at Washington and Lee University. She graduated Cum Laude from Duke University with degrees in Latin and Attic Greek. In law school, Laura was elected by her class as representative to the University’s Executive Committee-the adjudicative body charged with upholding the University’s honor system and with allocating a $500,000 budget. For a semester, Laura taught Constitutional Law at a high school in Virginia. Laura advocates for The 296 Project, a nonprofit organization with a mission to promote, fund, support, and advocate for art and expressive therapy as a means to combat painful symptoms of PTS and TBI in active duty and Veteran US Service Members.
FUN FACT: Laura can recite the entire poem of the Aeniad & Illiad by heart.
FUN FACT: Laura can recite the entire poem of the Aeniad & Illiad by heart.
Washington: Kenzi Novell
Kenzi is 24 years old and is from Spokane, Washington. She graduated from Gonzaga University with a bachelor’s degree in Public Relations and Promotions. She plans to work as a public relations or marketing specialist for a Fortune 500 company. Kenzi earned many scholarships in college, she graduated with absolutely no student loans! In her free time, Kenzi enjoys performing on aerial silks, thrill seeking, dancing, and organizing. She was even cast as a zombie in the Syfy television show ZNation. Kenzi volunteers for many charities including Make-A-Wish, the Special Olympics, and Ronald McDonald House Charities. Kenzi has raised $10,000 for the Salvation Army from ringing a bell for 52.5 hours straight, sent 2 cancer surviving sisters to a Taylor Swift Concert, and helped raised over $96,000 for the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle, Washington.
FUN FACT: In 3rd grade Kenzi had the chicken pox. However, she only had 5 of them.
FUN FACT: In 3rd grade Kenzi had the chicken pox. However, she only had 5 of them.
West Virginia: Andrea Mucino
Andrea is 24 years old and is from Morgantown, West Virginia. She is a graduate of West Virginia University with a degree in International Studies. She recently interned for the U.S. House of Representatives and U.S Senate. She would love to receive a dual JD/MBA Degree and become a lobbyist for education and women’s rights. Andrea describes herself as adventurous, ambitious, and a total nerd. Her favorite hobby is traveling. Andrea is fluent in three languages (english, french, and spanish), and she was able to use her skills to visit Italy, France, and Spain. In her free time, Andrea loves to do pilates, watch cooking shows, and curl up with a good book.
FUN FACT: Andrea is obsessed with Chihuahuas.
FUN FACT: Andrea is obsessed with Chihuahuas.
Wisconsin: Haley Laundrie
Haley is 21 years old and is from Lake Mills, Wisconsin. In 2012, Haley had the honor of serving Valedictorian of her graduating class. Currently, Haley is a student and Dean’s List Honoree at the University of Wisconsin-Madison studying Communication Arts and Legal Studies. Haley would first like to start a career in Public Relations, and then eventually attend Law School. Haley is a member of the Best Buddies and She’s the First organization on campus. In addition, she is an active volunteer for the Humane Society of Jefferson County and MOXY-Ovarian Cancer Awareness. Haley also enjoys spending time with family, traveling, being outdoors, snowboarding, swimming, and hiking.
FUN FACT: Haley has a fear of heights. She tries to overcome this fear by doing things like walking down the Grand Canyon or repelling off of an old 90-foot Irish Castle!
FUN FACT: Haley has a fear of heights. She tries to overcome this fear by doing things like walking down the Grand Canyon or repelling off of an old 90-foot Irish Castle!
Wyoming: Caroline Scott
Caroline is 22 years old and is from Cheyenne, Wyoming. In 2010, she won the title of Miss Wyoming Teen USA and she is back in the adult division to try to claim the Miss USA crown! At the national Miss Teen USA Pageant, Caroline placed in the top 15 as a semifinalist. Caroline attended Creighton University for college. While at Creighton, Caroline was involved with many different activities. She joined the Gamma Phi Beta sorority, she went on a mission trip to Costa Rica where she set up small clinics in different towns and invited locals to receive a consultation and medicine, and she acted as a peer mentor for youth at an inner city junior high school. After graduating, Caroline was hired by the Department of Family Services as a social worker where she works in the interest of children to preserve families and prevent abuse and neglect.
FUN FACT: Caroline was stung by a jellyfish in the Bahamas right after competing for Miss Teen USA.
FUN FACT: Caroline was stung by a jellyfish in the Bahamas right after competing for Miss Teen USA.
http://www.missuniverse.com/missusa/members/contestants