Camille Schrier, of Virginia, dazzled the Mohegan Sun Casino Arena and her competitors with science, as she captured the crown of Miss America 2020
Miss America 2020 celebrated her ninety-ninth birthday with a return to the NBC television network, which broadcasts the celebration from the Mohegan Sun Casino Arena. The 51 state candidates vying for the crown and job of Miss America 2020 would compete before a nationwide audience, all while demonstrating their desires to be inspirations in changing lives and showcasing their talents, passions and ambitions.
The Miss America 2020 candidates opened the NBC telecast by introducing themselves, defined by their fields of study or profession. Following the introductions, the Top 15 semi-finalists were announced: Miss Texas Chandler Foreman, Miss New York Lauren Molella, Miss Oklahoma Addison Price, Miss Hawaii Nicole Holbrook, Miss Colorado Monica Thompson, Miss New Jersey Jade Glab, Miss Connecticut Jillian Duffy, Miss Georgia Victoria Hill, Miss Florida Michaela McLean, Miss North Carolina Alexandra Badgett, Miss Missouri Simone Esters, Miss Alabama Tiara Pennington, Miss Virginia Camille Schrier, Miss California Eileen Kim, and Miss Kansas Annika Wooton.
Although the Top 15 were announced, only the Top 7 as decided by the preliminary scores would advance within the televised program. The competition began with the Miss America 2020 Job Interview, wherein the ladies succinctly answered the interview questions as presented by the panel of judges. The initial seven consisted of state candidates representing Colorado, Oklahoma, Missouri, Virginia, Alabama, Connecticut, and Georgia.
With the completion of the Job Interview, the field of Miss America 2020 candidates were narrowed to the Top 5, who would then advance to the Talent Competition: Miss Missouri – Baton Twirling, Miss Connecticut – Vocal Performance, Miss Georgia – Classical Vocal Performance, Miss Alabama – Jazz Dance, and Miss Virginia – Chemistry Demonstration. The Miss America 2020 Top 5 would again be winnowed, this time to the Top 3.
It was time to impress the judges with a commitment to social change and social awareness as the job of Miss America requires an astute understanding and mindfulness of society’s needs. The candidates would answer to these needs in their Social Impact Statement. Which passions did these young women promote? Taking center stage presenting their statements in a setting reminiscent of a Ted Talk were Miss Georgia – Flip the Script on Foster Care, Miss Missouri – Leave your MARK: Mentor At Risk Kids, and Miss Virginia – Mind Your Meds: Drug Safety and Abuse Prevention from Pediatrics to Geriatrics. All of the topics are pertinent in today’s society.
The tension built as the Miss America 2020 field was once again reduced, from the final three to the final two, with one concluding competition awaiting the ladies, the Final Question. However, it was not the familiar format whereby the same question is presented to each finalist. In a new twist, each of the final two would be asked a singular question, answer the question, then allow a response to her answer from her remaining final delegate, and then have the opportunity to offer a rebuttal if needed or desired. The final question would be the deciding factor in the quest for Miss America 2020.
As the two remaining Miss America 2020 candidates stood center stage, the crowd erupted in applause as Victoria Hill became first runner-up and Camille Schrier of Virginia was announced as Miss America 2020.
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