Nicole Jia
Age: 17
Talent: Piano
Platform Issue: “This Little Light of Mine”
State: Oklahoma
Miss Oklahoma’s Outstanding Teen Nicole Jia was crowned Miss America’s Outstanding Teen 2017 on Saturday, August 6th in Orlando. Jia’s triumphant walk across the stage at the Orange County Convention Center was just the beginning of a journey that will take her all over the country during her year of service as Miss America’s Outstanding Teen 2017.
“We are proud of Nicole and the thousands of teens who compete nationwide to serve as positive role models for our nation’s youth,” said Miss America’s Outstanding Teen President Kim Parrish. “Orlando has been the home of our competition for more than a decade, and in the wake of this summer’s tragedies, our focus on nurturing success was especially meaningful.”
In the past decade, Miss America’s Outstanding Teen (MAOTeen) has grown to become one of the world’s leading achievement programs for hundreds of young women, paying out nearly $1 million in cash scholarships to more than 199 colleges and universities. Providing girls ages 13 to 17 a platform to share and express their viewpoints, demonstrate their commitment to community service, and pursue their educational dreams, the Florida-based nonprofit has developed mentoring programs and community-based initiatives that result in more than 70,000 volunteer hours annually.
Speaking to audiences about her platform “This Little Light of Mine,” Miss America’s Outstanding Teen 2017 Nicole Jia will also act as the official National Teen Goodwill Ambassador for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, a non-profit organization dedicated to saving and improving the lives of children by raising funds for children’s hospitals. CMNH is the national platform partner of the Miss America’s Outstanding Teen Organization.
Jia is a 17-year-old student at Casady School. She resides in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Along with the title of Miss America’s Outstanding Teen 2017, Jia won a $30,000 scholarship provided by The Harris Rosen Foundation and the Orlando Scholarship Foundation, Inc. toward her college education. Jia was also named the recipient of the Outstanding Instrumentalist Award. She earned an additional $500 scholarship for this award.
Miss Oklahoma’s Outstanding Teen first runner-up, Addison Price will take over as Miss Oklahoma’s Outstanding Teen 2016.
For more information on Miss America’s Outstanding Teen visit maoteen.org.
