***FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE***
NEW YORK, NY (May 8, 2020) – The Miss America Organization announced Friday that the Miss America 2021 Competition, previously scheduled for December, is being delayed to next year due to the nation-wide impact of COVID-19.
For the safety, health and welfare of the enormous community necessary to make the Miss America competition possible, including participants, volunteers, organizers, and fans, the Miss America Board of Directors has unanimously voted in favor of postponing the Miss America 2021 Competition and has advised the 51 qualifying competitions across the country to do so as well.
“As we all know, this moment in our history is one that will change the course of many programs, businesses, and institutions, and the Miss America Organization is not alone in navigating these challenges,” said Shantel Krebs, Board Chair. ”At this time, as an organization, our greatest concern is to make sure the thousands of people who are involved in or volunteer for our program are safe. This coming year will be our 100th anniversary for this iconic American institution, and we want to make sure that we take the time to ensure our annual broadcast and the surrounding experiences reflect our time-honored tradition.”
Miss America 2020 Camille Schrier was crowned live on NBC from Mohegan Sun Arena in Connecticut in December of 2019. An honors graduate of Virginia Tech with dual Bachelor of Science degrees in Biochemistry and Systems Biology, Schrier is now pursuing a Doctor of Pharmacy at Virginia Commonwealth University.
“As Miss America 2020, a large part of my message is that science really is all around us,” said Schrier. “It is imperative that science and safety are at the forefront of our concern during this pandemic year, and it is with that in mind that I applaud the Miss America Organization’s decision to move this year’s competition to 2021.”
As a participant in the Miss America Organization, Schrier has earned over $77,000 in scholarship assistance to further her education. Camille will continue to serve in her role as Miss America 2020 until she passes the torch to her successor in 2021.
“While I am sad that I am unable to promote my social impact initiative, Mind Your Meds, at events in person, I am grateful for the innovative ways we are broadening the conversation around prescription drug safety at home, such as the four-part webinar series on opioid addiction with Advanced Recovery Systems that launched this week. I remain hopeful that it will be safe to share my message in person soon. In the meantime, I will continue promoting the mission of Miss America while creating lasting change with my social impact initiative.”
The Miss America Organization is working with the state qualifying organizations to amend rules and eligibility for the 2020 and 2021 competition years. For updates on the Miss America 100th Anniversary, please visit MissAmerica.org.
