The Miss Colorado organization hosted Miss Colorado 2021 coronation ceremony on 8th June 2021 at The PACE Center in Parker, Colorado, where Fort Carson's soldier, Maura Spence Carroll, was crowned the winner. She will now represent Colorado at Miss America 2022 at the Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, Connecticut in December 2021. Maura succeeds Miss Colorado 2019, Monica Thompson, for the title.
Maura is 21-years-old and works as an intelligence analyst and is the first active-duty soldier to represent Colorado. She is passionate about representing Colorado in the best way possible and believes that Miss America 2022’s platform will help her do that.
The diva mentioned, "If I don’t win Miss America, I’ll still be Miss Colorado. Either way, I feel like I win if I get to represent my state and my country. " She wants to spread awareness and educate people about mental health and work towards preventing service members' suicides. She adds that she wants to keep the memory of her sister alive after her five-year-old sister tragically drowned in 2015.
"By ending the stigma, more people get healthcare, and when we get more healthcare, we can reduce the rates of suicide rates later on for both military members and veterans," she stated.
After winning the crown, Maura took to her social media to share her sheer happiness by mentioning, "Colorado, I LOVE YOU! I’m still struggling to put into words how I feel. After years of working, praying, and dreaming of this day, last night I was chosen as Miss Colorado 2021. I am beyond thrilled to be representing this incredible state for the next year and to compete in the Miss America 100th Anniversary Pageant this December! To every single person that has posted, commented, messaged, and called me on the last day - I am eternally grateful for your encouragement and support (and patience as I respond to everyone)! This organization has aided my growth over the last eight years in ways I didn't realize until I came out on the other side. The best part is that it will continue to push me as I serve in Colorado for the next year. Thank you, thank you, thank you to each of you who have cheered me on. We’re going to Miss America!"
Maura also expressed gratitude for the overwhelming support she has received from her leadership unit and the Army as a whole. The diva learned about her mental health last October when she was diagnosed with ADHD. Talking about the incident, she stated, "It was like a light bulb moment. Everything made sense, and I could stop living in shame. I think that being open, honest, and allowing people to see the hardships as well as the struggles, will hopefully open up that avenue for other people to receive care as well. "
The stunning and courageous soldier enjoys doing volunteer work, such as speaking at schools and practicing her interview questions for the competition. She joined the Army in 2018 as she "wanted to do something that would make people proud, that was kind of cool and would give me life experience." She praised her chain of command for being "extremely supportive," saying they are willing to give her the time she needs to pursue her other dreams because "they know how much I value being a soldier and working hard."
1st Lt. Andrew Looss, the soldiers’ officer-in-charge, mentioned that she is a team player and brings great energy to the battalion and the intelligence section. She is strong and empowered to make a promise she made to her little sister come true. She has started to prepare for the competition and is assured of using the platform in the best way possible.
Congratulations!