Miss Earth USA 2020 is all set to host its virtual coronation ceremony on 8th August 2020 as a preventive measure due to the spread of covid-19 where stunning beauties will compete for the national crown and the opportunity to represent USA at Miss Earth 2020. Miss Earth USA 2019 Emanii Davis will crown her successor at the end of the event finale.
Virtual activities began from 3rd – 8th August 2020 includes recognition of medal challenge and scholarship recipients across all divisions, the farewell of Miss Earth USA Libby Hill and elemental titleholders Mia, Francie & Nicolette, and pay respects to the success of reigning Miss Earth Air Emanii Davis from the USA.
We’ve have selected our top 10 favourites for the competition who we think have the potential to represent the USA at Miss Earth 2020. So, let’s look at the favourites.
Alexandra Curtis Miss Earth Rhode Island 2020 is 28-years-old and holds a B.A. in Political Science and Public Relations from Syracuse University, a Master of Public Affairs from Brown University, a Master of Science in Administration of Justice and Homeland Security from Salve Regina University, and an A.A. focused on Emergency Management from Community College of Rhode Island. She currently serves full-time as a Public Affairs Specialist. Curtis is a two-time TEDx Speaker, with talks titled “Leading Ladies: Why Representation Matters" and "Daring Daily: The Power of Practicing Courage." She wants to use the platform to focus on her advocacy on environmental sustainability. Through her advocacy, she wants to remain dedicated to bring young women into fields where women have been historically underrepresented.
Angel Strong Miss Earth Nebraska 2020 is 18-years-old and aspires of becoming an International Diplomat and eventually serving as a United Nations representative. She is active in tree planting and litter clean ups and has even brought the organization Green Teams to elementary and middle schools in the city of Lincoln. With her proactive passion, she has spent the last four years of high school successfully advocating for her school to convert to solar energy. The best piece of advice Angel has ever been given is by her Junior International Baccalaureate English teacher, “Perfection isn’t the goal, but rather doing as much as you can within your abilities.”
Brianna Ruff Miss Earth Virginia 2020 is 27-years-old and is an Emergency Services Counsellor, Licensed Cosmetologist, and Owner of 31Dreams, a personal development company. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and a Master’s Degree in Marriage and Family Therapy. Her goal is to open a wellness centre aimed at collectively promoting mental, physical, and emotional well-being. She co-founded a service project called “The Big Give Back,” partnering with local women’s shelters, children hospitals and surrounding communities to organize charity drives and fulfil a constant giving back to those in need. She was recognized as a Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals “Miracle Maker” for her fundraising efforts and received the “Commitment to Service” award from Wells Fargo for her community work addressing suicide awareness and prevention.
Catherine Smith Miss Earth Great Lakes 2020 is 22-years-old and has earned a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater in Political Science with Legal Emphasis / Minor in Philosophy / Certificate in Paralegal. She wants to pursue a career as an Environmental Justice Attorney for the Environmental Protection Agency. She is also the founder of a sustainability educational program “Environmental Superheroes” for grades K-12. She has been awarded the Presidential Volunteer Service Gold Award and the Outstanding Acting Attorney Award in 2019. She is the Editor-in-Chief for the award-winning newspaper at University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, the Royal Purple.
Gabriela Peraza Miss Earth Texas 2020 is 27-years-old and has earned a Bachelor’s degree in Broadcast Journalism from the University of Houston and has dreams of one day opening a vegan bakery and cafe. Her passion for adopting a plant-based diet contributes to decreasing her carbon footprint greatly to reduce water usage, deforestation, and methane gas emission. For her Think Global Act Local Project, she partnered with Happy Earth Compost to recollect composting materials from individuals and businesses to be made into Earth fuel. She enjoys analogue artistic photography and listening to vintage country music.
Jessi Stringer Miss Earth Oklahoma 2020 is 27-years-old and works as an Architectural and Urban Designer, holding a Master’s Degree from the University of Oklahoma. Her vision is to work with state governments to build, fund, and sustain “complete communities.” She helps coach cheerleading to those with special needs and has been a backup dancer and a choreographing cheerleader for the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. She has volunteered for United Way and Big Brother Big Sister, and she is the founder and president of the first US Green Building Council organization at Oklahoma University. She enjoys practicing yoga, being vegan and spending time with her sweet rescue dog. She believes that a true beauty for a cause is a person who strives to do the best they can for the earth at least once a day, as the mission for the platform states.
Leigh Anna Kingvalsky Miss Earth Louisiana 2020 is 28-years-old and is a corporate wellness team leader and personal trainer. She has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Kinesiology with a concentration in pre-physical therapy and a Master’s in Business Administration. Her platform, Sustain Your Health, educates on the importance of making small sustainable and eco-friendly changes to your diet in order to maintain the climate crisis and one’s wellbeing. LeighAnna earned a declaration from the City of New Orleans for her Outstanding Community Service. She once partnered with the Bahamas Consulate General to participate in a service event that allowed her to interact with and donate to young women in need of toiletries and mentorship.
Lindsey Coffey Miss Earth Atlantic Ocean 2020 is 28-years-old and has earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science and a minor in Communication Arts with emphasis in professional writing. Her long-term goal is to obtain a Juris Doctor degree and implement new legislation to protect and improve our society and planet. To reduce her carbon footprint, she is a vegetarian and always shops organic and local. She enjoys volunteering for Adopt-A-Highway, Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership, and The Humane Society.
Shannon Lynch Miss Earth District of Columbia 2020 is 28-years-old and is a Podcast Producer at the think tank New America and the Executive Director of the non-profit She Votes. She holds a Bachelor's from Georgetown University and a Master's degree from American University. Her future goal is to become a Congresswoman and be a champion for legislation that protects our environment. She is also the Executive Director of the non-profit SheVotes, a nationwide organization that ensures all young women are registered and responsible voters. Her non-profit also focuses on sustainability and has distributed over 100 reusable bags to consumers at DC grocery stores. She was the recipient of a national award for her volunteerism with the National Military Family Association. Someone she admires most is her mother for being an Army Veteran, Medical Doctor, and a mother of five, proving that women really can do it all.
Sophia Collier Miss Earth Nevada 2020 is 21-years-old and is a graduate of Arizona State University & Harvard Business School. Her future vision is becoming a public figure advocating for women’s empowerment initiatives, investing in early stage companies making a difference, and donating funds towards environmental protection programs. She currently runs three online companies in marketing, events, and fashion, all with a community service aspect attached to them in their respective industries. Sophia has volunteered with The Clean Earth Project, participating in local beach clean ups, and working with global organizations to use biodegradable packaging.
(Photo Credits: Miss Earth USA Official)