Miss Massachusetts | Loren Galler Rabinowitz. Miss America 2011 Contestant

Loren Galler Rabinowitz
Brookline, Massachusetts
Age: 24

Education:
Buckingham, Brown & Nichols Day School
Harvard University

Platform Issue: "Fighting Childhood Hunger"

Scholastic Ambition: To attend medical school

Talent: Piano

Scholastic Honors: Graduated Harvard with high honors in English; David McCord Prize “for depth of talent in the literary arts, in particular, for the combination of the fields of medicine and poetry;” Le Baron Prize “for work as a humanitarian and poet”

Career Ambition: To become a pediatrician and a published poet

Local Competition Sponsor: Miss Middlesex Organization

State Competition Sponsor: Miss Massachusetts Scholarship Foundation Inc.

courtesy of miss america website

Miss Maryland | Lindsay Staniszewski. Miss America 2011 Contestant

Lindsay Staniszewski
Edgewater, Maryland
Age: 22

Education:
La Plata High School
University of Maryland at College Park

Platform Issue: Beyond Beauty: Building Self-Esteem and Positive Body Image in Girls

Scholastic Ambition: To obtain a Master’s degree in Public Relations

Talent: Vocal

Scholastic Honors: University of Maryland Honors Program; Simon Youth Foundation Scholarship for Character and Leadership; Lillian Medas Performing Arts Scholarship

Career Ambition: To work as a director of communications for a national non-profit organization

Local Competition Sponsor: Miss Montgomery County Scholarship Organization

State Competition Sponsor: Miss Maryland Scholarship Organization

courtesy of miss america website

Miss Maine | Arrika Knights. Miss America 2011 Contestant

Arikka Dyan Knights
Chester, Maine
Age: 24

Education:
Mattanawcook Academy
Franklin Pierce University

Platform Issue: Connecting the Generations

Scholastic Ambition: To obtain a Master's degree in public affairs

Talent: Tap Dance

Scholastic Honors: Recipient of Marlin Fitzwater Center Medallion for Contribution to Public Discourse; Alpha Chi National Honors Society; Recipient of the Marrer Award

Career Ambition: To become the national public affairs director for the Social Security Administration

Local Competition Sponsor: Miss Greater Lincoln

State Competition Sponsor: Miss Maine Scholarship Pageant

courtesy of miss america website

Miss Michigan | Katie Lynn LaRoche. Miss America 2011 Contestant

Katie Lynn LaRoche
Bay City, Michigan
Age: 23

Education:
Bay City Central High School
Michigan State University

Platform Issue: Raising Awareness of Human Trafficking

Scholastic Ambition: To obtain a Doctorate degree in International Development

Talent: Contemporary Dance

Scholastic Honors: MSU Dean’s List, Psy Chi National Psychology Honor Society; Gamma Sigma Alpha National Panhellenic Honors Society

Career Ambition: To pursue a career in International Policy

Local Competition Sponsor: Miss Capital City Scholarship Pageant

State Competition Sponsor: Miss Michigan Scholarship Organization

courtesy of miss america website

Miss Mississippi | Sarah Beth James. Miss America 2011 Contestant

Sarah Beth James
Madison, Mississippi
Age: 20

Education:
Madison Central High School
Mississippi State University

Platform Issue: Donate Life—Promoting Organ and Tissue Donation

Scholastic Ambition: To obtain a Bachelor’s degree in Communications

Talent: Piano

Scholastic Honors: Shackouls Honors College; MSU President’s Scholar (4.0 GPA/ Class Rank: 1st of 2924); MSU Academic Excellence Scholarship

Career Ambition: To work in the music industry, either in public relations or music production; I would ultimately like to own a music production studio or company.

Local Competition Sponsor: Miss Metro Jackson

State Competition Sponsor: Miss Mississippi Corporation

courtesy of miss america website

Miss Minnesota | Kathryn Knuttila. Miss America 2011 Contestant

Kathryn Knuttila
Detroit Lakes, Minnesota
Age: 23

Education:
Detroit Lakes High School
McNally Smith College of Music

Platform Issue: Inspiring America: Crowning the Good in Your Neighborhood

Scholastic Ambition: To obtain a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Music Composition

Talent: Piano

Scholastic Honors: Music merit scholarship recipient to Belmont University in Nashville, TN and to McNally Smith College of Music in St. Paul, MN

Career Ambition: To become a successful composer

Local Competition Sponsor: Miss Twin Cities

State Competition Sponsor: Miss Minnesota Scholarship Organization

courtesy of miss america website

Miss Missouri | Erika Hebron. Miss America 2011 Contestant

Erika Hebron
O'Fallon, Missouri
Age: 23

Education:
St. Dominic High School
Oklahoma City University

Platform Issue: Asthma Awareness Education

Scholastic Ambition: To obtain a Bachelor’s degree in Performing Arts

Talent: Lyrical Dance

Scholastic Honors: Graduated Magna Cum Laude, President’s Honor Roll, Phi Eta Sigma Honor Society

Career Ambition: To become an entertainer in the dance and musical theater field

Local Competition Sponsor: Miss Gateway St. Louis

State Competition Sponsor: Miss Missouri Scholarship Organization

courtesy of miss america website