Meet Jaryn Franklin, Miss Illinois 2016. She is a Registered Nurse, Advocate for the Disabled, Scholar, and an Inspiration for many.
Jaryn Franklin, BSN RN, was named Miss Illinois on June 18, 2016. Jaryn, a native of East Moline, is a graduate of United Township High School, Blackhawk College, and Trinity College of Nursing and Health Sciences. At the time of the Miss Illinois Pageant in June, Jaryn is a Registered Nurse at Unity Point Health Trinity in Rock Island. She plans to use her scholarships to obtain a Doctorate of Nursing Practice.
Jaryn’s road to Miss America began in November 2015 when she won the title of Miss Blackhawk Valley. She is the first Miss Blackhawk Valley to win the title of Miss Illinois since 1959. She views her Miss Illinois title as a means to further her platform of “Advocating for Individuals with Disabilities” by bringing an awareness of those living with physical, mental, and/or sensory disabilities. Her message incudes education and awareness about different types of disabilities, the importance of acceptance and tolerance, encouragement to help others through volunteerism, and a challenge to help eliminate discrimination and bullying.
The Miss America Organization is a 501(c) 4 non-profit organization and the largest single scholarship source for young women. MAO awards millions of dollars in cash scholarships and in-kind tuition waivers every year at the local, state and national levels. Miss America preliminary program contestants have raised over $14 million for The Children’s Miracle Network this year alone. MAO is one of the nation’s leading achievement programs for young women.
