Mission Statement

About the Miss Illinois Scholarship Association

The Miss Illinois Scholarship Association is a duly accredited preliminary in the Miss America Organization helping to provide the young women of Illinois who compete in its local and state programs, opportunities to enhance their personal & professional development through the organization's scholarship programs.

We are a Scholarship Program

Scholarship funds are contributed by national corporate sponsors who commit their support to the professional advancement of young women. At the local, state, and national Miss America competitions, more than $40 million dollars are made available every year. A critical component of the over-all organization, this scholarship program enables recipients to apply these grants towards furthering their education and training which will greatly enhance the probability that they will achieve their ultimate goals. Any canceled or unused portions of the monetary grants are held in trust by the Miss America Organization for future awards.

The scholarship fund is based on a rich scholastic tradition that has been the cornerstone of the Miss America program since 1945. Today, educational advancement, achievement and public service continue to be the primary objectives of the Miss America Organization in the face of changing roles for women in American society.

The Role of Miss Illinois

Miss Illinois serves a vital purpose in our community. The young women who compete for this position are all incredibly hard working, educated, dedicated, and selfless. Miss Illinois' primary function will be to promote character education in dozens of schools across the state of Illinois, as well as making public appearances & speaking engagements at a variety of community & business events and charitable functions. Miss Illinois will be looked upon as a pillar of the community, a role model to children, a goodwill ambassador for charitable causes, an independent businesswoman, and a leader who embodies all of the physical, mental, educational & spiritual qualities of the successful modern woman of today.

PROMOTING EDUCATION & SERVICE

All of our many valued sponsors can take great pride that their valued support helps our volunteer organization to continue to promote education and service to the community through one of the nation's leading achievement organizations. Established in 1921, the Miss America Organization is one of the largest scholarship programs for women in the world, awarding more than $40 million dollars in cash awards and college tuition assistance annually. The dedicated women who compete for the title of Miss America donate more than 500,000 hours each year to make M.A.O. one of the largest community service organizations in the country.