Andolyn Medina, a member of the Xi Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. will be competing for the coveted title of Miss America 2022 at Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, CT on December 16th. The reigning Miss District of Columbia, Medina will be the only Divine Nine member to compete in this year’s pageant.
Medina is the daughter of two naval officers. Her mother retired after 20 years as a Lieutenant Commander and her father retired after 24 years as a Lieutenant. She followed in her parents’ footsteps, joining the Navy in 2019. “My parents believe heavily in giving back, and so I began to join them in volunteering at the age of four,” says Medina. “I remain an avid volunteer to this day and encourage others to find their passion and give back.”
Outspoken on social justice issues, Medina is passionate about creating real change by spreading awareness about human trafficking and evidence-based body positivity. As a volunteer for P31 Girls, she served as an Emotional Mental Health and Wellness Mentor and Coach. While volunteering with FAIR Girls, she conducted several webinar series on the adultification of Black girls. She also moderated youth panels and conducted Human Trafficking 101 training nationwide. A talented performer, she is also a classically trained opera singer and has been using the gift of her voice to serve others since beginning her musical training at age 4. Her love of performing and service “ultimately became the foundation for her platform, Peer Empowerment and Community Engagement (P.E.A.C.E),” a social justice community comprised of students who are committed to making an impact on their campuses and globally. She has had the pleasure of singing the National Anthem for President Obama at a rally in Hampton, Virginia, sang for a sold out crowd of over 17,000 people for the NBA Washington Wizards, The Capital City Go-Go (NBA G league of the Wizards) and the WNBA Washington Mystics.
“During (her) recent externship with NCMEC (National Center for Missing and Exploited Children), (she) learned that there was a real need for education and awareness for human trafficking and to help and demand an end to missing children, human trafficking, child sexual exploitation, and prevent child victimization. So in 2017, in addition to continuing to encourage and inspire youth to become active in their community, (she) changed her platform to Demand an End: Stop Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking.”
Medina is a 2x alumna of George Washington University (GWU), where she obtained her M.A. in Forensic Psychology and M.Psy. in Clinical Psychology. For her undergraduate studies, she received a full-ride scholarship to Hollins University as Miss Virginia’s Outstanding Teen in 2012. In addition to pageant preparations, and managing a full course load, she practices as a licensed therapist in Washington DC and Virginia. Furthermore, she serves as a student representative and Clinic Instructional Assistant for GWU, allowing her to advocate for both her colleagues in faculty meetings and in training the next cohort of psychologists. An avid volunteer, to date she has over 7,800 volunteer hours.
If crowned the 100th Miss America, Medina would make history as the first Afro-Latina, due to her Puerto Rican and African American ancestry, and she would also be the first military member to be wear the crown. She is hopeful that becoming Miss America will show the next generation of girls that they can have it all. “I feel blessed to be in the position I am in and I thank God for all of the many blessings he’s given me,” says Medina. “I am humbled by all of the many memorable moments I have experienced thus far and look to the future for many more.” To learn more about Andolyn Medina, visit her website here.
Currently, she is raising money for the Miss America Foundation as a part of the Miss America 2022 competition. To donate to her cause, click here.
We wish Andolyn much success in her pursuit of the Miss America title and welcome you to leave your well wishes in the comments below!
