July 27, 2016

Do You Know Jaryn Franklin, the new Miss Illinois?

Registered Nurse, Advocate for the Disabled, Scholar, and an Inspiration for Many.

Hinton,-Becky-colorBy Becky Lee Hinton
Executive Director, The Fountains Senior Living Community

Jaryn Franklin, RN, BSN, of East Moline, Illinois, 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 currently employed and on temporary leave, as 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 whenJaryn-Franklin-Miss-Illinois she won the title of Miss Blackhawk Valley.She is the first Miss Blackhawk Valley to win the title of Miss Illinois. She views her Miss Illinois title as a means to further her platform of “Special People, Special Ways – Advocating for the Disabled” by bringing an awareness of those living with physical, mental, and/or sensory disabilities. Her message includes 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 nations leading achievement programs for young women.

Jaryn-Franklin-Miss-Illinois-crownThere will be a Homecoming and Send-Off celebration in Jaryn’s honor held on Saturday, August 13th at Jumers Event Center in Rock Island which will include a style show, performance, and reception. At this celebration, you will get a preview of Jaryn’s Miss America Competition wardrobe and see her talent presentation. To learn more about this event, or to purchase tickets, email Nancy Lee at blackhawkvalley@mchsi.com.

You can watch Jaryn, along with the other 51 contestants, competing in the Miss America Pageant on September 11th on WQAD, our local ABC affiliate.

Becky Lee Hinton is the Executive Director of The Fountains Senior Living Community in Bettendorf. To learn more about The Fountains, call Becky at (563) 332-5775.

Filed Under: Community

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