Ashley Massiah, a 22-year-old from St. Croix, was chosen as the new Miss Virgin Islands at a competition that was held on July 13 at the John H. Woodson Jr. High School. Currently a student at the University of the Virgin Islands, she is majoring in criminal justice. During her year as Miss Virgin Islands, Massiah will travel throughout the U.S. Virgin Islands advocating her platform issue "Breaking the Silence to Violence: Addressing the Violence in Our Community." She has suffered the loss of two uncles due to violence, and she wants the community to get involved and help law enforcement put a stop to the senseless violence plaguing our islands.
She will be traveling to Atlantic City, New Jersey, on Sept. 2 to reunite with the Miss America Class of 2014 since their orientation in Orlando, Florida, at the Miss America Outstanding Teen Competition two weeks ago. Massiah, along with 52 other title holders from across the nation and Puerto Rico, will compete for the title of 2014 Miss America. For a sneak peak at what Massiah will wear and perform at the Miss America Competition, attend the Miss Virgin Islands Scholarship Organization’s "Back to the Boardwalk Trunk Show" at 8 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 31, at UVI’s cafeteria on the St. Croix campus. The donation is $10, and all proceeds will support the Miss Virgin Islands Scholarship Fund.
The Miss America Organization, after seven years in Las Vegas, will be returning back to its home where it first began on the beaches of Atlantic City, N.J., in 1921. The Miss America Organization, the world’s largest provider of scholarships to women, awards over $45 million each year in scholarships to thousands of young women to help further their goals of higher education and achieve their dreams.
For the next two weeks, Massiah will participate in various events throughout Atlantic City and Philadelphia to celebrate the competition’s return home, and she will compete in five preliminary judging segments: pre-pageant interview, evening wear, swim wear, onstage question and talent. This year, one contestant will be voted by America to make the semi-finalists. A vote can be cast for Ashley Massiah at www.missamerica.org/videocontest. Tune in to watch the live broadcast of the Miss America 2014 Competition at 9 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 15, on ABC.
The Miss Virgin Islands Scholarship Organization provides opportunities for young women to achieve their personal and professional ambitions. Contestants also participate in community service activities and develop leadership skills that help them excel in their chosen career and life goals. The organization has made available more than $10,000 in scholarships and in-kind funds to four young women: winner, Ashley Massiah; first runner-up, Cahtriellah Shabazz; Jessica Willock and Naydyeyah Acoy-Thomas.