NINA IN THE NEW YEAR The night she was crowned, Nina began a rigorous schedule of, both throughout the states and internationally. Her New York City and Syracuse homecoming took place during Mid-November of 2013, which Syracuse Woman Magazine (our sister publication) was a part of. And in 2014, she will travel around 20,000 miles each month and will stay in every destination for no more than 48 hours. “It’s my year of service,” says Nina, and it’s the schedule and suitcase-living Miss America must be dedicated to. The MAO has partnered with Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals to raise funds and awareness for children’s hospitals throughout the United States. Contestants competing in Miss America-sponsored competitions raise donations through appearances and fundraisers that benefit Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals and the Miss America Scholarship Fund. In addition, each new Miss America becomes the goodwill ambassador for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, speaking on behalf of kids treated at children’s hospitals and raising awareness around the country. This is a responsibility that Nina has assumed and she had already been hosting service events in Syracuse and all over New York with her previous titles. “I will be traveling across the country and interacting with children,” Nina said. She also looks forward to promoting the idea of young girls entering the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) field. Nina has an undergraduate degree in brain behavior and cognitive science from the University of Michigan. She earned dean’s list honors, the Michigan Merit Award and was named to the National Honor Society. She has made it known that becoming a doctor is important to her future academic endeavors. “My family definitely influenced me,” Nina said. However, she wanted to make sure she was making the decision for her and not her family. “I chose to compete in Miss America, and I’m going to medical school,” Nina said with pride. “In the past, it was laid out to me. I did this solely on my own and I found the opportunity. I have a sense of worthiness and I put my name on it.” Because being Miss America is a full-time job, Nina says she aims to enter medical school after she completes her year of service. “I have already taken my MCAT,” she said. Is SUNY Upstate Medical University on her radar? “I love the community and it’s always been my home,” Nina said. “[Central New York] truly made me feel like Miss America all the time with its support.” And will she have time to travel to India to share her title with her grandmother and aunt? “I am really hoping I can go back this year,” she said. Nina is second generation American, but she has spent many summers in India — it’s actually where she learned the traditional rochesterWomanMag.com :: january 2013
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