Castleton Alumna Crowned Miss VT

Danielle Morse ’21, who studied Nursing at Castleton, was named the winner of the 2021 Miss Vermont pageant.

The New Haven, Vermont, native first set her sights on the Miss Vermont title as a freshman in high school. That year, Morse spent more than a month at the University of Vermont Children’s Hospital following complications from an appendectomy. After that experience, Morse became the 2014 Children’s Miracle Network Hospital Champion for Vermont. She met former Miss Vermont Jeanelle Achee at a hospital fundraiser.

Now, Achee is an operating room nurse. Morse will soon follow in her footsteps as a surgical nurse at Porter Medical Center, a small hospital located in Middlebury, Vermont. Her encounter with Achee, combined with her hospital stay, influenced her career path.

As Miss Vermont, Morse travels across the state making appearances at different organizations and fundraising events such as the Boys and Girls Club and UVM Children’s Hospital golf fundraiser.

In addition to her duties as Miss Vermont, she also serves as a volunteer firefighter.

Morse believes her Castleton education built a tenacity in her to achieve her lofty goals.

“My experience at Castleton taught me that no matter how many times you are pushed down or fail to never give up on yourself,” she said.

Morse will compete in the 100th annual Miss America competition this December.

Read the full story: CASTLETON.EDU/MISSVT