#United States #Frederick #Miss America #Hood College #Miss Maryland

Hood College Forms Partnership with Miss Maryland's Teen for Scholarships

Hood College is excited to unveil a groundbreaking partnership with Miss Maryland's Teen and Miss America's Scholarship Foundation, furthering its commitment to empower young women through education. This collaboration will introduce a series of prestigious scholarships aimed at participants and titleholders of the Miss Maryland’s Teen programs, effective from the fall 2026 academic year.

Full-Tuition Scholarships for Winners

Under this new initiative, winners of the Miss Maryland's Teen and Miss America's Teen competitions will receive full-tuition scholarships upon their admission to Hood College. Additionally, local titleholders participating in these competitions will now be eligible for a substantial $33,000 scholarship, a significant increase over the previous $5,000 scholarship that was available. This shift in scholarship offerings marks a remarkable enhancement in financial support for these talented young women pursuing higher education.

Hood College has built a strong reputation for fostering leadership, confidence, and active community engagement—principles that align closely with the core values of Miss Maryland's Teen and the Miss America's Scholarship Foundation. The college aims to provide these young women not only with educational opportunities but also with meaningful mentorship as they navigate their academic and leadership journeys.

Empowering Women for a New Era

Robin Fleming, the Chairman of the Board and CEO of the Miss America's Scholarship Foundation, expressed enthusiasm for this partnership: "As Miss America enters a new era focused on empowering women to lead with purpose, this collaboration with Hood College is a powerful example of that mission in action. By investing in education, Hood College opens doors for Miss America’s Teen winners, transforming achievements into opportunities and fostering impactful leadership for enduring change."

Sonia Bowie, a former state titleholder and current assistant in the doctoral program at Hood College, also shared her excitement. "We are thrilled to have a scholarship partnership between Hood College and the Miss Maryland organization, the preliminary to the iconic Miss America Pageant. This extraordinary commitment is a celebration of the hard work, leadership skills, and potential of young women across Maryland. We are deeply grateful to Hood College for their profound commitment to investing in the future of these remarkable leaders."

Continued Support for Women’s Education

The scholarships will be available to eligible students starting their journey at Hood College in the fall of 2026. As an independent liberal arts college, Hood offers a diverse range of academic programs, including 30 bachelor’s degrees, a variety of pre-professional programs, and numerous graduate degree options. The college is located in the historic city of Frederick, Maryland, which is within proximity to major metropolitan areas such as Washington, D.C. and Baltimore, providing students with ample opportunities for internships and real-world experience.

This landmark partnership not only enhances the educational landscape for young women involved in competitive pageantry but also reflects a wider societal commitment to fostering female empowerment through educational scholarships. The significance of such initiatives cannot be overstated, as they pave the way for future generations of women leaders, innovators, and change-makers.

In conclusion, Hood College and Miss Maryland's Teen are setting an inspiring example of how educational institutions can support the ambitions and aspirations of young women. By working together, they are committed to transforming lives and promoting leadership in the pursuit of academic excellence.