Over the years, the annual Miss America Organization, established in 1921, has evolved from a beauty contest to an organisation that gives winners scholarships so they can support important social causes. From relying solely on a contestant’s beauty, the organisation has now started focusing on the brains of those who participate.

Back then, the swimsuit category of the pageant, in which women competed against one another based on how they appeared when wearing bikinis or one-piece swimsuits, was arguably the most well-liked event. The organisation bid farewell to this competition in 2018 and redesigned its programme to give winners the chance to advocate for the social causes of their choice through scholarships.

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The Miss New York 2022 winner, Taryn Delanie Smith, has been on the news for bagging first runner-up position in Miss America Pageant 2022. The social initiatives she has been undertaking, following her win in the 2022 pageant, have also been in the limelight.

Who is Taryn Delanie Smith?

Taryn Delanie Smith, winner of Miss New York 2022, was the first runner-up in the 2023 Miss New York America pageant. In Miss America 2023, together with Miss Texas, Miss Georgia, Miss Wisconsin (the winner), and Miss West Virginia, Smith made it to the final round. She moved seamlessly through a number of categories, including Red Carpet Wear, Social Impact Pitch, Job Interview, and was awarded the first runner-up spot in the competition.

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At Saint John’s University, Smith majored in French and Communication Arts. She received a Cum Laude Graduate in Communication and Media Studies and a Summa Cum Laude Graduate in a Master of Science degree in International and Intercultural Communication. At her time in St. John’s, she was also awarded with a Certificate of Academic Excellence. 

Smith began her career by joining Miss America in 2015, as the city of Seattle’s ambassador and representative. She made use of the opportunity given to her through her platform, to speak out in favor of homeless women and kids in Washington State. She attended a number of events in the Seattle region as an organisation representative.

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Before migrating to New York, Smith worked as a store manager and a stylist at a bridal boutique in Seattle, Washington, from 2015 to 2018.

The Miss America 2023 finalist also served as a diplomacy intern for three months in 2019, attending weekly diplomatic, ceremonial, and cultural events on behalf of the company. She also worked on many research projects relating to Latin America, Canada, and the United States.

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After being crowned Miss New York 2022, Smith took to her Instagram and wrote, “Never give up. Please. Whatever dream fuels you, whatever purpose calls you. Please just pursue it with an unyielding sort of joy. Because it is that journey, the one with many turns and obstacles and moments of grief and uncertainty- it is that journey that makes us who we are. New York. Let’s do this. I can’t wait to serve you.”