BALTIMORE, Md. -- Morgan State former student
Amanda Ross was crowned Miss Maryland at the 2014 Miss Maryland United States pageant last Sunday (Feb. 16) at the Hilton Baltimore at Camden Yards in Baltimore, Maryland.
"I am just so honored to be the new Miss Maryland United States!" said the Columbia, Md. native. "It means so much to me to be able to serve as a role model in a community that raised me to be the young woman I am now."
"I can't wait to start this journey!"
As a result of her win, Ross will compete in the 2014 Miss United States Pageant to be held July 1-6, 2014 in Washington, D.C.
Ross is a former member of the Morgan State Cheer Bears Cheerleading team and was named 2013 Rookie of the Year during her first season as a Baltimore Ravens Cheerleader.
"It means so much more than just the title!" Ross said about the significance of being a Ravens Cheerleader.
"It means being a role model in the community, it means being a kind person… Someone who has a genuine love for not only cheerleading, but the fans and the city they are in. We do so much in the community and really serve as role models."
"We are extremely delighted to see Amanda reach so many of her goals so quickly," said MSU Cheerleaders coach
Theresa Gibson. "She's made us proud as a Cheer Bear' and she continues to be a positive role model for all that may follow in her footsteps."
Ross is a graduate of Long Reach High School in Columbia (Md.) and currently works as a gymnastics instructor at the YMCA in Baltimore City.
She also volunteers as a reading tutor for the Reading Partners Program. The Program's mission is to help increase reading and literacy levels for elementary school students in low-income areas in Baltimore City.
Ross' first pageant was as a contestant in the Miss Baltimore United States (Nov. 2013), which she won, in order to compete in the Miss Maryland United States Pageant.
