Miss PA Scholarship Foundation, Inc.

Lizzie Shacklett, age 15, was crowned Miss Pennsylvania’s Teen at the historic Appell Center for the Performing Arts in York, PA on June 16, 2023.  Awarded an $8,000 scholarship, Lizzie will go on to compete in Miss America’s Teen competition in January 2024.

A native of Wayne, PA, she currently attends the Agnes Irwin School in Rosemont, PA and hopes to pursue a career as a journalist or lawyer.

Lizzie was the overall talent winner for her dramatic performance of Irish Step Dancing to “Warriors.” An accomplished Irish Step Dancer, she placed 7th at the World Irish Dance Championships; a Seven-time Irish Dancing World and 2nd at U.S. Nationals.

As Miss Pennsylvania’s Teen, Lizzie will promoter her Community Service Initiative: “Literacy is Lit” – Finding & Filling the Literacy Gap. Literacy is a
necessary tool needed to navigate a successful life, yet 1 in 4 children in America grow up without learning how to read and millions lack access to books.  Lizzie hosts book drives across the state and has collected and distributed over 7,300 books, estimated at over $15,000 and also partnered with Book Smiles, a non-profit that aligns with my mission to “irrigate book deserts.”

Jaylen Baron, age 18, was crowned Miss Pennsylvania’s Outstanding Teen 2021 at the historic Appell Center for the Performing Arts in York, PA.  Awarded a $7,000 scholarship, she will represent the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania at the Miss America’s Outstanding Teen Competition in July in Orlando, FL.

A native of Eagleville, Pennslvania, Jaylen Jaylen performed a Musical Theater Dance, “Show Off” from The Drowsy Chaperone.

A graduate of Mount St. Joseph Academy, she hopes to obtain a degree in broadcast journalism from the University of South Carolina.

Her social impact initiative, Cancer: No One Fights Alone! was inspired by her mother’s courageous battle with pancreatic cancer.  She has raised $50,000 for Pancreatic Cancer Research through the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, created JBAD Heroes, a fundraising team for the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, and served as Spokesperson and fundraiser for the Breathing Room Foundation, a program that offers support to families affected by cancer.

She hopes to inspire others through her own loss and offer empathy and compassion to those families going through similar circumstances and continue to raise funds and awareness for early detection for Pancreatic cancer.

Meghan Sinisi, age 26, was crowned Miss Pennsylvania 2021  at the historic Appell Center for the Performing Arts in York, PA.  Awarded a $10,000 scholarship, she will represent the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania at the 100th Miss America Competition in December at the Mohegan Sun Casino & Resort in Uncasville, CT.

A native of Altoona, PA, Meghan performed a baton routine to “Don’t Stop Me Now” by Queen and was the recipient of an additional $1,000 scholarship for the Social Impact Initiative Award.

She is a 2017 graduate of Syracuse University with a Bachelor of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders, as well as the University of Missouri with a Master of Health Science in Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences. While at Syracuse, Meghan was the “Orange Girl” Feature Baton Twirler for the Syracuse University Marching Band from 2013-2017 and performed in the pregame show at Superbowl XLVIII (48) in 2014.

She is a Speech-Language Pathologist who aspires to provide early interventions for children with speech, language, and communication delays. Sinisi hopes to one day own and operate an interdisciplinary therapy clinic.

Meghan hopes to inspire autism appreciation through her social impact initiative and 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, “From a New Perspective” which is dedicated to the acceptance, respect, and empowerment of autistic people.  She works with organizations such as Central PA Autism Community, Special Olympics, American Speech, Language, and Hearing Association to amplify their voices and ignite change for inclusion.  She has developed educational activities, tools, and resources including a weekly podcast series titled “Spectrum Sundays”, an “Acceptance Ambassador” pledge, school visits, and autism training for students and professionals. Through her nonprofit, she hopes to fund the installation of sensory equipment in public spaces, so community events are more accessible for children on the autism spectrum.

As Miss Pennsylvania, she will travel the state as our state representative for the Miss America Organization, sharing her social impact initiative and supporting a variety of community events and organizations throughout her year of service.

Tiffany Seitz, Miss Laurelwood, will represent the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania at the forthcoming Miss America Scholarship Competition. She will also receive more than $8,000 in direct scholarship as well as several in-kind scholarship opportunities.

Seitz, 23, is a resident of Freeport, PA. She is a graduate of Grove City College with a Bachelor of Science in Entrepreneurship and minor in Communications. Her social impact platform is “Adoption Advocacy – Restoring Hope, Transforming Lives.” Tiffany was tested cocaine positive and addicted at birth, and not expected to survive. She resided in foster care before eventually being adopted, so her platform is extremely personal, driving her passion to educate the public about fostering and adoption, ultimately helping children in the system to find forever homes and keep their dreams alive.

At the Miss Pennsylvania Scholarship Competition, Tiffany performed a Musical Theatre Jazz Dance to “Moving Lines” from SMASH. She was a preliminary award winner for Evening Wear / Social Impact.