San Diegan Marina Inserra will learn Sunday whether she will be among the 15 contestants who will compete in tonight’s finals of the 2015 Miss America Pageant in Atlantic City, N.J.
Inserra competed in the swimsuit and evening wear competitions on Tuesday, sang in the talent competition Wednesday and participated in the stage interview portion of the preliminary competition Thursday.
All the contestants are required to choose an issue they will address if they are selected as Miss America. Inserra’s issue is breast cancer cancer awareness, a choice prompted by the death of one of her grandmothers when she was 11 years old.
The 23-year-old Inserra encourages young men and women to lead healthy lifestyles in an attempt to prevent cancer in honor of her grandmother.
Inserra works at SeaWorld as an educator in its Zoological Department and performer. She has worked at the theme park since 2010 and was the host and singer for its “Shamu’s Christmas” show in December 2012 , and as a mermaid and flamingo in the “Halloween Spooktacular” from 2010-13.
Inserra described her career ambition as becoming SeaWorld’s public spokesperson.
Inserra is a graduate of San Diego State University where she majored in theatre performance. Her goals include earning a master’s degree in business administration.
A Californian last won the Miss America pageant in 1982 when Debra Sue Maffett became the sixth Miss California to win. California’s six victories are tied with Ohio, Oklahoma and Michigan for the most by a state.
— City New Service
