San Diegan Marina Inserra failed to be among the 16 semifinalists in Sunday night’s 2015 Miss America Pageant in Atlantic City, N.J.
Inserra was among three contestants chosen to be Instagram correspondents for the remainder of the pageant, which was won by Miss New York, Kira Kazantsev.
Inserra competed in the swimsuit and evening wear competitions on Tuesday, sang in the talent competition Wednesday and took part in the stage interview portion of the preliminary competition Thursday.
All the contestants were required to choose an issue they would address if they were selected as Miss America. Inserra’s issue was breast cancer awareness, a choice prompted by the death of one of her grandmothers when she was 11.
The 23-year-old Inserra encouraged 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. 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, Michigan and New York for the most by a state.
The pageant has been won by Miss New York for three consecutive years.
— City News Service
