For the first time in the history of the Miss America Competition, a firefighter will be vying for the title.
Danielle Morse, who has been volunteering at the Whiting Fire Department for the last eight years, will represent the state of Vermont at the annual competition this December. She is a recent graduate of Castleton University, where she obtained a degree in nursing.
"I love being a volunteer firefighter because it allows me to be part of my community," Morse said. "It’s shown me what I’m capable of. I’ve pushed myself harder and farther and achieved more than I ever imagined I could.”
Morse says she watched her older cousins volunteer their time as firefighters and decided to join the cadet program as soon as she was old enough.
“To join the cadet program, you had to be 15 years old,” she said. “I signed up the very first meeting after my 15th birthday."
The 22-year-old has launched a program to support children's hospitals and has already raised over $10,000 to purchase comfort items such as blankets and stuffed animals for pediatric patients.
The 100th edition of the Miss America Competition will be held Dec. 16 at Mohegan Sun Casino in Connecticut.
