Maura Spence-Carroll, Miss Colorado 2021, is an active-duty soldier in the U.S. Army stationed at Fort Carson, CO serving as an all source intelligence analyst (35F). In addition, she is studying communications with a minor in journalism and plans to transfer to the University of Colorado, utilizing her scholarship awards to graduate debt-free with a Bachelor’s Degree in Communications. Thanks to the scholarship programs of the Miss Colorado Scholarship Organization and the Miss America Organization, Maura’s future plans also include pursuing a Juris Doctorate and working for the American Civil Liberties Union.
Maura advocates for a greater understanding of mental health issues impacting the military and veteran communities. She is outspoken regarding her own experiences in receiving mental healthcare services. Encouraging service members to receive proactive mental healthcare and advocating for interconnected policy and cultural changes within the military are at the heart of her efforts; most notably culminating in the opportunity to travel to the Pentagon to discuss suicide prevention with the Vice Chief of Staff of the Army, the Sergeant Major of the Army, and other leaders in the United States military.
As Miss Colorado, Maura speaks to groups of all ages and demographics on the topics of accessibility to mental healthcare, self-awareness, self-care skills and the importance of acknowledging that resiliency and vulnerability go hand-in-hand. In particular, she enjoys visiting schools and sharing her program, "Be Kind to Your Mind," which teaches children and young adults age-appropriate terms and various approaches for addressing mental health challenges. She has also had the opportunity to connect with veterans and civilian citizens alike in the role an active, involved community plays in suicide prevention and overall well-being. Maura has the unique ability to share her experiences as a soldier while connecting on a personal and emotional level with veterans and their families.
Maura was honored to represent the state of Colorado and the United States Army at the 100th anniversary Miss America Competition, where she made history as the first active duty military service member to compete for the job of Miss America.
You can follow Maura’s year of service on Instagram at @MissAmericaCO and on Facebook at Miss Colorado 2021 Maura Spence Carroll.
Maura's Socials:
Personal IG: https://www.instagram.com/maura.aisling/
Titleholder IG: https://www.instagram.com/missamericaco/
The Crown IRL
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecrownirl/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thecrownirl
Shelby
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shelby_lentz/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shelbylentzmusic
Miss Southwest MI
Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/missmisouthwest/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Miss-Southwest-Michigan-and-Miss-Sunset-Coast-Scholarship-Pageants-129488850409140
