First Posted: 5/28/2014
Marina Maida, Miss Luzerne County’s Outstanding Teen and 2012 Pittston Tomato Festival Queen, is set to compete for Miss Pennsylvania’s Outstanding Teen on June 13.
An honor student and senior varsity cheeleader at Pittston Area High School, Maida’s platform is “The Power of One: Bullying and Suicide Awareness.” She began reading to students at the Pittston Area Primary Center in hopes of building self-esteem and increasing awareness and sensitivity around the topic of bullying.
Maida is a Student Council Representative, an officer in the Zero Conflict Club (Pittston’s Area’s Anti-Bullying Club), a member of the National Honor Society, Key Club and Stand Tall Against Drugs and Alcohol.
In addition to her extra-curricular activities, Maida is very active within her community raising over $,400 for the Children’s Miracle Network, the national platform for Miss America/America’s Outstanding Teen Organization. She is also a junior advisor for youth cheerleading and a committee member for the Jamie Baker Memorial Scholarship Fund, in honor of a fellow cheerleader who died tragically at 15.
Last season, she helped organize a “Pink Out” at a high school football game to raise funds for “Making Strides for Breast Cancer,” as well as participating in “Cabaret for Cancer,” a fundraiser for “Candy’s Place” a wellnesss facility for cancer patients and volunteering at Hope Lodge, bringing snacks and visiting with cancer patients undergoing treatments.
Maida is the daughter of Brenda Maida of Pittston Township and Salvatore Maida of Pittston. She is the granddaughter of John and Ann Marie Wojcik of Yatesville, and the Maira and the late Salvatore Maida of Pittston. She is the great granddauighter of Rose Maida.
Pennsylvania’s Outstanding Teen is affiliated with the Miss America Organization in which contestants will be judged on a private interview, fitness, talent, evening wear, onstage question and academic achievement.
The winner of the contest will recieve a full scholarship to DeSales University as well as a $3,000 scholarship and will represent Pennsylvania at the Miss America’s Outstanding Teen Pageant in Flordia in July. Miss America has awarded $45 million in cash and scholarship asistanc since it’s inceptionm.
Maida would like to thank her on stage sponsors of Patty’s Sub Division in Avoca and the Sapphire Salon and Spa in Pittston for their support and encouragement.
