ASU alum Alexa Rogers to compete for Miss America title
Alexa Rogers credits Barrett, the Honors College at Arizona State University with helping her win the title of Miss Arizona 2014.
“The interview is one of the largest parts of the competition. Being in Barrett really helped with that because to be successful in the interview, you have to study, know about current events and speak articulately; all things I worked on while I was at Barrett,” said Alexa, who won the Miss Arizona title in June. She will represent the Grand Canyon State in the Miss America pageant in Atlantic City, New Jersey, in September.
Alexa, a 23-year-old Scottsdale native, was an honors student from 2009-2012. She graduated from ASU in 2013 with a degree in business management and a minor in Spanish.
Her road to the Miss America pageant began when a friend convinced her to compete in the Miss Phoenix pageant – her first pageant ever – in January. She won and immediately began preparing to compete in the Miss Arizona pageant, where again, she walked away with the title.
She plans to use the scholarships she won in the Miss Arizona pageant to pursue a master’s in business marketing at ASU.
Alexa, who took up to 18 units per semester and worked three jobs while an undergraduate, approaches being Miss Arizona the same way she approached her studies: by working hard and keeping her goals in mind.
“It really is like a job. You have to go out and make appearances, advocate for a cause and raise funds,” said Alexa, whose platform focuses on empowering homeless and impoverished children through The Real Gift Foundation, an organization started by her family in 2000.
She also works as the national social media coordinator for the National Association for the Education of Homeless Children and Youth, pushing the organization’s message out through Facebook, electronic newsletters, Twitter, Instagram and other channels.
In addition, she carves out time for working out and practicing her interviewing and speaking skills – which entails studying current events and issues surrounding homelessness and children – in preparation for the swimsuit and interview components of the Miss America pageant.
Whatever the outcome of the national pageant, Alexa says she’s grateful for the experience.
“It’s rewarding to give back to my community and have the chance to let people know that whatever you put your mind to, you can achieve,” she said.