Nia Andrews, a recent West Chester University alumna, gained a new title as Miss Philadelphia on Saturday, Feb. 25. Andrews recently held the title of Miss Bucks County in 2016 and Miss WCU in 2015.
Andrews graduated in December 2016 with a B.S in biology and a minor in dance.
“I really didn’t know anything about pageants,” said Andrews.
Her first pageant was the Miss WCU competition. After taking home the Miss WCU crown on her first go-round, Andrews decided to continue in pageantry.
Inspired by Miss WCU pageant director, Michael Hartman ’02, she went out for Miss Philadelphia in 2016.
“It’s a tradition for whoever wins Miss WCU to also try out for Miss Philadelphia, if they feel comfortable,” said Andrews.
Andrews got third runner-up at Miss Philadelphia in 2016, but after competing and winning the Miss Bucks County Scholarship Pageant, she got the opportunity to represent Bucks County at the Miss Pennsylvania Scholarship Pageant in Pittsburgh.
At the Miss Pennsylvania pageant, there were over 40 women competing.
“It was intimidating at first,” said Andrews. “I had to get out of my own head. I told myself if I try to be the best version of myself then that’ll relay to the judges.”
Out of over 40 contestants, Andrews came in third.
Andrews took home the crown in Philadelphia after competing in interview, talent, evening gown, on-stage question and lifestyle and fitness in swimwear.
Andrews’s platform, A Fighting Chance for Every Baby: Premature Birth Awareness In Support for their Families, is close to her heart.
Her younger sister was born three months before expected.
“The doctors were telling us that my sister only had a 40 percent chance of survival,” said Andrews.
Andrews will advocate around issues relating to premature birth during her year of service in Philadelphia by joining forces with the March of Dimes organization. She also hopes to host a benefit concert in support of premature birth research.
Andrews is set to compete a second time at the Miss Pennsylvania pageant, representing the city of Philadelphia in June.
Sunny Morgan is a second-year student majoring in communication studies with a minor in journalism. She can be reached at SM848270@wcupa.edu. Her Twitter is @SunnyMorgan97.