Broadcast on NBC Thursday, Dec. 19, 2019, 7 p.m. CT
SPRINGFIELD, MO — Former Evangel University basketball star Allie Swanson is competing this week in the Miss America Pageant, representing her home state of Nebraska.
Preliminary competitions were held Sunday and Monday at the Mohegan Earth Expo in Connecticut.
The final night of Miss America competition will be broadcast live on NBC, Thursday, December 19th at 7 p.m. Central.
Allie graduated from Evangel University with honors in 2017, having earned a B.A. in advertising and public relations, with a minor in music business.
The 6’-2” center served three years as a captain on the Evangel Women’s Basketball Team, was a two time NAIA-I All-American, and was selected 3 times for HAAC conference teams.
In the Miss America competition, her platform is “CyberSmartz: Protecting Yourself in a Digital World.”
During the state competition where she was crowned Miss Nebraska 2019, according to an article in the North Platte Telegraph, Swanson won the overall interview award (in a tie), as well as a preliminary on-stage interview award.
She also won a preliminary evening wear award at the state level and was the Miss Nebraska Community Service Award winner.
Allie is a fifth generation Nebraskan and the daughter of Sean & Julie Swanson of Omaha.
She is also the second member of her family to compete in the Miss America competition — older sister Megan Swanson served as Miss Nebraska in 2014.
Perspective from a Miss Missouri
Another Miss America contestant with Springfield roots is Soncee Brown Partida. A Springfield native, Partida is 1985 graduate of Kickapoo High School and a 1989 graduate of Evangel.
“We are so proud to have Allie represent us at Miss America!,” said Partida.
“Since the inception of the program in 1921, one thing has remained true: Miss America remains a role model for many girls. We know that Allie will use this national platform as an Evangel University alum to make a positive impact on everyone she meets.”
Longtime Missouri residents will remember “Soncee Brown” as Miss Missouri 1991 and second runner-up to Miss America 1992.
“Many people don’t know that the four points of the Miss America crown actually stands for style, service, scholarship and success,” Partida added.
“How exciting to know that Allie is representing Evangel University on the national level at Miss America and will shine brilliantly as she exemplifies these four points!”
Partida got her start in a successful broadcast news career with KY3 (NBC-News), while still a student at Evangel. She returned to Springfield earlier this year and is currently the major gifts officer for the Assemblies of God Theological Seminary of Evangel University.
About Evangel & AGTS
Evangel University, with the Assemblies of God Theological Seminary, is a comprehensive Christian university committed to excellence in educating and equipping students to serve the church and society globally.
Evangel and AGTS serve more than 2,300 students from all 50 states and numerous foreign countries, offering 70 undergraduate majors and 19 master’s and doctoral degrees.
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• VIDEO #1 — “A Day in the Life of Allie Swanson,” a recruitment video produced while she was a student-athlete at Evangel University.
• VIDEO #2 — “Everybody,” a parody promotional video produced for the Miss America 2020 competition — sang, written, produced, and directed by Allie Swanson.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=share&v=PD6un2W0SUU&d=n&sfns=mo&app=desktop