Miss Earth USA announced their newly crowned 2022 winners for the Teen, Mrs., and Miss divisions of the competition. As part of their coronation, these three crowned representatives pledge to raise awareness about environmental issues and advocate for more sustainable living throughout their reign as the 2022 titleholders.
The much-anticipated 2022 Miss Earth USA title went to Miss Pennsylvania Earth, Natalia Salmon. Natalia works as an Asset Services Intern at Cushman and Wakefield. She is the founder of Squad Limitless, an organization dedicated to working with children and young adults to empower them to discover their true identities and realize their full potential via developing their emotional intelligence. Natalia has set-up free, downloadable age-specific workbooks that guides user on this discovery process. In addition, she is a certified Climate Reality Leader, a LEED Green Associate Certification, and a Crisis Text Counselor. Natalia has logged 900 hours of community service with many organizations including Habitat for Humanity, Hands on DC, and has participated in many local park clean ups.
“I am over the moon, and I still have no words. I have so many plans ahead especially to continue growing Squad Limitless and fighting for climate change. Just trying to bring the world together in a more peaceful way,” says Natalia. “Working with the Miss Earth USA organization has been the best experience and the group of women I competed with have been incredible. I would give every single one of them this crown.”
Natalia succeeds last year’s winner and Miss Earth Air 2021, Marisa Butler. In Fall 2022, she will represent the USA at the international Miss Earth competition based in the Philippines. Miss Earth is recognized as one of the largest and most respected pageants in the world.
The first runner up and winner of the Miss Earth USA Air title went to Faith Porter of District of Columbia. The remaining Elemental Queen titles went to Brielle Simmons – Miss Earth USA Water, Hannah Welborn-Lewis – Miss Earth USA Fire, and Emma Loney – Miss Earth USA Eco.
In the Teen Miss Earth USA division, the coveted title went to Teen Miss Pennsylvania Presley Patrick. Presley is a freshman college student at Coastal Carolina University studying Communications with hopes of becoming a news anchor for a major news corporation or a sports broadcaster following graduation. As with every Miss Earth USA representative, Presley takes on an environmental cause as her pageant platform. With her college being near the ocean, her focus is on Sea The Future – a local organization she founded that is dedicated to cleaning up public beaches.
“I am really excited to have this national title now so I can go out there to do community service and make a difference. I am also looking forward to promoting my personal platform Sea The Future which is committed to cleaning up our shores and protecting our precious marine life. I am simply cannot wait to bring awareness to these issues on a greater level with the support of the Miss Earth USA organization,” the newly crowned teen queen said.
In addition to her work with Sea The Future, Presley also enjoys volunteering at local food banks, animal shelters, and hospitals. She is also the recipient of the Coastal Carolina merit award scholarship for scholastic achievement.
The first runner-up was Teen Miss Georgia Isabella Bloedorn.
The Mrs. USA Earth title went to Christine Rich of Delaware. Christine is the owner of Blue Palm Airbrush Studio and is a Technology Professor at Wilmington University. She is currently completing her Doctorate in Higher Education Leadership & Innovation. After swapping from Mrs. to Dr., Christine hopes to continue advancing technological resources in higher education and to inspire even more young entrepreneurs to make their dreams come true.
“I am so elated! This has been a four-year journey for me and I am looking forward to going into my community and making an impact,” says Christine. “I want to use this title to put focus on my work with oceanic conservation that I do through my non-profit the Spout Initiative. With this organization I create free lesson plans for teachers who are then able to seamlessly incorporate those ideas and practices of environmentalism into their own lesson plans. I also want to highlight all the other women that have been on this journey with me and put focus on their work and what they’re doing in their local communities as well. It is our collective work that will truly make meaningful impact for the planet.”
Christine is proud to be one of her university’s Green Team Organization Leaders, Invisible Disabilities Ambassador, and a Center for the Inland Bays volunteer. She also runs a TEDTalk for women entrepreneurship, is a member and volunteer for the Science Cheerleaders, and believes in leaving behind a legacy full of gratitude, inspiration, and passion.
In the Mrs. Division, first runner up went to Maggie Lemay of New Hampshire.
The 2022 Miss Earth USA activities and competition were held January 6th-8th at the Orange County Convention Center with the preliminary rounds being hosted by the Rosen Centre Hotel. Delegates from fifty States and District of Columbia competed in the prestigious pageant including activewear, runway, and eveningwear preliminaries, followed by the final judging and final coronation.
Presented by AquaGoat, the Miss Earth USA final coronation was broadcast live on the VIP Pageantry channel. Other sponsors for the event include HOTWORX, Beauty Queens Galore, and Queenly. Additional events during the week included a charity gala benefitting Save the Manatee, Central Florida Animal Reserve, and Seal Society of San Diego, a presentation of a new national crown designed by Andrew Ibos, and a community service project cleaning 400 pounds of trash from Orlando parks.
