My MAO Retirement

 By Elyssa DiRaddo

It’s crazy to think my time in Miss America is actually coming to a close. For those who don’t know my story, I can safely say it is one of a kind. I started competing after MAO changed the age due to the pandemic (2022). I thought I would have my 1 shot at being Miss Indiana and had that opportunity and was so thankful for my 1 year. I was starting the transition to forever life - giving up my title in less than a month, when the age changed to 28. After 3 amazing years in this organization, I am here, aging out… for the 3^rd time.

Competing in Miss America I have had my high of high and low of low. This journey has been a rollercoaster to say the least- moments it felt hard to do- and my own self-doubt, comparison, internet hate, paranoia, and needing to handle my passions and my “self” being part of a competition, but as been so worth it. The lessons I’ve learned, people I have impacted, and the opportunities I have had thanks to Miss America is one I will forever be grateful for, but that doesn’t take away the moments when it gets hard. 

I give up this crown with a legacy I am proud to have. As a 5’2 plus-size Jewish woman, I never grew up seeing myself on the Miss America stage- I said no to competing twice before finally taking the chance, not because I didn’t think I could do it, but because I didn’t think Miss America would accept me, and that I was proven wrong. I may not have been the first plus-size woman on the Miss America stage or be the second Jewish Miss America, but I can say my legacy has made it so I know we will see both. I know in my years in Miss America, I have left an imprint on the future of this organization, inspiring people from coast to coast, several women competing because they found me- that is something that will be forever hard to believe. My why is something I hold close to my heart- my why is for little Elyssa- who never saw herself. To show little Elyssa The things she thought she’d never do. Little Elyssa would be proud to see her on the stage, and I know I have made that impact on many of all ages- showing the next generation themselves, showing my generation the change, and showing those older than me what they wish they saw. I gave my all, did my best and Brought someone some happiness- Left this world a little better just because I was here, taking up space- facing the obstacles and barriers life set and I was not afraid to be the one to break them. Little Elyssa- around 7 years old once said “I just want to know that when I die, I made an impact on the people around me”.  Although dark for a 7-year-old, I know my years in this organization did just that. Make an impact. 

Although this time is coming to an end, it is not a goodbye to Miss America. I know I am going to use all that I gained from MAO and use it to continue the work I have been doing. I promise to continue finding opportunities to break barriers in new, larger, more radical ways. Today marks the end of an era, but the start of a age and now. My time has actually, really, come to an end as a titleholder, but I can say- because of my experience, I have been changed for good. 

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Elyssa DiRaddo is turning over her Miss Southern Indiana crown. You can continue to find her on her personal Instagram.  

To learn more about Elyssa, feel free to check out her Interview with Section 36.