BOCA RATON, Florida — This summer, Clarion native Gretchen Porter, will compete for the national title of USA National Miss, as well as thousands of dollars in college scholarships, prizes, and full-ride college scholarships to Troy University in Alabama.

Along with outstanding young women from across the United States, Gretchen Porter, who is the reigning USA National Miss Pennsylvania, will travel to the Boca Resort & Beach Club from July 10 to July 15, 2017, for the highly anticipated USA National Miss Scholarship Pageant. Representing the state, Gretchen Porter will compete in evening gown, interview, and a runway fashion show event in order to claim the honor of being crowned the national winner.

Gretchen Porter is the daughter of James and Carol Porter, from Clarion, Pa. Gretchen earned her Master’s Degree in Business Administration at Clarion University of Pennsylvania. She volunteers her time as a Big Sister for the Big Brother Big Sister organization. She is currently a District General Manager of a Fortune 500 company.

USA National Miss provides young women ages four to 25 with the opportunity to combine their love of pageantry with other optional elements to custom design their pageant experience — whether their focus is on fashion and modeling, or talent, education, community service, and mentorship. Awarding six prestigious national titles, USA National Miss has awarded over half a million dollars in cash, prizes, and full ride college scholarships since 2015. Delegates can also earn titles, crowns, and prizes in optional competitions in areas of interest to them including academics, community service and talent.

“USA National Miss combines all the beauty and excitement of pageantry with the glamour and energy of a runway fashion show — while recognizing the personal achievement, community involvement and academic excellence of young women all across the USA,” said USA National Miss Executive Director Jackie Watson. “Our program is designed to award young women for their accomplishments, and to mentor them to reach their goals and unleash their true potential, while encouraging them to be articulate young women with a strong sense of self worth.”

For more information on USA National Miss, go to www.UsaNationalMiss.com.