RICHMOND, Va. -- Miss America 2020 Camille Schrier’s term with the coveted crown has been unlike any other because of the pandemic.
Schrier, who is also a pharmacy student at Virginia Commonwealth University, went from being crowned Miss Virginia in June of 2019, to becoming Miss America six months later.
Then, the COVID-19 pandemic hit.
Schrier, like many of us, spent 2020 on Zoom.
“It's actually been kind of a hidden blessing because I've been able to continue a nationwide reach without actually having to travel -- almost being in more places than what have been physically possible,” said Schrier.
As part of her duties, the 25-year-old did close to 200 interviews. She used her platform to advocate for drug safety and substance abuse prevention.
Schrier took a two-year break from VCU's School of Pharmacy's doctoral program to pursue the crown.
During the Miss America pageant, she stunned on the national stage during the talent competition, performing a live science experiment.
Her love of science started as a little girl. And she hopes these experiments on stage can attract kids---especially young girls.
“It's a snippet of the kind of excitement that can come from learning about science, and it's something I hope can engage them and motivate them to go back into their science classroom and pay attention in a different way,” Schrier said.
Schrier will be back in the classroom herself this fall at VCU to continue her studies.
Because of the pandemic, she'll keep the crown just a little bit longer.
“I'll be more of a modified Miss America. Instead of serving in my full-time role like I had last year, just to give me the opportunity to go back to school,” said Schrier.
Schrier will, hopefully, be on-stage later this year to crown the next Miss America. It will be the organization's 100th anniversary.
Schrier says the Miss America organization has provided her with more than $77,000 in scholarship money that will help pay for her education.
“It's given me a world of opportunity that I wouldn't have had,” said Schrier.
