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Our next contestant to be featured in our series “The Road to Miss America” is Miss Illinois, Jaryn Rochelle Franklin.

Age: 23

Hometown: East Moline, Illinois

Platform Issue: Advocating for Individuals with Disabilities

Talent: Vocal – “You Don’t Own Me”

Education: Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing from Trinity College of Nursing & Health Sciences

Scholastic Ambition: Obtain a Doctor of Nursing Practice and become an Adult-Gerontological Nurse Practitioner

Scholastic Honors: Recipient of a Presidential Full-Tuition Scholarship to Black Hawk College; National Honor Society of Nursing Member- Sigma Theta Tau; Mabel Fuhrman Scholarship Recipient; Schutjer Memorial Scholarship Recipient; Smilja Pokrajac Memorial Scholarship Recipient 2014 and 2015; Dean’s List (TCONHS); Josephine Brandt Memorial Scholarship Recipient

My Motivation: My patients. As a registered nurse my career challenges me daily, and my patients are a constant reminder of why I chose to serve my community as a nurse. They trust me to care for them in their most vulnerable state, and remind me of how precious life truly is.

One thing I would love to try: Move to the country and live on a farm! Anyone who knows me would say I am not one to spend all day outside playing in the dirt. But – I am always up for a challenge and would love to live like a farmer!

During my year of service, I will continue “Advocating for Individuals with Disabilities.” It is my goal to promote a culture of understanding and acceptance – particularly within younger generations. One of the many ways I accomplish this is through my volunteer work for AMBUCS, a non-profit organization that provides Amtryke therapeutic tricycles to children with disabilities. Additionally, I advocate for the Centers for Independent Living – regionally coordinated groups across the nation that are primarily managed and staffed by individuals with disabilities to provide skills training, peer-to-peer support, and advocacy.