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Jessica Appleton is honored to represent her home state as United States of America’s Miss Pennsylvania 2027. A passionate healthcare professional, children’s advocate, and community leader, Jessica is dedicated to making a meaningful difference in the lives of others through compassion, service, and the belief that even the smallest act of kindness can create lasting change.
Jessica graduated from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, with a Bachelor of Science in Neuroscience and minors in Psychology and Italian. She currently works as an Emergency Department Technician at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, where her experiences caring for pediatric patients have strengthened her passion for medicine, advocacy, and helping families through some of life’s most challenging moments. She aspires to continue her education in nursing and further her career in pediatric healthcare.
Inspired by her experiences in healthcare, Jessica founded The Butterfly Effect, a community service initiative dedicated to supporting individuals through life’s unique challenges, with a special focus on adolescent mental health, eating disorders, and body image. Through community outreach, hospital initiatives, and her children’s book, My Wings of Many Colors, Jessica hopes to inspire children to embrace their individuality, recognize their worth, and discover the power of kindness.
Jessica is also a proud advocate for individuals with disabilities, a passion inspired by her younger brother, Nate, who has Down syndrome. Through her involvement with the CHOP Buddy Walk, Special Olympics, and other community organizations, she strives to promote inclusion, celebrate differences, and create opportunities for individuals of all abilities to shine.
Throughout her reign, Jessica looks forward to using her crown as a platform to empower, inspire, and uplift others while continuing to serve communities across Pennsylvania.
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UNITED STATES OF AMERICA'S MISS PENNSYLVANIA
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA'S MS. PENNSYLVANIA
Ikeya Sade is an award-winning mental health specialist, coach, author, and activator of transformation passionate about helping others move from simply functioning to truly flourishing.
Connection is her superpower! With a genuine love for people, Ikeya finds joy in bringing others together, creating meaningful experiences, and leaving people better than she found them.
Ikeya puts that passion into action as the founder of Win Within Coaching and a mental health educator with NAMI, the nation’s largest grassroots mental health organization. She also serves as Pennsylvania’s representative on NAMI’s National FaithNet Advisory Council and coordinates the Allegheny County Suicide Prevention Task Force.
Her pageant platform, Win Within, is a natural extension of this work, advancing access to education and resources that strengthen mental, emotional, and social well-being for whole-person flourishing.
Having navigated seasons of loss, grief, and depression, Ikeya knows firsthand the power of faith, healing, and learning to find her way forward. These experiences have shaped her belief that the win begins within, but it was never meant to stay there. She believes that when individuals heal, the impact reaches beyond themselves, strengthening families, relationships, and entire communities.
As USOA Ms. Pennsylvania 2027, Ikeya looks forward to bringing her mission to life across the Commonwealth through the Win Within Tour, connecting communities with wellness education, practical resources, and meaningful opportunities for engagement. Her vision also includes virtual and in-person Win Within Check-Ins, empowering individuals to prioritize their well-being and take intentional steps toward flourishing.
Outside of her work, Ikeya enjoys thrifting, relaxing spa days, spending time with loved ones, and expressing her creativity through clothing and jewelry design.
With love and honor, she is committed to serving and representing Pennsylvania.
Her guiding scripture for her year of service is Matthew 5:16
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA'S MRS. PENNSYLVANIA
Monique Curry-Mims is a philanthropic strategist, civic-media entrepreneur, and
community advocate who believes that serving others should never mean losing
yourself. A resident of Yeadon, Pennsylvania, she is married to her college sweetheart and is the proud mother of two children.
Through her work with Civic Capital Consulting and Generocity, Monique helps
nonprofits, funders, and communities turn ideas into meaningful action. A CharteredAdvisor in Philanthropy pursuing her doctorate at Indiana University’s Lilly Family School of Philanthropy, she brings a commitment to community voice, opportunity, and collective well-being to everything she does.
Her platform, Maintaining Joy, encourages women to protect their peace, prioritize self-care, and hold onto their dreams through every season of life. For Monique, joy is not a reward for getting everything done. It is a daily practice that gives women space to rest, reconnect with themselves, and pursue what makes them feel fully alive.
As part of that mission, Monique proudly supports organizations throughout the
Commonwealth that connect women, children, and families with free outdoor
experiences that encourage health, connection, and time in nature. Through her
platform, Maintaining Joy, she champions equitable access to green spaces and invites women to discover moments of restoration in the world around them.
Whether gardening, hiking, journaling in a park, or bringing people together, Monique finds purpose in nurturing growth. As United States of America’s Mrs. Pennsylvania 2027, her message is simple: women deserve room to care for themselves, pursue their dreams, and experience lasting joy, so no dream or woman is left behind.