UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Seven months after getting comfortable wearing her Miss Teen Pennsylvania International crown, one first-year Penn State student is adjusting to her latest title — a pre-major communications student.
Alivia Jacobs, 18, was crowned Miss Teen Pennsylvania 2019 in March. With her on-camera experience and pageant poise, Jacobs is eager to pursue a degree in broadcast journalism in the Donald P. Bellisario College of Communications. She has already started thinking about completing a sports journalism certificate as well.
Her interest in broadcasting began in her freshman year at Bellwood-Antis High School, when a friend convinced Jacobs to join the morning announcements as a news anchor. Using the communication skills and social awareness she developed through more than 11 years of pageant experience, Jacobs found that she thrived in the role and has stuck with it ever since.
She was Miss Teen Bellwood International before she surpassed her competition in the fun fashion, interview, evening gown, aerobic wear and on-stage question portions of the competition to take the state-level title.
When it came time to choose a college, Penn State alumna and Miss Pennsylvania 2017, Katie Schrekengast, who earned her journalism degree in May, helped to show Jacobs around the Bellisario College at Innovation Park.