Caressa Cameron
| Caressa Cameron Jackson | |
|---|---|
 Caressa performing in the Cherry Blossom Festival parade | |
| Born |
Caressa Cameron August 4, 1987 |
| Alma mater |
Massaponax High School Virginia Commonwealth University Barbizon Modeling and Acting School |
| Known for | Miss America 2010 |
| Home town | Fredericksburg, Virginia |
| Title |
Miss Virginia 2009 Miss America 2010 |
| Predecessor | Katie Stam |
| Successor | Teresa Scanlan |
| Political party | Democrat |
| Religion | Christian |
| Spouse(s) | Nathaniel Bernard Jackson Jr. |
| Children | Tres Jackson (Nathaniel B. Jackson III) |
| Parent(s) | Jerome and LaVern Cameron |
| Website | http://www.caressacameronlive.com |
Caressa Cameron-Jackson (born August 4, 1987) is an American beauty pageant titleholder who was Miss Virginia 2009 and Miss America 2010. She is the eighth African American Miss America, the first African-American Miss Virginia to be crowned Miss America, and the first African American Miss America to win the title with a sitting African American president.[1]
Early life and Education
Cameron's teen years were difficult and she was bullied at school. After the reigning Miss Virginia spoke at her school, Cameron decided to become involved in pageants.[2]
Cameron is a graduate of Massaponax High School.[3] and Virginia Commonwealth University. Additionally, Cameron attended and graduated from Barbizon Modeling and Acting School in Virginia in 2002.[4]
Pageants
Cameron won the Miss Virginia title on June 28, 2009 having previously competed for that title three times.[5] In prior competitions she was first runner-up in 2008.[6] Due to her first runner-up placement at Miss Virginia 2008, she qualified for National Sweetheart pageant.[7] She placed fourth runner-up at National Sweetheart 2008. She was also second runner-up in 2007 and 2006.[8] She was 2nd runner-up to Amber Copley at Miss Virginia USA 2006. In addition to competing at Miss Virginia USA, Cameron placed 2nd runner-up to Tori Hall at Miss Virginia Teen USA 2005.
On January 27, 2010, she won a $2,000 scholarship in winning the Preliminary Talent competition in vocal pop.[9]
Miss America 2010
On January 30, 2010, Cameron won the Miss America 2010 pageant held at Planet Hollywood in Las Vegas, Nevada.[1]
Miss America role
Caressa traveled over 250,000 miles during her year of service championing her personal platform, Real Talk: AIDS in America and has spoken to over 80,000 students across the country about healthy choices. For her efforts, Caressa was the recipient of the President’s Volunteer Service Award and a Congressional Honor.
An accomplished vocalist and talent award winner at Miss America, Caressa was honored to perform during the 2009 Presidential Inauguration festivities, the 2010 White House Christmas Tree lighting and more.
Personal Life
Cameron wed her high school sweetheart, Nathaniel Bernard Jackson Jr., (a graduate of Virginia Military Institute)on December 2, 2012. They welcomed their first child Tres on June 27, 2016. They reside in Locust Grove, Virginia where she works as a development consultant for various non-profits throughout the Washington D.C. area.
References
- 1 2 "Miss Virginia wins 2010 Miss America crown". USA Today. 2010-01-30.
- ↑ http://www.cbn.com/700club/guests/bios/Caressa_Cameron_041210.aspx The 700 Club - Miss America 2010: Caressa Cameron
- ↑ Gross, Edie. "Covering Caressa Cameron". www.fredericksburg.com.
- ↑ "Barbizon Modeling and Acting School Alumni". barbizonmodeling.com.
- ↑ Young, Julie. "VCU student Caressa Cameron begins reign as Miss Virginia". Richmond Times-Dispatch.
- ↑ Taylor, Duffie (2009-06-28). "Miss Arlington Caressa Cameron wins Miss Virginia". The Roanoke Times.
- ↑ "Former Miss Greater Springfield Scholarship Organization Pageant Winners". Miss Greater Springfield Scholarship Organization. Retrieved January 22, 2012.
- ↑ Taylor, Duffie (2009-06-28). "Miss Arlington Caressa Cameron wins Miss Virginia". The Roanoke Times.
- ↑ "Miss Virginia Lighting Up Vegas Strip". NBC Universal, Inc. 2010-01-28. Retrieved 2010-01-31.
Video clips
- "Miss America 2010 Caressa Cameron sings God Bless America" video, Miss America 2010 Caressa Cameron sings "God Bless America" at the Independence Day Parade in Philadelphia on July 4, 2010.
External links
 |
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Caressa Cameron. |
| Awards and achievements | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Katie Stam |
Miss America 2010 |
Succeeded by Teresa Scanlan |
| Preceded by Tara Wheeler |
Miss Virginia 2009 |
Succeeded by Chinah Helmandollar |