Ane Cristal Romero, Miss New Mexico 2005, took the difficult topic of Breaking the Silence: Youth Suicide Prevention as her platform to Miss America 2006. She vowed to continue working to contribute to the nation’s education about mental health and suicide prevention issues. She is now a legislatie aid to Congresswoman Grace Napolitano of California. Ane was recently recognized by The National Resource Center for Hispanic Mental Health for her work in Washington D.C. 

Romero is Napolitano’s head staff mmber for a bill the congresswoman introduced in February, the Mental Health in Schools Act. This bill would authorize more therapists and mental health services in public schools nationwide.

“No one on Capitol Hill is as organized, thorough and passionate about improving mental health delivery as Ane Romero,” said Henry Acosta, director for the National Resource Center for Hispanic Mental Health. “She’s well respected by her colleagues who appreciate her knowledge, hard work, and dedication to mental health issues. She’s extremely intelligent and resourceful, and yet so humble.”

Romero hopes the bill will help save lives of adolescents who are struggling with depression and other mental health issues.

“Overall, this legislation will give young people the opportunity to become more informed about mental health and help remove the stigma,” Romero said. “It will encourage them to ask for help, and not be ashamed or embarrassed to access services.”

Source: New Mexico Highlands University

Miss Alaska 2011 Katy Lovegreen
Education: Alaska Pacific University
Platform: “Speak Out:” Promoting Public Speaking and Debate Programs for Youth
Talent: Dance

Miss California 2011 Noelle Freeman
Education: Chapman University
Platform: A Promising Future for Autism
Talent: Ballet en Pointe

Miss Colorado 2011 Diana Dreman
Education: University of Colorado at Boulder
Platform: American Cancer Society
Talent: Dance

Miss Connecticut 2011 Morgan Amarone
Education: Quinnipiac University
Platform: The Power of Pink – Cancer Education and Awareness
Talent: Jazz Dance

Miss Louisiana 2011 Hope Anderson
Education: University of Louisiana at Monroe
Platform: Love the Skin You’re In
Talent: Dance “Sway”

Miss Maryland 2011 Carlie Colella
Education: Hood College
Platform: Empowerment of Women: Creating an Equal Opportunity for Success
Talent: Contemporary Dance

Miss New Mexico 2011 Sarina Turnbull
Education: New Mexico State University
Platform: Children's Literacy: Turn the Page to a Lifetime of Knowledge
Talent: Ballet en Pointe

Miss North Carolina 2011 Hailey Best
Education: Meredith College
Platform: Live On Foundation
Talent: Operatic Vocal

Miss South Dakota 2011 Anna Simpson
Education: South Dakota State University
Platform: Give Back
Talent: Piano

Miss Utah 2011 Danica Olsen
Education: Utah Valley University
Platform: Prescription Drug Addiction Awareness
Talent: Dance

Miss Vermont 2011 Katie Levasseur
Education: University of Vermont
Platform: Youth of Today, Leaders of Tomorrow
Talent: Scottish Highland Dance

Miss Virginia 2011 Elizabeth Crot
Education: James Madison University
Platform: Get Involved: Change the World!
Talent: Vocal

Miss Wyoming 2011 Catherine Brown
Education: University of Wyoming
Platform: Traumatic Brain Injury and Awareness
Talent: Pop Vocal and Sign Language Interpretation – “Come Away with Me”

In addition, the followin Outstanding Teens have been crowned:

Miss Connecticut's Outstanding Teen 2011 Nicole Nemense
Miss Georgia's Outstanding Teen 2011 Julia Martin
Miss Maine's Outstanding Teen 2011 Alison Folsom
Miss Maryland's Outstanding Teen 2011 Ally Soule
Miss Missouri's Outstanding Teen 2011 McKensie Garber
Miss New Mexico's Outstanding Teen 2011 Nicolette Noel Young
Miss New York's Outstanding Teen 2011 Lauren Molella
Miss Oklahoma's Outstanding Teen 2011 Clytee Burchett
Miss Rhode Island's Outstanding Teen 2011 Ivy Shen
Miss South Dakota's Outstanding Teen 2011 Alexis Kosiak
Miss Tennessee's Outstanding Teen 2011 Madison Snipes
Miss Wisconsin's Outstanding Teen 2011 Annie Jorgensen
Miss Wyoming's Outstanding Teen 2011 Montana Sannes