You might know Angelina Amérigo as Miss Minnesota 2023, but did you know about her One Bottle, One Straw, One Bag at a Time initiative? In 2019, Angelina used the initiative requirement of the Miss America organization to address the ocean plastic crisis. Inspired by her experience competing as a dancer in Florida, where she saw just how much trash was scattered on the beach, Angelina decided to organize a campaign to stop plastic waste, starting right here in Minnesota with local efforts to educate people on the benefits of reducing plastic waste.

Since then, Angelina has connected with Minnesotans over social media, inspired people through speaking engagements, and encouraged companies such as Coca-Cola to improve supply chain sustainability. Angelina uses her platform as Miss Minnesota to have extended conversations and focus on community connections. This allows her to go beyond numbers and statistics and make a change that’s desperately needed to address the ocean plastic problem. As a marketing student at the University of Minnesota Moorhead, she hopes to learn even more about how to take her care for place to the next level.

Angelina has been inspired by the five areas of Miss America—scholarship, service, success, style, and sisterhood—to continue her work as she moves forward in life. In the future, she hopes to use what she’s learned to continue promoting sustainability and care for the environment. To get involved, connect with Angelina through her Instagram account @missamericamn. She loves to hear from people and help them connect with her work and the larger organization of Rotary International!