Miss Rhode Island Alexia Rodrigues Aims for Miss America Crown

Alexia Rodrigues, representing Rhode Island in the Miss America competition, is making headlines as she prepares to trade her military uniform for the chance to wear a crown. The 25-year-old has a unique story, having enlisted in the Rhode Island Army National Guard during the COVID-19 pandemic. With more than three years of full-time active duty under her belt, Rodrigues is eager to raise awareness about the role of women in the armed forces.

“My military service has provided me with purpose,” Rodrigues told Fox News Digital. “I absolutely love my job. I get excited every day to be able to put on my uniform and serve my country and community.” She emphasized the importance of Equal Opportunity (EO) training and the Sexual Harassment/Assault Response and Prevention Program (SHARP) offered by the Army, highlighting the supportive environment for soldiers.

Rodrigues aims to inspire young girls by demonstrating that they can create their own opportunities. “I’m here to show young girls that even if there is no space for you where you want to be, create that space yourself,” she stated. The Miss America organization, which evolved from a beauty contest in 1921, has a significant history of empowering women through scholarship assistance, awarding over $5 million annually.

Competing in Miss America is not new for Rodrigues. She has been part of the organization since she was 16 years old, and she has faced challenges along the way. “It took a lot of tries and a lot of resiliency to make it to this point,” she explained. One of her main initiatives is to support foster youth, a cause close to her heart due to her own experiences in the foster care system after her biological mother struggled with addiction.

Rodrigues, who was adopted at age seven, created the community service project “Foster Hope, Adopt a Dream” to educate the public about the realities faced by children in foster care. “There are half a million children in our foster care system, and over 22,000 of them will age out every year, never knowing a loving family or support system,” she said. She believes that without proper support, many of these young adults face bleak futures, with one-fourth ending up incarcerated, homeless, or jobless.

Legislative advocacy is also part of Rodrigues’ mission. She has met with Senator Reed to discuss proposed bills aimed at establishing a Foster Youth Bill of Rights in Rhode Island. “These would ensure that children in foster care know their rights and who to turn to if those rights are violated,” she noted.

Her journey has not been without personal tragedy. Rodrigues lost her sister, Tiffany, to an undiagnosed heart condition at age 13, and her brother, Keith, died by suicide in 2024. “Grief leaves a type of pain that never fully goes away,” she reflected. In response, she launched a resiliency tour to share her story and discuss mental health, emphasizing the importance of community support during difficult times.

“I did struggle with mental health,” Rodrigues admitted, “but I was fortunate to have a support system that recognized I wasn’t okay, even when I smiled and said I was.” This support has shaped her into the leader she strives to be today, aiming to provide the same encouragement to others that she once received.

As Rodrigues prepares for the Miss America competition on September 7, 2024, she hopes her experiences will resonate with others and inspire them to create change in their communities. “Because of my journey, I want to be the support system that many young kids don’t have,” she concluded.

The Miss America organization continues to be a platform for women like Rodrigues, offering opportunities for personal and professional growth while advocating for important social causes.