- Ellen Bryan – Miss Ohio 2011
Ellen Bryan, 22, is a graduate of Ball State University where she obtained a degree in Telecommunications with an emphasis on news. Ellen is from Celina, Ohio, home of Grand Lake ñ one of the largest manmade lakes in the nation. She is the daughter of Kent and Virginia Bryan and is the youngest of three girls, Christina, 28, and Andrea, 25.
At Ball State, Ellen was a Presidential Scholar, John R. and Aline B. Emens Scholar, Perham Scholar, Cardinal Legacy Scholar and a Harry S. Truman Scholarship Finalist. She was also an Emmy Nominated Co-Host for ConnectionsLive on WIPB-TV, Co-President of the Pre-Law Interest Group, reporter and anchor for NewsLink Indiana, and a member of The Ball State University Singers and Cardinal Five. Other honors include: Miss
America Community Service Awards (2009, 2010), Outstanding Youth in Philanthropy Award and Indiana Association of Student Broadcasters 1st Place Award.
Ellen is a National Spokesperson for Lightning Safety through a partnership with the National Oceanicand Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). She began promoting her personal platform, When Thunder Roars, Go Indoors, after her sister Christina was struck by lightning in 2000. Christina suffered lifelong disabilities, leaving her with limited mobility and unable to speak. Ellen served as the spokesperson for both the 2009 and 2010 National Lightning Safety Weeks (LSA) in June. She was featured in USA
Today, on The Weather Channel and created a Public Service Announcement with NOAA that reached 3.2 million people nationwide.
In the future, Ellen hopes to work as a television anchor or sports reporter. Her dream job is to work on ESPN or a morning TV program like NBCís Today or ABCís Good Morning America. She also enjoys entertaining crowds as an emcee and singer.
Ellen began competing in the Miss America Organization as a sophomore in college to obtain skills for a broadcasting career. Through the Miss America Organization, Ellen has been able to promote her personal platform, When Thunder Roars, Go Indoors, and earned more than $25,000 in scholarship money.
