Ms. American Elegance 2011-12
Jade Newton
She grew up on the south side of Chicago and attended
Seton Academy College Prep (an all-girl high school at
the time). She attended the University of Tennessee in
Knoxville, TN (home of the Tennessee Volunteers),
where she received her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology
and a minor in French. During her undergraduate
career, she held leadership positions in numerous
campus organizations and volunteered with several off-
campus organizations, all while working two campus
jobs.

She was a Big Sister with Big Brothers Big Sisters
program, President of the Minority Advisors Program, a
member of Strange Fruit on Stage Productions,
volunteered with Habitat for Humanity and the Love
Kitchen. Also during her time at UT, she became a
member of Lambda Theta Alpha Latin Sorority, Inc.,
which introduced her to more philanthropic and
volunteer opportunities –mainly – her chapter
philanthropy, The Wesley House.

After graduation, she began volunteering with Girls on
the Run Chicago, an organization that she is very
passionate about and was introduced to while she was
at UT. She began volunteering with the Girls on the Run
in 2008, and in the spring of 2009, coached her first of
three seasons with the program. Even though her
schedule does not allow her to coach with the program
anymore, she stays active with the program by
volunteering her time wherever she can.

Jade has always enjoyed volunteering (perhaps that is
one reason she ended up being a Tennessee Volunteer)
and giving to the communities around her– giving her
time to benefit others brings her joy. Her community
service did not stop after college, she served on the
executive board of Lambda Theta Alpha’s Illinois Area
One and participated in community events for the
Ronald McDonald House and the Glass Slipper Project
in Chicago.

The pageant world has been a blessing for her. Because
of her involvement in pageantry, she has had the
opportunity to participate in a number of community
and charitable events and develop some amazing
friendships. She was so excited to be crowned Ms.
Illinois American Elegance, and then to be crowned Ms.
American Elegance, was the icing on the cake. She
loves everything that this organization stands for and
she wears her title with great pride and humbleness.

Jade will use her title to bring awareness to her
platform, which is ‘Advocating for the Uninsured.’ She
has spent much of my post-college career working with
individuals who do not have medical insurance and she
will be working with organizations that bring awareness
to the stories and struggles of these uninsured
individuals. These organizations provide free medical,
dental services, health education programs and social  
services to people who otherwise cannot afford them.
Uninsured individuals and families need a voice, just like
everyone else.

Jade currently reside in Beecher, IL, where she runs a
small business, and is the Assistant Director for the
Illinois Earth Pageant. She enjoy modeling, watching
sports (football is my favorite), reading, public speaking
and playing softball and football. Her favorite sports
teams are the Tennessee Volunteers, the Chicago
Bears, and the Chicago White Sox.

God has opened up a world of opportunity for her, and
she wants to turn her blessing into a blessing for
others. She wants Him to use her, to create an
opportunity for someone else.