Teresa Scanlan
From being the youngest Miss America in decades to a litigation attorney and Air National Guard sergeant, she has repeatedly defied easy categorization.
Born 1993 (age 33)·Miss America 2011 winner·Birthday: February 6·Millennials
Biography
Teresa Scanlan seized the national spotlight at 17, winning the Miss America crown not just with poise but with a sharp performance on the piano that hinted at a formidable discipline. Her tenure was marked by advocacy for eating disorder awareness, drawing from personal experience. Unwilling to be defined by the pageant, she pursued a law degree at Pepperdine University, trading the stage for the courtroom. Today, she practices business litigation at a prestigious firm in Houston. In a parallel track that underscores her commitment to service, she serves as a Staff Sergeant in the Wyoming Air National Guard. Scanlan's narrative is a modern mosaic of ambition, seamlessly weaving together crowns, legal briefs, and military duty into a life of relentless purpose.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Teresa was born in 1993, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Teresa Was Born
The biggest hits of 1993
#1 Movie
Jurassic Park
Best Picture
Schindler's List
#1 TV Show
60 Minutes
Teresa's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1993Born
European Union officially established
Gas: $1.11/galHome: $86,600Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"I Will Always Love You" — Whitney HoustonBest Picture: Schindler's List
1998Started school
Google founded; Clinton impeachment
Gas: $1.06/galHome: $107,300Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Too Close" — NextBest Picture: Shakespeare in Love
2006Became a teenager
Twitter launches; Pluto reclassified as dwarf planet
Gas: $2.59/galHome: $174,700Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Bad Day" — Daniel PowterBest Picture: The Departed
2009Could drive
Michael Jackson dies; Bitcoin created
Gas: $2.35/galHome: $148,500Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Boom Boom Pow" — The Black Eyed PeasBest Picture: The Hurt Locker
2011Could vote
Osama bin Laden killed; Arab Spring sweeps the Middle East
Gas: $3.53/galHome: $138,400Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Rolling in the Deep" — AdeleBest Picture: The Artist
2014Turned 21
Russia annexes Crimea; Ebola outbreak in West Africa
Gas: $3.37/galHome: $160,700Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Happy" — Pharrell WilliamsBest Picture: Birdman
2023Turned 30
ChatGPT goes mainstream; Israel-Hamas war begins
Gas: $3.52/galHome: $361,600Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Joe Biden"Flowers" — Miley CyrusBest Picture: Oppenheimer
2026Age 33 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Crowned Miss America 2011 at age 17, the youngest winner in over 70 years.
- Earned a Juris Doctor degree and became a licensed business litigation attorney.
- Serves as a Staff Sergeant in the Wyoming Air National Guard.
Did You Know?
She played a complex piano piece, "White Water Chopped Sticks," for her Miss America talent.
Scanlan was homeschooled for much of her early education.
She has spoken openly about her past struggles with an eating disorder, which became her platform issue as Miss America.
“I play the piano with the same focus I apply to every challenge I take on.”
