The Miss Oregon Scholarship Program is proud to announce that Miss Oregon 2026 Allyssa Defillipo has been named one of the Top 10 Quality of Life Finalists at Miss America.
photo: Believe Photography
The Quality of Life Award is one of the Miss America program’s longstanding honors, recognizing women whose community service demonstrates meaningful impact, leadership, innovation, and a sustained commitment to improving the lives of others.
Allyssa was selected for her work through her Community Service Initiative, “E.A.T. to Live: Transforming Lives Through Nutrition.” Her initiative focuses on addressing food insecurity and improving access to nutrition education and resources, with an emphasis on helping individuals and families build healthier, more sustainable futures.
As a Top 10 finalist, Allyssa will participate in a special Quality of Life interview during Miss America Week in West Palm Beach, Florida. The interview gives finalists an opportunity to further demonstrate the impact of their service, the work they have accomplished in their communities, and their vision for expanding that work.
The Quality of Life Award winner will receive a $10,000 tuition scholarship.
Allyssa is joined by nine other outstanding state representatives who were also named finalists:
Miss Georgia Sophia Wootten
Miss Pennsylvania Stephanie Skinner
Miss Tennessee Makalyn Heaslett
Miss Arizona Victoria Vredevoogd
Miss Illinois Kate Dimmett
Miss Florida Alexandra de Roos
Miss Alabama Ruby Tilghman
Miss South Carolina Lindsay Jones
Miss Missouri Tabitha Crain
Their selection reflects the central role that service continues to play within the Miss America program and recognizes the meaningful work being carried out by titleholders in communities across the country.
For Allyssa, the recognition is especially meaningful because her commitment to food insecurity is rooted in a deeply personal understanding of how access to basic resources can shape a person’s future. Through E.A.T. to Live, she has transformed that experience into purposeful service focused on creating practical solutions for others.
“We are incredibly proud of Allyssa and the work she has done throughout Oregon,” said Beth McShane, Executive Director of the Miss Oregon Scholarship Program. “Being selected as a Top 10 Quality of Life Finalist is an extraordinary recognition of her commitment to service. Allyssa has taken an issue that is deeply personal to her and turned it into meaningful action, and we are thrilled to see that work recognized on the Miss America stage.”
Allyssa is currently representing Oregon at Miss America Week in West Palm Beach. The Quality of Life finalists will complete their interviews later this week, with award recipients announced as part of the Miss America competition.
The Miss Oregon Scholarship Program congratulates Allyssa and all ten Quality of Life finalists for their dedication to service and the lasting impact they are making in their communities.