Local Students Win

Miss America Opportunity: The current Miss Maryland is Gianna Romero, and Miss Maryland's Teen is Aryani Odie (crowned in June 2026). You can follow Romero's journey on the official Instagram page or book her for appearances through the Miss Maryland Org. [1, 2, 3, 4]

Gianna graduated from the John Carroll School in 2023 and is currently a student at Stevenson University.  Miss Washington County, Romero, 21, was crowned Miss Maryland as the pageant concluded at the Maryland Theater. She earlier won both the talent and evening gown competitions in the competition.

Romero, a senior, won the talent segment for her baton twirling ensemble on Wednesday night, as well as the evening gown competition Thursday night.

Romero, a baton twirler since the age of 9, is a business communication major who wants to go into sports marketing and communication. She has one sister. Her community service initiative for the pageant has been the Bloom Initiative, focused on healthy relationships and relationship advocacy.

Romero will compete in the Miss America competition in Florida. The finals are Sunday September 6 in Palm Beach.

Miss Maryland Teen is Aryani Odie of Pikesville. Both pageants are scholarship competitions. Romero will receive a $12,000 scholarship and other awards, and Odie will receive a full-ride scholarship to Hood College, an additional scholarship of at least $5,000 and other awards.

More News from Timonium

• Your Summer Camp Primer
• Goucher Awards Writing Fellowships