Nana Meriwether facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Nana Meriwether
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Meriwether in 2012
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| Born | May 24, 1985 Acornhoek, South Africa
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| Beauty pageant titleholder | |
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Nana Meriwether, born on May 24, 1985, is an American who used to play professional volleyball. She also won a major beauty pageant title. Nana competed in the Miss USA 2012 pageant, representing the state of Maryland. She finished as the first runner-up in that competition.
Later, on December 19, 2012, the original winner, Olivia Culpo, won the Miss Universe 2012 title. Because of this, Nana Meriwether became Miss USA 2012 about three weeks later. She is also a co-founder of the Meriwether Foundation, a group that helps people. Nana was also a two-time All-American volleyball player at the University of California, Los Angeles.
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About Nana Meriwether
Her Early Life
Nana Meriwether was born on May 24, 1985, in Acornhoek, South Africa. Her father, Delano Meriwether, was the first African-American student at Duke University School of Medicine. Her mother, Nomvimbi Meriwether, is from South Africa and works as a lawyer.
At the time Nana was born, her parents were doing volunteer work in South Africa. Nana grew up in Potomac, Maryland. She went to Sidwell Friends School in Washington, D.C., and graduated from there.
Her College and Sports Career
Nana Meriwether played volleyball at Duke University for one semester. She then moved to the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). At UCLA, she was recognized as an NCAA All-American volleyball player twice. She earned her degree in political science from UCLA.
After college, Nana played professional volleyball for a team in Puerto Rico. She also trained with the United States women's national volleyball team. This training was for the 2008 Summer Olympics. Later, she studied premedical sciences at the University of Southern California.
Her Pageant Journey
Nana Meriwether also competed in beauty pageants. These are competitions where people are judged on things like talent, interviews, and evening wear.
Competing for State Titles
Nana's first pageant was Miss California USA 2008. She represented Malibu but did not make it to the final rounds. She tried again in Miss California USA 2009, representing Beverly Hills. That year, she finished as the third runner-up.
Nana competed in Miss California USA 2010 and was the first runner-up. Her last time competing in Miss California USA was in 2011, where she finished as fourth runner-up. After four years in California, Nana returned to her home state of Maryland. She entered Miss Maryland USA 2012. She won this title, which meant she would represent Maryland at the national Miss USA pageant.
Becoming Miss USA 2012
Nana Meriwether represented Maryland at Miss USA 2012. She ended up as the first runner-up to Olivia Culpo, who was from Rhode Island. On December 19, 2012, Olivia Culpo won the title of Miss Universe 2012.
Because of the pageant rules, Miss USA must give up her title if she becomes Miss Universe. This means the first runner-up takes over the Miss USA title. So, Nana Meriwether officially became Miss USA 2012 about three weeks later.
Other Important Work
Nana Meriwether is a co-founder of the Meriwether Foundation. She runs this organization with her family members. The foundation helps people in Southern Africa. They have programs for health, education, food, and community development. These programs focus on rural and poor areas.
Nana also worked as an executive assistant for Glenda Bailey. Glenda Bailey was the editor-in-chief of Harper's Bazaar magazine. Nana has also worked for and written for other fashion magazines. These include Carine Roitfeld's CR Fashion Book, Vanity Fair, and Vogue Australia.
See also
In Spanish: Nana Meriwether para niños
