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Haely Jardas | Miss DC 2015
Education: American University
Talent: Vocal, Blank Space by Taylor Swift Platform: Mental Health Matters Just before her 21st birthday, Haely Jardas was diagnosed with Generalized Anxiety Disorder, the most common mental illness according to the National Institute of Mental Health. She describes it as “the most frustrating, terrifying and humiliating experience of her life.”
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Haely has not let the diagnosis slow down her drive for success. Using her experience, she created the advocacy campaign “Mental Health Matters,” which seeks to share clinical research and personal stories to eliminate the mental health stigma. Her work in this field, as well as her stage talents, won her the title of Miss District of Columbia 2015 and the right to compete for the Miss America crown on September 13, 2015.
Haely has been a professional actor for almost a decade. Recent works include “Mama Monkey” in Adventure Theatre MTC’s First National Tour of “Five Little Monkeys.” She has been a featured performer at the Capital Fringe Festival and the New York Musical Theatre Festival. She is more than a “triple threat” with skills as varied as ukulele, stage combat, clowning and many other theatrical styles. She hopes to soon add certified stunt driver to this list. Her performance work has earned her many awards including: Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival’s Irene Ryan Award & Acting Scholarship (regional, National Finalist), Best Drama and Vocal Performance at the Young Artist Awards, and National Honor Thespian from International Thespian Society.
Currently, Haely is employed by the Congressional Delegation for D.C. Statehood as Communications Director. In her free time, she is the Managing Director for La Ti Do, DC’s acclaimed weekly spoken word and musical theatre company and is the Communications Officer for the Shakespeare troupe, Lean & Hungry Theater, whose performances can be heard on NPR affiliate stations.
Haely is a dual graduate of American University, with a BA in Broadcast Journalism and a BA in Theatre Performance, where she was awarded the Dean’s Scholarship and the President’s Award for her academic excellence.
Haely has been a professional actor for almost a decade. Recent works include “Mama Monkey” in Adventure Theatre MTC’s First National Tour of “Five Little Monkeys.” She has been a featured performer at the Capital Fringe Festival and the New York Musical Theatre Festival. She is more than a “triple threat” with skills as varied as ukulele, stage combat, clowning and many other theatrical styles. She hopes to soon add certified stunt driver to this list. Her performance work has earned her many awards including: Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival’s Irene Ryan Award & Acting Scholarship (regional, National Finalist), Best Drama and Vocal Performance at the Young Artist Awards, and National Honor Thespian from International Thespian Society.
Currently, Haely is employed by the Congressional Delegation for D.C. Statehood as Communications Director. In her free time, she is the Managing Director for La Ti Do, DC’s acclaimed weekly spoken word and musical theatre company and is the Communications Officer for the Shakespeare troupe, Lean & Hungry Theater, whose performances can be heard on NPR affiliate stations.
Haely is a dual graduate of American University, with a BA in Broadcast Journalism and a BA in Theatre Performance, where she was awarded the Dean’s Scholarship and the President’s Award for her academic excellence.