[WEST PALM BEACH, FL] September 4, 2026 — The Miss America’s Scholarship Foundation is proud to name Olivia Pacheco as the recipient of the Go Red for Women® “Heart of the Advocate” Scholarship Award, a $10,000 scholarship jointly funded by the American Heart Association and the Miss America’s Scholarship Foundation in recognition of her dedication to heart health advocacy.
Born with congenital heart defects, Pacheco has transformed her personal experience into a passion for educating and advocating for others. A four-year American Heart Association Youth Ambassador, she founded her high school’s first “Heart Club” and testified before the Virginia General Assembly in support of legislation requiring cardiac emergency action plans in public schools. The legislation was ultimately signed into law. She later advocated on Capitol Hill for increased funding for heart health education, research and AED training in schools.
Applicants for the Heart of the Advocate Scholarship Award completed a comprehensive online application. Eligible candidates included local and state contestants from the most recent competition cycle who have actively championed the mission of the American Heart Association’s Go Red for Women® movement.
The application process required an original essay, a 90-second video statement and a letter of recommendation. The Go Red for Women® Class of Survivors, a diverse sisterhood of national volunteers who advocate for better cardiovascular health, reviewed the applications and evaluated candidates based on their alignment with the Association’s mission, leadership and advocacy efforts.
“I grew up with a visible map of survival on my chest. My surgical scar is a constant reminder of my vulnerability and resilience, forging my mission to be the ‘Heart of the Advocate,’” said Pacheco. “To me, this means transforming personal survival into a lifetime of service, stepping into leadership to amplify others’ voices, and taking relentless action to change public policy.”
Through her continued work with Go Red for Women® and other heart health initiatives, Pacheco is committed to empowering women and communities to prioritize cardiovascular health. The Heart of the Advocate Scholarship Award honors Pacheco’s leadership and her commitment to turning personal experience into meaningful advocacy and lasting change
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About Miss America’s Scholarship Foundation
Miss America’s Scholarship Foundation, a 501c3 nonprofit, in partnership with the Miss America Organization, is the nation’s largest provider of tuition-only scholarship awards for women in the United States and U.S. territories. These awards support academic achievement, professional advancement, and long-term economic mobility across diverse fields and educational pathways. At a time when women carry nearly two-thirds of all student debt, this mission reduces the cost of education for women, expands access to opportunity, and invests directly in women’s futures.
About Go Red for Women®
The American Heart Association’s signature initiative, Go Red for Women®, is a comprehensive platform designed to increase women’s heart health awareness and serve as a catalyst for change to improve the lives of women globally. While the majority of cardiac events can be prevented, cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in women, claiming the lives of 1 in 3 women. For more than two decades, Go Red for Women has encouraged awareness. The movement harnesses the energy, passion and power of women to band together and collectively wipe out heart disease. It challenges them to know their risk for heart disease and take action to reduce their personal risk. It also gives them tools they need to lead a heart healthy life. The Go Red for Women movement is nationally sponsored by CVS Health, with additional support from national cause supporters. For more information, please visit GoRedforWomen.org or call 1-800-AHA-USA1 (242-8721).