The SPTC is excited to announce Miss America, Camille Schrier, as the keynote speaker for the 2020 Innovative Stars Awards Banquet. Camille is a biochemist and STEM advocate. Camille Schrier grew up In Bucks County, Pennsylvania, before moving to Virginia to pursue her undergraduate degrees. In 2018, Camille graduated with honors from Virginia Tech with dual Bachelor of Science degrees in Biochemistry and Systems Biology, and is currently pursuing a Doctor of Pharmacy at Virginia Commonwealth University.
In June of 2019, Camille was named Miss Virginia after breaking from tradition to perform the “catalytic decomposition of hydrogen peroxide” as her onstage talent. Her unique talent performance and focus on women in STEM has sparked a positive reaction of inclusivity for the program as a whole. Camille’s story has been shared with hundreds of children and viewed by millions. She can be seen on national and international media outlets including The Today Show, Talk Stoop, CNN, BBC, The Kelly Clarkson Show, CBS This Morning, Inside Edition, The Weather Channel, Southern Living, Canada’s CTV, Germany’s RTL, and many more.
On December 19, 2019, Camille earned the job of Miss America 2020 after competing live on NBC from Mohegan Sun Arena in Connecticut. A certified Naloxone trainer in the city of Richmond, Schrier will use the Miss America national recognition to promote her own social impact initiative, Mind Your Meds: Drug Safety and Abuse Prevention from Pediatrics to Geriatrics. Most recently, Camille was awarded the Engineering Champion Award by the Phi Sigma Rho National Sorority for her work in promoting women in engineering and technical fields. Camille will travel over 300 days this year to share her message and advocate for change.
The Awards Banquet celebrates the Southern Piedmont’s technology innovators. The highlight of the evening will be the announcement of the winners of the Innovative Star Awards. Nominations have been accepted for awards in following categories: Chairman’s Award, Innovation in Technology Small and Large Business, Innovation in Education or Community Outreach, Innovation in Community, Rising Star, and Student Innovator.
There is still time to nominate a deserving individual or organization using technology to impact the region. More details on the Innovative Stars Awards Banquet are available here.