Dr. Rica Shenell Clements of York, Pennsylvania, United States won the 74th edition of Miss Pennsylvania USA on August 2, 2025. She will turn 29 on August 6, 2015.
Dr. Rica Clements
In August 2017, Clements graduated from the University of Central Florida in Orlando, Florida, USA with a bachelor’s degree in elementary education and teaching. In December 2018, she graduated from the same university with a master’s degree in educational leadership and administration.
From January 2018 to June 2019, Clements was a teacher at the Orange County Public Schools in Orlando. In August 2020, she joined the Seminole County Public Schools in Sanford, Florida as a math teacher.
From August 2021 to May 2022, Clements attended Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia, USA where she earned a specialist degree in curriculum and instruction. In May 2024, she earned her doctor of education in curriculum and instruction from the same university.
Liberty University
Founded in 1971 by Pastor Jerry Falwell Sr., Liberty University has evolved from a small Baptist college into one of the largest private, non-profit universities in the U.S. Nestled in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, the university spans over 7,000 acres, offering a sprawling backdrop for its robust residential student body.
While the university hosts over 16,000 students on its central Virginia campus, the institution’s true footprint lies in its massive distance-learning infrastructure. Boasting a total enrollment that exceeds 140,000, the vast majority of its students pursue degrees through Liberty University Online. Across 15 distinct colleges and schools—including dedicated programs in law, medicine, aeronautics, and engineering—the university offers over 700 academic programs spanning from associate certificates to doctoral degrees.
Operating under the foundational mission of “Training Champions for Christ,” the university infuses an evangelical Christian worldview throughout its curriculum and campus life. Beyond academics, the university fields 20 National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I athletic teams, known as the Liberty Flames, which compete in Conference USA.
Miss Pennsylvania USA 2025
Clements represented York at Miss Pennsylvania USA 2025. She competed against 31 other candidates at the Richland Performing Arts Center in Johnstown, Pennsylvania and won the title.
Runner-up to Clements was Aleisha Stas of Latrobe. The respective second and third runners-up were Caitlin Beck of Philadelphia and Kelly Smith of Rittenhouse.
Stas was fourth runner-up to Miss Pennsylvania USA 2024 Noni Diarra. The latter was unplaced when she represented Pennsylvania at Miss USA 2024.
Miss USA 2025
Before 2026, Clements will represent Pennsylvania at Miss USA 2025. Among her fellow candidates are Ivy Harrington, 31, of New Jersey, Hannah Klein, 33, of Ohio and Tetra Shaylice Shockley, 44, of Delaware.
Miss USA has yet to announce the date and venue of the coronation ceremony. The winner will represent the U.S. at Miss Universe 2025 at the Impact Challenger Hall in Pak Kret, Nonthaburi, Thailand.
If Clements wins Miss USA 2025, she will become the second Miss Universe candidate of the U.S. from Pennsylvania. The first one is Miss USA 1971 Michele McDonald, who finished in the Top 12 at Miss Universe 1971.
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