Centennial Alum Survives Heart Attacks, Enters Miss America Pageant

WARMINSTER, PA —It was on her bucket list.

Most people don't think about bucket lists until they're much older, but Jude Maboné's life took a different turn than what most people might experience.

She suffered six heart attacks and endured endless visits to hospitals. After recovering, Mabonécreated a bucket list of things she wanted to pursue. Participating in a pageant was one of them.

The 2014 William Tennent High School graduate can now cross that off her bucket list after representing as Miss District of Columbia in the pageant last month.

"Jude's story is a testament to resilience, determination, and the power of turning personal adversity into a force for positive change," said Nathan Ross, the Centennial School District's director of communications.

Maboné's journey to the Miss America stage was filled with challenges, determination, and a strong desire to make a difference in the world, Ross said.

During her time at William Tennent High School, Maboné was a shining example of a well-rounded student.

She actively engaged in extracurricular activities, serving as the class vice president, participating in musicals, lending her voice to the Madrigal Singers, co-captaining Black and White Night, showcasing her athletic abilities in track and cross country, contributing to the Athletic Council, joining the yearbook staff, and getting inducted into the National Honor Society.

However, her journey was not without its share of challenges.

At the age of 16, during a summer cross-country practice, Maboné experienced her first heart attack.

That harrowing experience marked the beginning of a series of six heart attacks that occurred before her 18th birthday and high school graduation.

She was able to keep her medical struggles private, and many of her teachers and peers were unaware of her frequent hospital visits to the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and St. Christopher's Hospital for Children.

The stigma surrounding her condition, though, made her reluctant to seek attention or sympathy.

Maboné faced many closed doors, losing potential track scholarship opportunities and her place at a service academy.

However, her journey took an unexpected turn as she made her way to Washington, D.C., where she would reside for years to come and still does to this day.

Maboné pursued her undergraduate education at American University, where she defied the odds by competing in Division I track and cross country, even while battling heart disease.

During her time in the nation's capital, she discovered the Miss District of Columbia/Miss America Opportunity and decided to seize it.

She competed seven times before securing the coveted title of Miss DC in June, along with a year of service.

As Miss District of Columbia, Maboné has dedicated herself to a mission focused on providing CPR and AED education, lobbying for life-saving legislation, and advocating for preemptive heart screenings and heart-healthy lifestyles.

She has partnered with organizations like Simon's Heart, which has hosted heart screening events at William Tennent, MedStar Health, D.C.'s major hospital network, and the American Heart Association, which nominated her as a Leader of Impact.

Her commitment to raising awareness about heart health and saving lives is truly commendable.

She expressed her excitement representing the District of Columbia and the Centennial School District on the Miss America stage.

"It has been really fulfilling to be 10 years removed from the hardest time in my life and to be able to turn that experience into a catalyst for tangible, life-saving change," Maboné said.

(Photos Courtesy of the Centennial School District)