Ava Manwell, a 19-year-old sophomore at East Central University, is charting a path toward becoming a pediatric plastic surgeon, driven by a deep desire to help children overcome medical challenges and improve their quality of life. With a passion for service and a strong academic foundation, Ava’s story is one of purpose, leadership, and commitment to community.

Currently pursuing a biology degree, Ava plans to attend Oklahoma State University’s Medical School in two years to specialize in pediatric plastic surgery. Her goal is to offer children not only expert medical care but also hope, confidence, and comfort during critical times in their lives.

Her dedication to helping others began in high school, when she founded the Serve Club, a nonprofit promoting lifelong service and civic involvement. Through this initiative, she raised over $17,500 for outreach programs, supplying more than 750 backpacks to foster children, 300 toys and blankets to a local DHS shelter, and aid to a women’s shelter through donation drives and volunteer events.

Over the past decade, Ava has also volunteered with Toys for Tots and worked with Abba’s Tables, a food bank serving Ada’s homeless community. These efforts have shaped her understanding of the power of giving back and the value of standing alongside those in need.

At East Central University, Ava has continued to push boundaries. She became the youngest teaching assistant in ECU history, leading general biology and anatomy labs as a freshman. She also earned her pilot’s license and is just one test away from full certification—another testament to her ambition and drive.

Despite the challenges she’s faced, Ava has learned to embrace her strengths and remain true to her values. Her journey reflects not only academic and service accomplishments but also personal growth, confidence, and self-awareness.

Looking ahead, Ava is pursuing another major goal: becoming Miss America. She sees the Miss America Organization as a platform to inspire others and promote service, scholarship, and leadership. The program has helped her sister and mentors graduate debt-free, and Ava is proud to be part of an organization that empowers young women to lead and serve.

Ava’s mission is simple but powerful: to leave a lasting legacy of kindness. Whether through her future career in medicine, her community work, or daily interactions, she hopes to uplift and inspire others to follow their passions and give back.

To young people pursuing big dreams, Ava offers this advice: “Visualize the person you want to be and commit to becoming that version of yourself. Success takes hard work and self-belief, but anything is possible if you stay true to your purpose.”

She also encourages young women to explore opportunities within the Miss America Organization, which she describes as a life-changing experience that provides not just scholarships, but confidence and leadership development.

Ava Manwell’s story is still being written, but one thing is clear—her life is grounded in compassion, courage, and a belief in making a difference.