The Miss Cosmopolitan Scholarship Program

See Brittany crown Miss Cosmopolitan 2010 at Plainfield High School!

Brittany Leigh Hagan 

During her year of service, Miss Cosmopolitan competes at Miss Indiana and makes many appearances supporting her platform.

See pictures and read about Brittany's year as you scroll down this page.

Brittany Leigh Hagan says “it takes a village” and began her year of service as Miss Cosmopolitan 2009 when she was crowned on February 7, 2009.  Brittany will spend her year promoting autism awareness and education.  As a local titleholder in the Miss America Organization, Brittany is committed to working with the Children’s Miracle Network, the national platform of the Miss America Organization.  She will make visits to Riley Hospital for Children in Indianapolis, the only CMN hospital in Indiana.

Brittany is an Indiana University senior studying entrepreneurship in the Kelley School of Business.  She was a recipient of the Presidential Academic Award two years in a row and is a member of Alpha Lambda Delta, a national organization for honor students.  Brittany’s career goals include earning a Master’s Degree in Arts Administration and working in the fine arts management industry.

From Fort Wayne, Indiana, Brittany is an experienced dancer.  She put her dancing skills to work at the 36-hour Indiana University Dance Marathon for Riley Hospital and is involved with the In Motion Dance Company.  Miss Cosmopolitan is about style and service and Brittany plans to travel to Ghana, Africa, to volunteer her time at an orphanage.  She has traveled the world visiting exciting places such as Italy and Tahiti.  In her spare time she enjoys running, reading, painting and teaching dance.

Miss Cosmo at Miss Indiana!

Brittany wins Miss Indiana Prelim Swimsuit!

"Wednesday night preliminaries came and went in a flash, but I didn't walk away empty handed. My name was called as the swimsuit winner! Thank you Billy Blanks :) Not really, watching Giselle in a few fashion shows on YouTube before the competition definitely gave me a leg up."

Brittany won the Wednesday night preliminary swimsuit award.  Brittany is pictured with Miss America Katie Stam and Gabrielle Reed, Wednesday's talent winner.

Brittany's signs autographs in Zionsville

"The afternoon brought the traditional parade down Main Street in Zionsville with my two princesses. I think I was truly just as excited as they were as this was only my second parade ever! We had a blast, let me tell you! I think I wore myself out waving, but I was lucky enough to get my caffeine kick from Eagle Coffee where I did my autograph signing!"

The Miss Indiana Parade in Zionsville

"I have never met two little girls who loved hugs as much as my princesses Emma and Veeda. They welcomed me with open arms, and didn't stop until the moment everything was over, and I wouldn't have wanted it any other way. Throughout the day, through rehearsals and crownings and luncheons, they could not give enough hugs. Sometimes, it's the little ones who know all the secrets :)"

Brittany gets princess love at Miss Indiana!

The Miss Indiana Pageant was filled with princesse.  Brittany is pictured above with Delaney and Kate.

Brittany's big arrival at Miss Indiana!

"I arrived in style, accompanied by a man named Jermaine who so kindly picked me up in an Infinity SUV so "tricked out" that it could only hold the likes of such big names as Bob Sanders, Gary Brackett, and apparently Brittany Hagan. The only stipulation for me (as well as Bob and Gary, I'm sure) was that I couldn't open the door for myself, I had to wait for someone to come around and open it for me. Ah, wow is me, I'm so deprived! It goes without saying that I could not have asked for a better way to arrive to the wildest week of my life."

Brittany arrived at the ZPAC in style thanks to our good friends at Integrity Limo.

Sam Haskell Opens Miss Indiana week!

"After move in, we were graced with the presence of the MAO chairman Mr. Sam Haskell. He was an unbelievable speaker! He told stories from childhood that all of us have. It was so great to hear something so relateable yet that still held great meaning."

Brittany gets Sam Haskell's autograph!

Sam Haskell signed copies of his new book after speaking at the opening reception.  Sam's book is available in hardcover, but we really enjoy the audiobook of  "Promises I Made My Mother."

Miss Indiana week starts with a parade!

Brittany and all of the Miss Indiana contestants took part in a pet parade down Main Street in downtown Zionsville, Ind., home of the Miss Indiana Pageant.

28 contestants competed at Miss Indiana!

The Miss Indiana Pageant includes two nights of preliminary competitions and finals on Saturday.

Miss Cosmo Appearances

Brittany's 1859 Balloon Voyage Adventure

"What a great day! I was honored to go to visit my friends at Conner Prairie again today to be a part of their Indiana Festival. They had so much to offer there including games, good food, dancers for the entertainment, and the main attraction was the world's largest hot air balloon! It was so great to be part of the excitement! I got to read books to some kiddos in the kid's barn, signed autographs, met a former Miss Wisconsin, and even got asked if I was a princess (I said "yes" of course). It is so rewarding to see that innocence in a child's eyes and to ensure that it stays there. It was a beautiful day to have the festival and I couldn't have spent my day in a better way!"

Cosmo at Club Soda Fundraiser

"This week marks my the fundraiser at Club Soda, a classy restaurant and bar in Fort Wayne. They have so graciously donated the venue for the night as well as food for about 50 people (number who have given an RSVP). I could not be more thrilled to see how much fundraising we can do for Riley Hospital for Children as well as the scholarship fund for the next lucky girl to be named Miss Cosmopolitan! I have had a lot of items donated by generous restaurants and retailers for the silent auction that will please the many different types of people who will hopefully be attending."

Check out the pictures from Brittany's Cosmo at Club Soda fundraising party!  Cosmo at Club Soda was a great success, raising about $2000 for CMN and the Miss Cosmopolitan Scholarship Fund.

Eggs-cellent Adventure at Conner Prairie

"I got the opportunity to visit the interactive history museum Conner Prairie last Friday for the "Eggs"ellent Adventure Easter Extravaganza with Miss Indiana's Outstanding Teen, Megan Thwaites! I could not have had a better time. How could you not surrounded by three to five-year-olds around Easter! Their eyes instantly lit up as they saw two princesses enter the room. While they were fascinated by our crowns, they really just wanted us to play with them. That is the beauty of children, they don't have the expectations and perceptions that come with getting older and setting boundaries, they just see a new friend, someone to hunt for Easter eggs with.
Conner Prairie was more than welcoming to Megan and I. We not only got to be part of the "Eggs"ellent adventure but we got to tour the grounds, got to pet a donkey and some goats, and got to meet with the committed and passionate staff that are employed there."

Bounce for Autism

"I started off the day at the Bounce for Autism event at Pump it up Party. I wanted to be there in support of the program and the Autism Society of Indiana. I was able to play with all the kids there for about two hours followed by pizza and pop. I believe I had more fun in those bounce centers than those kids did! Interacting and connecting with the kids, really getting to know them and what makes them smile, always makes community service or philanthropic involvement worth it for me. I keep falling in love with the cause of Autism Awareness and Education over and over again."

Learn more by visiting the Autism Society of Ameria online and their local chapter, the Autism Society of Indiana.

In Motion Dance Company

Brittany is a dancer and choreographer with In Motion.  Their 2009 spring show was at BHS South.

Vision Walk with Kappa Delta Sisters

Brittany at the Vision Walk in Indy.

YMCA Adaptive Aquatics Program

Brittany in the pool at the aquatics program.

"I could not believe it when my name was called. You wonder why women cry when they win a pageant, and then when it’s your turn, it makes perfect sense. You’ve put your heart and soul into getting to this point; this point where miraculously, in essence, a whole city, state, or nation has selected you to represent them, to serve them, to connect with them."

Read more in Brittany's Blog