Elena LaQuatra

ABOUT ELENA LAQUATRA

Known for being crowned Miss Pennsylvania USA in 2016. She garnered widespread popularity for her inspirational story, which involves her hearing with a cochlear implant.

She was deafened in both ears at age 4 due to bacterial meningitis. She subsequently graduated from Point Park University with her bachelor's degree in broadcasting on camera.

She was profiled in USA Today in June 2016. She has also developed a sizable following on Instagram with more than 10,000 followers.

Her parents made the decision, while she was still young, to move ahead with the cochlear implants to help her regain her sense of hearing.

She said she was inspired to enter the world of pageant competition after meeting Miss USA 1995 Heather Whitestone , who was deaf.