Tara Dawn Holland
Tara Dawn Holland was born October 2, 1972, in Overland Park, Kansas. Holland attended the University of Missouri-Kansas City and became a literacy advocate and tutor. In 1996 Holland won Miss Flint Hills, and then won Miss Kansas later that year. The following year Holland won Miss America, becoming the third Kansan to win the honor. After winning Miss America, Holland has continued to give speeches around the country fighting illiteracy. Holland married Jon Lynn Christensen in 1998, and they have two children. Holland has sung for George W. Bush’s Armory Ball, as well as Governor Sam Brownback’s Inaugural Ball. Holland was named Kansas Native Sons and Daughters Kansan of the Year in 1997.
Entry: Holland, Tara Dawn
Author: Kansas Historical Society
Author information: The Kansas Historical Society is a state agency charged with actively safeguarding and sharing the state's history
Date Created: June 2012
Date Modified: July 2016
The author of this article is solely responsible for its content.
