Nora Ali of Mendota Heights, Minnesota, recently became the 50th America’s Junior Miss when she won the title of AJM 2007. Being the first AJM of the Muslim faith and only the second Junior Miss from Minnesota to win the title, Nora wowed the audience and judges with her self-confidence and brilliance, and received overwhelming crowd approval when she played the violin for her talent. In addition to her title, Nora also received the official gold medallion and a $50,000 cash scholarship to use at the college of her choice.

Nora won more than $57,000 in cash scholarships through her participation in AJM in the local, state, and national finals. She is currently a freshman at Harvard University where she plans to pursue studies in Business Management and Finance. Ultimately, Nora would like to become a CEO of a major organization and become one of the greatest philanthropist of all times.

Since she was very young, Nora has been playing the piano and violin. She has been a soloist with seven orchestras, First Violinist for the Greater Twin Cities Orchestra and the Xaqialer String Quartet, and has performed the National Anthem on the violin for Major League baseball games, and has recently been named the concertmaster for the Harvard Pops Orchestra. She has also been featured on WCCO TV (CBS) for her academic and musical excellence.
Among many accolades that she received in high school, Nora was a National Merit Scholar, a recipient of the Murray Glauberman Award, Valedictorian, an International Baccalaureate Diploma Candidate, and an Academic All-Star for KARE-11/NBC TV. She teaches science and math classes, conducts stem cell research at the University of Minnesota, and plays for fundraising concerts and educational music shows.

As America’s Junior Miss, Nora will represent the program at events throughout the country, while promoting AJM’s, Be Your Best Self program.

Nora is the daughter of Zaki and Mahfuza Ali of Mendota Heights, Minnesota.

Fast Facts About Nora Ali

• 50th young woman to win the program
• Won more than $57,000 in cash scholarships
  through AJM
• Freshman at Harvard University studying
  Business and Economics
• Accomplished violinist and pianist
• Performed on the violin with seven orchestras,
  including, First Violinist for the Greater Twin
  Cities Orchestra and the Xaqialer String Quartet
• Concertmaster for Harvard Pops Orchestra at
  Harvard University
• Performed National Anthem on the violin at major
  league baseball games
• Set to perform God Bless America at GMAC Bowl
  in January 2008 and at other venues
• High school honors include National Merit
  Scholar, Valedictorian, International Baccalaureate
  Diploma Candidate and an Academic All-Star for
  KARE-11/NBC TV
• Participated and volunteered in scientific research
  at the University of Minnesota
• Plays for fundraising concerts and educational
  music shows
• To request an appearance by Nora Ali, contact Cassidy Grimes, PR Director, at cassidy@ajm.org or 251.593.1780.

Nora in the Media

Nora instantly became a role model when she was named America's Junior Miss 2007. Immediately after returning home following the AJM National Finals, Nora was greeted with reporters at her home waiting to talk to her about her experience. To see some of the press coverage of Nora Ali, click the links below.

Darwin Singleton Interviews Nora Ali
Minnesotan Wins America's Junior Miss
KARE 11 Video Story of Nora Ali
KARE 11 Reaching A High Note
Nora Ali on CBS The Early Show
The Harvard Crimson: Incoming Freshman Already a Junior Miss
Nora on YouTube