In her first-year at the University of Rhode Island, longtime pageant competitor Alison “Ali” Hornung (Alpha Beta–Rhode Island) competed as Miss SDT during Greek Week. She placed third that night, but still remembers feeling the love and support of her sisters. “It was the first time I realized I had this unique support from my sorority,” Ali remembers.
Today, after five attempts at the title, Ali wears the Miss Rhode Island crown, and will compete in Miss America in January. “My sisters still support me and reach out to me all the time saying, ‘We knew you would accomplish this,’” Ali said. Accomplished is one way to describe Ali’s remarkable contributions to her community.
In addition to being Miss Rhode Island, she’s also the Founder and CEO of non-profit, the Glimmer of Hope Foundation, and the author of a children’s book called Hope Has No Hair. She travels to Washington, D.C. multiple times a year to address Congress and advocate for an increase of funding for pediatric cancer research. Cancer is the number one cause of death by disease for children.
Ali’s motivation and inspiration comes from pediatric cancer patients, a passion that blossomed when she was twelve. When a local family’s child was diagnosed with cancer, pre-teen Ali made and sold headbands to fundraise for them. Today, she has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for pediatric cancer research and families seeking support.
Through her years of activism, Ali developed connections to hundreds of patients. One in particular shaped the arc of Ali’s life.
Ali was aware of Ella Integlia’s story before they ever met. In spite of their age difference, their friendship was immediate and lasting. Ella served as Ali’s “little sister” during pageants, walking with Ali on stage. She inspired Ali with her strength, resilience, and light. “Ella was a light in everyone’s life,” Ali said.
During her treatments, Ella wrote to the Pleasant Company, maker of American Girl dolls, to advocate for the creation of bald dolls for children. Ella received a bald doll, and named her new friend Hope. Ella lost her fight in 2019, but her story is forever written on Ali’s heart.
In 2020, Ali created Glimmer of Hope Foundation, whose first task was to continue providing bald dolls to little girls in treatment because Ella believed the dolls offered courage and confidence to patients. She wanted every little girl with cancer to have her own. In just four years, Glimmer of Hope has gifted 700 dolls.
Ali served on the Panhellenic Council during her senior year in 2022. In her role as VP of Philanthropy and Service, she helped plan events that raised more than $200,000 for childhood cancer from URI’s fraternity/sorority community. She shared Ella’s legacy far and wide on campus. To her great joy, Ali recently learned that Ella’s life is still celebrated by the members of Alpha Beta.
A new member of Alpha Beta reached out to Ali to say hello. The young woman, a first year student, was best friends with Ella. She told Ali how touched she is to be among women who know Ella’s story. And Ali is still telling it.
In fact, Ali’s first children’s book Hope Has No Hair is about Ella. The main character, Hope, named for Ella’s American Girl doll, is Ella. Even the artistic representations of Ella’s room in the book are accurate. “Hope Has No Hair was driven by the desire to address grief and find beauty in differences,” said Ali. “The book is a true nod to Ella’s life and family. I saw a gap in children’s representation just as Ella did, so I created the book.”
The importance of addressing grief, finding beauty, and celebrating life are common themes in Ali’s life and work. Glimmer ofHope is growing. The foundation now provides empowering photoshoots for children in treatment, uplifting programs and, sadly, bereavement boxes. “It’s about showing girls their strength and beauty and providing hope,” said Ali. Ella is the face of the organization, and her spark remains the guiding light for Ali and her team.
The opportunity to compete in Miss America means the world to Ali because she gets to take her platform with her. “I can get into doors now that I could not get into as just Ali, “ she said. “Competing at Miss America is going to bring awareness to childhood cancer and Glimmer of Hope on a national stage.”
As she prepares to go to Orlando on December 27 for Miss America, Ali knows her passion serves her well. She said she feels excited and trusts that she has what she needs, especially for the question portion, which centers around her work. “I live my platform every day, so I know what I want to tell them,” Ali said. “The pressure is off in that regard.”
The support Ali feels also helps with nerves. She will be joined in Orlando by her parents, sister, boyfriend, two Glimmer of Hope families, her Board President, and two sisters from the Alpha Beta chapter. She is the only Jewish Miss Rhode Island in history, and the only Sigma Delta Tau in the pageant. The love of her sisters will surround her. In addition to her two chapter sisters, Ali’s Mom and Grammy are also members.
And there is always Ella.
When Ali was crowned Miss Rhode Island in June, she looked up. She held her hand over her heart, where a piece of one of Ella’s pageant gowns was sewn. “It’s a full circle moment,” Ali said. “When I started doing pageants, Ella walked with me on stage. Now I wear a piece of her dress cut into a heart over my heart.”
Ali will represent Rhode Island and Sigma Delta Tau January 1–5 in the Miss America Pageant. Follow our social media for updates and event details.