Waynesburg High School has produced countless impressive alumni who have gone on to improve the world in their own ways. One alumna in particular has made her mark on every community she’s been a part of through her dedication to service, avid community involvement, and boundless support for those around her. Although she now carries the last name Lexer, Waynesburg folks likely remember her as Autumn Marisa – sister of four brothers, daughter of the school’s nurse and the college’s basketball coach, and a woman of innumerable talents.
“I’m very fortunate for having grown up in Greene County,” said Autumn, who graduated from Waynesburg High School in 1998. “In fact, my number one decision in choosing the town that I live in now was that it reminded me of home. I live in a small borough with a population of under 4,000, where everyone knows your name.”
Autumn Marisa was born to Rudy and Jackie Marisa as their sole daughter and youngest of five. She grew up looking up to her four older brothers – Kurt, Kent, Kameron, and Kerry. She could be found at their games, courtside at the Waynesburg University men’s basketball games watching her father coach, at church next to her mother, or participating in her multitude of activities. One pursuit specifically stood out to her from the moment she set eyes on it.
“When I was nine, my dance school, Barbara’s Dance School (now Moschetta’s Performing Arts Center) traveled to Atlantic City to see the Miss America Pageant, and I was completely mesmerized,” said Autumn. “I found role models in these intelligent, talented, beautiful young women, and I wanted to be one of them. From that moment on, I began working toward that goal.”
Autumn trained in dance, interview, and fitness while volunteering in her community for years. She read books written by former Miss America titleholders to educate herself on what the path to that honor entailed. She started by entering the Miss Rain Day Pageant which she won on her third try in 1997 through her hard work and tenacity. In that same year, she also won the Coal Queen, which fueled her passion for pageantry.
While she attended Penn State University pursuing a Bachelors in Broadcast Journalism, she continued to compete in pageants and became a captain of the Lionette Dance Team. The same year she graduated, she also finally achieved her dream of winning Miss Pennsylvania 2002. Although she was hired by NFL Films in Mt. Laurel upon her graduation, her new title came with a one-year job commitment. She spent her first year out of college competing in the Miss America Pageant and traveling the state to serve the Commonwealth as a public servant, volunteering at events, speaking engagements, appearances, parades, etc.
After her year with the crown, Autumn stayed involved with the Miss Pennsylvania organization as a volunteer, mentoring young women and teens for over twenty years to help achieve their goals and dreams.
“I am so blessed to have had the opportunity to give back and pay forward what so many people helped me achieve when I was younger,” added Autumn. “I loved my childhood, my amazing family, my teachers, my friends. They all shaped me into who I am today.”
Autumn remains grateful to all those who supported her in her youth. She credits her parents and her brothers for being amazing mentors to this day. Her role models additionally extended to her dance teachers, Barbara and Jacqueline Moschetta, for teaching her both dance and life skills along with Ramonda Lipscomb, her cheerleading coach, and Andrew and Linda Corfont who always provided a positive support system. Above all, she credits her parents for the invaluable lessons and values they instilled in her.
“My Mom taught me so much about faith, service and being selfless, and giving back to your community,” said Autumn, “And my dad taught me about having a good attitude, strong work ethic, and mental toughness.”
Autumn now passes on the lessons she gained from her childhood in Greene County to her own children – Lily, Luke, Katherine, and Kolt. Alongside her husband, Todd Lexer, she sets a constructive example through her active community involvement from fundraising for their school and Parish to serving on several boards, including the Miss Pennsylvania Volunteer Organization and the CYO Youth Sports Organization. For the past eight years, she has also been the Cheer Director and Coach for grades 1st through 8th.
Despite not following the traditional broadcasting path, Autumn could be found free-lancing over the years in a number of roles, including acting, reporting, modeling, and hosting for TV, film, commercials, industrial and educational videos, and print. She’s also acted as a spokesperson and Brand Ambassador for eighteen companies, including AnyBody for QVC, EA Sports, Make-A-Wish Foundation, and XBOX. At one point, she had the opportunity to meet and work for now president, Donald Trump, as a spokesperson for Trump Taj Mahal, in Atlantic City.
Nowadays, Autumn continues to represent brands on QVC, works as a lifestyle model for Bright Lights Media, and is a stylist at Main Line Fashionista Boutique. Most recently, she also launched her own business, AML Media LLC, where she continues to do the work she loves. While she appreciates all the opportunities that have come her way, family has stayed at the forefront of her life.
“My priority has always been my family,” Autumn added. “It was always a dream to be a Mom, have a big family, so I always try to remember that when trying to balance everything. My kids come first. All of my kids’ goals are my goals.”
To keep up with her current work, follow Autumn’s business Instagram @AML Media LLC. In the future, Autumn hopes to grow her business while supporting her four children’s aspirations in any way she can. On the occasions she gets to bring them back to Waynesburg, she’s extremely proud to show them where she grew up and introduce them to the community that molded her into the person she is today.
