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Miss Maryland United States Returns To Her Alma Mater, Baltimore City College, For Career Day

BALTIMORE (WJZ)—She's a 2008 graduate of Baltimore City College, and now she's the reigning Miss Maryland United States. She returned to the school Thursday, joined by other professionals to speak with students.

Ron Matz has more on a career day to remember.

Ciera Nicole Butts returned to her alma mater on Thursday for Career Day at Baltimore City College. She was president of her class all four years.

"The school means everything to me. Honestly, if it was not for City, I would not be the person I am today. The teachers really care about the students here," Butts said.

Students met the reigning Miss Maryland United States and 30 other professionals, including doctors and lawyers.

Butts is now a professional in public relations and event planning. She was impressed by the students she met.

"It was awesome. I think the fact that I was the youngest one here, the kids could really relate to me. I told them I was in their shoes not too long ago. I just graduated college in May so it's really recent for me. I could give them real work experiences and I think they really enjoyed it," Butts said.

The students heard from representatives of law enforcement, health care, doctors and lawyers, most of them City College alumni.

"A lot of the professionals here today were City alumni, I think about 75 percent, so to see how City shaped them for their jobs was really amazing," said Jessa Wais, City College junior.

"It feels great to give back, and that's something I encourage young, old, middle, to give back to something you love,  your high school, your college, your community association, your athletic program, just give back that time and you'll get much more out of it," said Gary Brooks, City College class of 1974.

The castle on the hill is a school that means so much to so many.

"I love City. I see the tower on the hill. It means the world to me," Butts said.

Butts will represent Maryland in the Miss United States pageant in Washington, D.C. in July. She's a graduate of Marymount University in Arlington, Va.

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