Tosca Masini Means - Class of 1943

Tosca Masini-Means was born on April 14, 1926 in Sparks, Nevada. She was president of the student body. This Involvement in school continued, as she became a diligent student and outstanding athlete at Sparks High School.

In 1943 Tosca Graduated from Sparks High and entered the University of Nevada. Tosca worked full time to put herself through college and also contributed to the war effort. In 1947 Tosca graduated from the University of Nevada with a major in sociology and minors in both education and English.

In 1950, without her knowledge, a fellow teacher nominated Tosca for the Miss Nevada pageant. With much support, she won the Nevada title and moved on to the Miss America competition where she finished in sixth place.

In 1951, Tosca married Lawrence G. Means. She was approached to run for governor of Nevada on two different occasions, but decided to leave the public eye and move to Oregon with her family. Once in Oregon she continued to be involved. In 1973, she was named Woman of the Year in Coos County, and in 1988, she was named Outstanding Volunteer in the state of Oregon. Tosca retired in 1977 and devoted the bulk of her time to creating children’s plays at the On Broadway Theater.

Tosca possessed passionate determination to succeed while awakening a lifelong desire to help people reach their full potential. It was the focus of her energy and the love of life. She pursued her goal through all of her involvement and achievements. But her true talent was bringing people together, in making them feel like her closest friends and part of her family. Tosca died at the age of 76 on August 17, 2002.

Inducted 2004