You will compete at the Miss Ohio USA Pageant, how will you prepare the contest ? What unique characteristics would you say you bring to the competition?
I have been training and preparing for Miss Ohio USA for months! It takes a lot of time, dedication and hard work to become fully pageant ready. I competed in smaller pageants in middle school and high school, but this is my first time competing in a Miss USA system pageant so I have had to do a lot of research and planning. I have been preparing by spending many hours a week in the gym working with a fitness trainer and switching to a clean diet so that I look and feel my best, watching the news and reading articles to stay educated and on top of current events and politics, supporting my platform (Breast Cancer awareness and education) by volunteering my time at local events, and lastly I have been perfecting my competition wardrobe and stage routines which is the fun part! Unique characteristics that I believe I bring to the competition are my confidence and vibrant personality that will shine on stage.
Tell me something about yourself and your work. What do you actually do, and have done in the past?
I recently graduated from college (Miami University of Ohio) with a degree in Strategic Communication and Interactive Media Studies. I am pursuing a job in the advertising field. I love having the ability to be creative and collaborative at work, so I was instantly drawn to advertising. The past two summers I have interned for two prestigious media/advertising agencies, one in Chicago and one in Cleveland. I learned so much and would love to find a full time job that I can use those new skills! In the past I have also worked as a group fitness instructor and social media associate for my college, worked in retail, and I also was a lifeguard for 5 years! In addition to wanting to work in advertising, it has always been a dream of mine to work with food. I would love to someday take culinary classes for fun and maybe have my own cooking show! Who knows, the sky is the limit!
Social media seem to play a major role in pageantry nowadays. Do you think this is an advantage to you? Why or why not?
Since the last three jobs that I have had have revolved around social media, I understand just how powerful and important it can be. I think that social media can definitely be an advantage if used properly. It allows you to show your everyday personality and all of the great activities that you are involved in outside of pageantry. Social media also allows you to stay connected with other contestants which helps in maintaining positive relationships with others which I think is one of the great benefits of pageants. Overall, I think that social media can be a great thing!
What would you advise any young girl out there who has a dream of being a queen one day?
Go for it! Never stop pursuing your dreams. You can be whatever you want to be in this world, and if that is being a queen then continue working towards that. Learn to be confident with yourself and you will go far. Also, there will be people out there who will try to tell you that you can't do it, but don't listen to them! With enough drive and hard work, you can achieve anything.
Who is your ideal beauty queen and how has she helped you to evolve as a beauty queen?
My ideal beauty queen is Olivia Culpo, Miss USA 2012 and Miss Universe 2012. I love that she started as a first time competitor and ended up taking home the most prestigious pageant title in the world. Her unwavering confidence, fun personality and natural beauty is so inspiring. She has now made a huge name for herself and is proof that pageants can take you very far in life and help you reach big goals! She has definitely motivated me to get back into pageantry and have confidence in being a "first timer" in a Miss USA state competition.
Thanks to the beautiful Bri for the interview. Pageants News wishes you all the very best for Miss Ohio USA pageant.
