Interview with Miss Kansas National US 2009, Carlanda McKinney

What do you wish to accomplish with your title?

Honestly, I want to be an inspiration. I know that may
sound cliche and cheesy, but I know of so many
people who come from similar backgrounds as mine
and never really have anyone to look up to.
I want to help at least one person see that there is
a much bigger world out there than what you can
see out of your window and that opportunity is everywhere.
You just have to look for it.

As a titleholder you're considered a role model, 
who do you look up to?
The first person that comes to mind is a friend of mine I met about a
year ago. She is 27 with an AMAZING job, an MBA and owns a beautiful
home. She just got married about a month ago and is basically doing
many of the things that I see myself doing in the next five years.
I say this because I think it is important for people to have "real
life" role models. Those who aren't "celebrities", but are just as inspiring.

What do you like to do in your spare time?
SLEEP! Seriously, with everything I do in a day, from class to
working out to having TWO jobs, when I get a minute to relax I
usually end up falling asleep. But, on those rare occasions when I
have spare time and I'm not tired, I like to do "at home spa
treatments". Bubble bath and candles...yessss!

What do you feel is the most important quality in a Miss National US?
The ability to be universal; to relate to all types of people, from
all walks of life, no matter what their race, sex, age, religion,
political affiliation etc. For people to be able to look at her and
feel as though she is someone they could run into in the supermarket,
or that she could be a friend their daughter meets in college.
Someone people would feel comfortable with their children looking up to.

What are you looking forward to the most come pageant week?
I am a very social person, so I am really looking forward to meeting
all of the other delegates. I can't wait to sit down and talk to
everyone and find out all about them. I'm sure that some lasting
friendships will be formed while we're there!

Rock the Vote with Miss Missouri

Danielle Dodson Miss Missouri National US 2009 recently hosted Kansas City 96.5FM Rock the Vote Concert featuring rock band headliners, Ludo. She opened the festivities by giving a speech emphasizing the importance of young people getting out to vote. There were over 2,500 people in attendance, and volunteers registered 300 to vote while attending the concert. Also in attendance were political candidates from all parties coming together to encourage youth to make a difference in today's politics by making their voices heard by casting their votes. Danielle was so honored to be a apart of something so important and play an important role as leader amongst her peers. Check out this video of th event featuring Danielle at the beginning!

Miss Nebraska Lends a Helping Hand

September 7, 2008--Ashley Hackenkamp, Miss Nebraska National US 2009 recently volunteered with Habitat for Humanity. She and other volunteers laid sod to complete a playground for a housing area in Greeley, CO. Ashley was ecstatic to be a part of giving someone else, especially children, a little piece of happiness even if it meant getting a little messy!


PHOTO: (Above Left) Ashley preparing the sod for the playground. Notice how bare the ground is before the work began; (Above Right) Group photo of all the volunteers and the families the of the Habitat for Humanity on the finished landscaped playground.

Getting Healthy with Miss Indiana

Joy Araujo, Miss Indiana National US 2009, recently volunteered at the Black and Minority Health Fair for the National Kidney Foundation of Indiana. She took blood pressure readings and informed guests about the risk factors of kidney disease. Check out her photos from the successful event!