Miss North Carolina Goes Green

(PHOTO: Miss North Carolina Nat'l US, Marie Ventrone-fourth from the left-with event volunteers)

This past Earth Day, Miss North Carolina Nat'l US Marie Ventrone participate in the 4th Annual Piedmont Earth Day Fair hosted by the Piedmont Environmental Alliance. To give you an idea of the festivities, the following is a snippet taken from their website about the event:

"An estimated crowd of 7,000 attended the 4th annual Piedmont Earth  Day Fair on the
campus of Wake Forest University. Presented by Piedmont Environmental Alliance (PEA),
the Fair included  140 booth spaces representing over 120 exhibitors. Festivities included
five panel discussions, nine demonstrations, a stationary green car parade, green jobs booth,
twelve specially designed children's activities, entertainment all day long on the main stage, 
an all-natural food court and more."

Miss Ohio at the American Red Cross

Miss Ohio Nat'l US, Brittany Eckstrom recently volunteered at the American Red Cross blood drive at Kent University. She spent her time checking in donors at the check-in table, making sure the donors received drinks and food to keep them from feeling ill after donating, and checking in the fraternity and sorority students who donated. Fun fact: Brittany is a proud member of the Sigma Sigma Sigma sorority! As an important message to take from Miss Ohio's volunteering experience, please give blood; you can't imagine how many lives you'll be able to save. Donate today!

Miss Louisiana Amongst Royalty

Miss Louisiana Nat'l US, Jessica Johnson expressed that famous southern hospitality by volunteering at the LSU Relay for Life on the Queens of Louisiana Team. Along side LA Cattle Festival Queen, COYC Hurricane Festival Queen, S.J.P. Queen of Hope, and Miss Iberia, the women gave out purple ribbon Queens sashes, were introduced on stage, had a blast playing limbo, a cheese ball throw, and a whipped cream eating race all while raising funds for cancer reaserach. Miss Louisiana had an amazing time and plans to attend next year.

Miss Texas Keeps Busy

Miss Texas Nat'l US Andreana Choe was the guest of honor for the "Peace, Love and Joy" piano recital. Andreana had the honor of talking about the importance of peace and love and was able to thank our military for the courageous and selfless efforts that they are doing; she was also able to showcase her skills as an accomplished pianist and played a few pieces at the event. Andreana said she had "such a wonderful experience that [she] will never forget being able to talk about peace on earth and love which is something that [she] [is] very passionate about." Being able to personally thank and honor some of the soldiers for everything that they do for our country is such a rewarding experience and we are proud to know one of our delegates was able to do so. Andreana also recently participated in a walk/race for diabetes. It was a wonderful and rewarding experience and she had the opportunity to meet many special and wonderful people who are dealing with their diabetes and are still enthusiastic about finding a cure for the disease.

Miss Arizona Puts on Her Dancing Shoes

Miss Arizona Nat'l US LaReina Hingson was recently a guest at RAH for a dance for mentally handicapped adults. Check out a couple of pictures of the event below!

(PHOTO: L: Miss Arizona with a dancing partner; R: More guests at the RHA dance)

Miss Louisiana Assists the Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day

Miss Louisiana Nat'l US, Jessica Johnson 2009 appeared as a local celebrity at the National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day event at the Baranco-Clark YMCA called "Hooping It Up In The South" in Baton Rouge, LA. The event's DJ even allowed Jessica to come to the booth during the game while he commentated play-by-play and Jessica gave out different HIV/AIDS facts over the loud speaker. The event consisted of a basketball game between the "celebs" team and the "community" team. The celebrity team consisted of local djay's, local fraternity members, YMCA corporate employees, and more. There was also free HIV testing, Syphilis testing, and a blood drive, along with booths set up for distributing information to the community.

Interview with Miss Mississippi Nat'l US 2009, Jill Debenport

How did you feel when you were announced the representative for the state of Mississippi?

It may sound crazy but I felt so nervous. I was at home alone when I received my letter so of course, I had to call everyone in my phone-book. When I let my mom know she asked me if I was sure and I said "Yes ma'am'" and that is when it really hit me. Now I am totally honored and can not believe it. I can not wait to really get started with all of my community service and pageant events.

As a titleholder you're considered a role model, who do you look up to?
My number one role model is my older sister Lorrin. She is smart, beautiful, strong and talented. She is not much older than me but she has helped me through a lot of the harder times in my life. She shows me exactly how to be the best be and how to get where I want to go. Actually this pageant was her idea!

What would you say is your most prized possession?

I have a little white statue that my boyfriend and his family gave to me for my graduation and it says "I am here for you," anytime I feel scared or nervous I look at it and think about all the people who are really here for me and it gives me the courage to push on and go forward with my dreams.

If "you are what you eat" is a true statement, what food would you be?
Seafood! Living in Southern Mississippi you eat, catch and see a lot of seafood. My dad goes fishing almost every week so we always have a new dish with fish in it. My favorite though is boiled crawfish...Yum,Yum!

What do you wish to accomplish with your title?
My biggest dream is to show girls out there, and not just young girls, women my age also, that you can do whatever you set your mind on TODAY. There is no need to be afraid of what could happen; just go for it. I really want to help them find that fire inside that says "YES I CAN!"

What is something very few people know about you?
I love penguins, and I mean LOVE. I have stuffed ones, candy ones, and a little tiny bobble head penguin. Only one or two people know that about me but other than that I do not have many secrets.