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!

Racing for the Cure With Miss Missouri

PHOTO: Danielle Dodson, Miss Missouri National US 2009 at the
Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure in Kansas City, MO.

August 13, 2008--Miss Missouri National US Danielle Dodson volunteered in the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure in Kansas City, MO August 10, 2008. This year she was in charge of interviewing breast cancer survivors, took their photos and escorted them on stage for the showcase and parade all sponsored by FUZE. "It's hard not to be crying in most of the photos," said Danielle, "it was definitely a life-changing day." Check out www.fuze.com for more on the event and read the survivor's courageous stories.

PHOTO:(TOP) Danielle posing in front of the official event sponsor FUZE van where she met with breast cancer survivors; (BOTTOM) Danielle posing with the Starbucks crew at the event.

Interview with Miss Nevada National US 2009, Tiffany Yanke

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

Honored, because I know this will be a wonderful opportunity to promote a new pageant throughout the state of Nevada. This also is a fantastic year to compete in the Miss National US pageant because we are the first, and the new Miss National US will have the opportunity to set the bar high. So, the next Miss National US will have a tough pair of shoes to fill.

What do you like to do in your spare time?
I enjoy volunteering on a regular basis for Habitat for Humanity – Youth United Las Vegas, Domestic Violence Task Force, Special Olympics Nevada and Volunteer Now Organization! I am the founder of Volunteer Now. I am also the President of Youth United and we start building our first house Spring Break of 2009. I am so excited!

What's playing in your iPod or mp3 player right now?
Believe it or not I don’t have an iPod or mp3 player! Currently, I have the soundtrack “Pride and Prejudice” in my CD player at home. Pride and Prejudice is my favorite movie, book and now CD! In the CD player in my car I have the book “The Secret” to listen to on my way to work, and because I own a dance studio, at work I have upbeat dance CDs for all of my little dancers!

As a titleholder you're considered a role model, who do you look up to?
I know this sounds cliché, but my Mom is my role model. She is the person that I look up to, someone that I can talk to, but most of all she is my best friend. She is motivated, strong, and willing to help anyone. I appreciate that about her and hope I will emulate those qualities as well.

What are you looking forward to the most come pageant week?

A memorable experience. I am excited to visit New Orleans, because this past year I started my very own Bucket List. “Visit all 50 states” is one of my goals on the Bucket List. HERE I COME LOUISIANA!!! Also, I can’t wait to meet all of the women from the different states who are just as accomplished as I am. I am very impressed with the staff so far, and I am positive that the National US pageant will be an experience that I will never forget.

Steppin' Out with Miss Texas!

August 3, 2008--Miss Texas National US 2009, Andreana Choe paid a visit to the Thomason Hospital
Teen Palooza August 1, 2008. It was hosted by the Teen Advisory Board of Thomason Hospital whose mission is to promote life skill lessons to other teens by teens.

PHOTO: (Above) Andreana Choe, Miss Texas National US 2009 with the University of Texas El Paso Golddiggers and Miss El Paso Scholarship Teen; (Below) Andreana taking a second to pose for a photo during the event.

Miss Indiana National US attends National American Miss Indiana

July 27, 2008--Miss Indiana National US Joy Araujo recently visited the July 6, 2008 National American Miss Indiana pageant. Below are a few pictures from the event.

PHOTO: Top-Joy with Miss Indiana Teen USA, Morgan Able; Bottom- Joy with newly crowned Miss Indiana Junior Teen 2008, Jackie Gessert

PHOTO: Joy with national titleholders Lyndsey and Olivia Henken, National American Miss Pre-Teen and National American Miss Teen

Interview with Miss Wyoming National US 2009, Leslie Picone

How did you feel when you were announced the representative for the state of Wyoming?
When I first heard I was Miss Wyoming, I was extremely excited. This is such a great honor to have. I have worked so hard in life and learned so many things and never in my dreams would I have ever thought that I could accomplish something like this.

What do you wish to accomplish with your title?
With my title I would definitely like to teach children that you do not have to be tall and thin to be happy in life. God made each one of us different for a reason. To me, your personality is what makes you who you are and I want to help them bring out the inner light and let the real beauty show from the inside out.

What's playing in your iPod or mp3 player right now?
OH!! That is an EASY one! I LOVE Country, especially George Strait, Granger Smith, Brooks and Dunn and Clay Walker (he is so dreamy).

Is there a favorite quote or inspiration that gets you through the tough stuff?
"What does not destroy me, only makes you stronger!" Friedrich Nietzsche, from The Twilight of the Idols (1899). Like I was stating earlier, life is all about learning and growing as a person. Just because something gets tough in life does not mean you should give up or quit. It just means you are maturing as a person and each time something gets rough, or tough, there is a good reason God had that plan for you. Just stick to it and things will get better.

If "you are what you eat" is a true statement, what food would you be?
HAHA! That’s also an easy one I would definitely say I am a cheeseburger, because I can be extremely “cheesy” at times. I live life on the lighter side, because you only live once and you should definitely live it to the fullest.

What do you feel is the most important quality in a Miss National US?
The most important quality in a Miss National US would definitely have to be sincerity. A young woman that is true to herself can be true to others. Without that quality, you can not live your life to its fullest potential.

Texas Crowns a Queen!

PHOTO: Headshot of Andreana Choe and her crowning moment as Miss El Paso National US 2009.

On July 11, 2009, the Miss Texas National US Scholarship Pageant proudly announced Miss El Paso, Andreana Choe, will represent the state of Texas at the 2009 Miss National US Scholarship Pageant in New Orleans, Louisiana. The west Texas native is very excited about the opportunity bestowed upon her. She is ready to do wonderful things with her title and can't wait for the national competition. Keep up with everything Andreana will be doing as Miss Texas by following her year by visiting www.misstexasnationalus.com.