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!

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.