Interview with Miss Ohio National US 2009, Brittany Eckstrom

How did you feel when you were announced the
representative for the state of Ohio?
This is actually my first pageant, so I cannot explain how
excited I was (and still am)! But, if I could begin to explain it, I
would definitely say that I am so proud to have my work qualify me to
be a delegate. When I first received my letter, I was so excited that
I was almost doubting that it really was true! Then the reality of it
all hit me; “WOOHOO!”

What do you feel is the most important quality
in a Miss National US?
I think that Miss National US should be herself. Through this
process, it is very easy to get caught up in portraying who you think
others want you to be. I feel that it is very important for her to be
genuine and true to who she really is inside.
What do you wish to accomplish with your title?  
I really want more people, especially my age, to get involved
with volunteering. It seems like many people in America use the excuse
that they “don’t have time to volunteer.” I want people to be able to
realize that there are so many ways to get involved, even if it’s only
helping out with Sunday brunch at church. I’m hoping that I can help
people to find options to help the people around them, even in little
ways.

What do you like to do in your spare time?
Well, I’m a musical theater major at Kent State University,
which takes up so much of time! If I’m not on stage, rehearsing,
memorizing lines, or learning a new song, I love to go to the plaza at
school with my friends and get coffee or just walk around campus with
my boyfriend. I also LOVE to bake cookies in my dorm kitchen with my
best friend Erin.

What would you say is your most prized possession?
My great grandma gave me a bag of rocks when I was younger.
Yes, what a stereotypical silly thing for a grandmother to do. Well, I
thought that it was just something silly that she was doing, but then
she explained these special rocks to me. These little white pebbles
belonged to her sister, who just happened to love traveling. When her
sister was younger, she traveled to Jerusalem, and brought back these
rocks for her. My grandma loved these rocks, and I think that is why
they mean so much to me

Miss Nebraska Keeps Busy

Miss Nebraska National US Ashley Hackenkamp has recently had a very busy schedule. First she attended the annual Colorado Cattle Baron's Ball, an annual fund raiser for the American Cancer Society. She helped with registration and the live auctions. Below are photos from the spectacular event.

PHOTO: (Above) Ashley with Miss Rodeo Colorado 2008 and Miss Rodeo Colorado 2009; (Below) Ashley with Nashville recording artists, The Lost Trailers

Next, Ashley helped organize and served as guest judge the 2008 Miss Walk a Mile pageant. However, this was not your ordinary pageant. It was a competition for men and acted as a fund raiser for the Sandhills Crisis Intervention Program, which advocates for women and children who are victims of domestic violence. The 14 contestants who each raised $100 each for SCIP, were judged on their appearance, charisma, and creativity of answers during the Q&A segment. The winner was Carl Dietz Superintendent of Ogallala school districts.

PHOTO: (Top) Ashley acting as judge for Miss Walk a Mile; (Middle) Ashlely handing out awards crowning the winner of the pageant; (Bottom) Ashley with a couple of the contestants.

Miss Indiana and the National Kidney Foundation of Indiana Gala

Joy Araujo, Miss Indiana National US 2009 recently volunteered at the annual National Kidney Foundation of Indiana Gala. The event raised money for the foundation to support programs designed to prevent kidney and urinary disease, improve the health and well-being of individuals and families affected by these diseases, and increase the availability of all organs for transplantation. Joy also had the opportunity to rally off and model a Mikimoto diamond and pearl ring! Volunteerism and glamor all for a great cause!

PHOTO: (Above) Joy Araujo with Nicki Howard, grant coordinator for the National Kidney Foundation of Indiana.

PHOTO: Joy with volunteers for the National Kidney Foundation of Indiana Gala

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!