Miss Louisiana Bowls with the Special Olympics

PHOTO: Jessica with a few of the bowlers at the event.

Recently, Miss Louisiana Nat'l US Jessica Johnson, volunteered at the Special Olympics bowling tournament for children at Don Carter's Allstar Lanes in Baton Rouge, LA. She assisted the children in keeping track of their order and later passed out the ribbons to the first through fourth place winners. Jessica had so much fun that she was asked to return the following dayand assist with the adult division. The event coordinator was so impressed with Jessica that at the end of the event, she was given an honorary blue ribbon and a Louisiana Special Olympics pin. Check out the pictures from the event!

PHOTO: Jessica pinning a few of the bowling tournament winners.

Interview with Miss Arizona National US 2009, LaReina Hingson

What do you wish to accomplish with your title?
I hope to increase awareness and encourage and inspire other young women to be their best and go after their dreams.

What do you like to do in your spare time?
Ha, spare time? Actually when I'm not in school or working, or trying to find a job when I graduate, I'm usually practicing with my ballroom partner. Other than that, I like water sports, snowboarding, and reading on the porch.

What's playing in your iPod or mp3 player right now?
I don't have a music player, amazingly enough, but when I usually listen to music it's something Tango-ish.

What is something very few people know about you?
I count in sets of 8 when I drink water from the drinking fountain, isn't that silly?

What do you feel is the most important quality in a Miss National US?
Miss National US's most important quality is inspiration, which comes from being the best person she can be, and doing all she can with her life.

Miss Indiana attends the Indiana USA Pageant

(PHOTO: Joy with the new Miss Indiana USA, Courtni Hall, and Miss Indiana Teen USA, Bailee Zimmerman, and other Indiana queens in attendance)

Joy Araujo, Miss Indiana National US recently attended the Miss Indiana USA pageant which was held November 1-2, 2008. The pageant was held at the beautiful Radisson Hotel at Star Plaza at Merrillville, IN. In attendance were other Indiana queens showing support such as Miss Indiana Latina, Mayra Rodriquez (pictured left). The evening concluded with the crownings of the new state titleholders, Miss Indiana USA 2009, Courtni Hall, and Miss Indiana Teen USA 2009, Bailee Zimmerman. Congratulations ladies!

Miss Texas and The Children's Miracle Network

Miss Texas National US 2009, Andreana Choe recently acted as local ambassador at a health fair for The Children's Miracle Network. She helped spread awareness of the organization as it helps children receive medical attention without borders. This is an organization that is very close to Andreana's heart and we're sure to see her continue to be very active with The Children's Miracle Network throughout her reign.

PHOTO: Andreana poses for a photo with volunteers at The Children's Miracle Network Health Fair.

Miss Missouri Goes to Marti-Bra!

Danielle Dodson, Miss Missouri National US 2009 was recently invited back by the American Cancer Society of Kansas City to act as Grand Marshall of Marti-Bra 2009. The event was held to raise awareness about breast cancer and receive 1,000 bras to be donated to HOPE houses in Kansas City for battered and abused women. Danielle hosted the event with 98.1 KUDL's DJs and spoke about her personal battle with breast cancer and said, "it's important for young people to be aware that they are not immune, and breast cancer does not discriminate." She later led the parade of survivors and the candle ceremony which raised $3,000. Danielle also received the honor of being nominated for Who's Who Among Professional Women 2009! Congratulations Danielle!
PHOTO: (Above) Danielle with Rep. Cathy Jolly.

PHOTO: (Left) Danielle speaking to the crowd and Marti-Bra 2009; (Right) Danielle posing next to a bra donation bin at the event and holding one of the spectacular bras given to charity.

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.