I decided to pay homage to five of the most influential “pageant
women” in my life. They are all very different,
but all equally fabulous. In all
honesty, this list could be at least 20 contestants long, but I’ll spare you.
5. Angela Perez Baraquio (Miss America 2001)
The one thing about Angela that I absolutely loved was that
you saw her spirit in every aspect of competition. You didn’t just see an elegant woman in
evening gown or a rockin’ body in swimsuit, you saw Angela. By the end of the broadcast, I felt like I
truly knew who she was and I was rooting her like I knew her! I mean look at this picture, she took a potentially
serious and HUGE moment and just had fun with it! Angela reminds me to let “me” shine through
in every aspect of competition.
4. Tiffany Collier (Preliminary talent winner – “Miss Spirit
of the South” Tennessee)
I still have NO idea how this connection was made, but for
some reason, Tiffany was a special guest at Miss Finger Lakes (in upstate NY)
the year I was crowned. To say the least…
her rendition of “Proud Mary” brought the house down. The Miss Tennessee Organization puts on a
phenomenal webcast of their pageant every year… naturally it’s a national
holiday for me. I LOVED watching her
perform that same number at Miss TN via my desktop computer. She had a BLAST on that stage and because of
that, everyone watching did too.
Sometimes we forget to just relax and enjoy being on the stage. Tiffany reminds me to have FUN!
3. Stefanie Wittler (Miss Tennessee 2009)
ANOTHER Miss Tennessee veteran that I watched compete via
webcast. Stefanie was the baby of her
class in Tennessee the same year I was the baby in New York. I remember watching her compete two weeks
before I left for my own state pageant.
Seeing her win a swimsuit and finish top 5 was SO motivating as I headed
off into the sunset to my own state pageant.
Even though I was not as successful (see first blog post… ba dum
chiiiii) Stefanie taught me not to compare myself to anyone else. P.S. Stephanie went on to finish in the top 5 at Miss America 2010.
2. Hannah Kiefer (Miss VA 2007)
From the minute Hannah was crowned at Miss Virginia she was
cemented in my top 5 for Miss America and truthfully never moved. 2008 was one of the most competitive years I
can remember (ahem Melissa Chaty, Christina Thompson… also two titleholders
that never left my top 5 and I’ve had the honor of meeting, nbd). Something about Hannah was so special for me,
she was the “it” girl to me- a perfect combination of old-school Miss America
glamour and modern Hollywood starlet. Hannah reminds me not to be afraid to break
the mold and be myself.
Finallyyyyyyyy.........
1. Heather Renee French (Miss America 2000)
I was 11 when Heather Renee French was crowned. It was the first Miss America pageant I
legitimately remember watching and “getting it”. Heather was flawless in every way to me. Stunning face, perfect styling… heck, I would
even wear that dress to Miss America 2013 if I am lucky enough to win Miss New
York! I will never forget her reaction
and her obvious emotional connection to her victory. Heather and her moment motivates me, even
still, to put my heart and soul into everything I do.
