“Silence Hides Violence” is the name of Paige Madden, Miss West Virginia’s platform.  And she’s been able to do a lot of work with it over the past year…

Paige spoke anywhere and everywhere this year – to elementary school classes about healthy relationships – to high schools and colleges about the realities of domestic violence  (how it usually starts in high school relationships), and to civic groups and organizations who were willing to listen.    When taking a look at her year, we found article after online article, where she presented her platform (the age appropriate version) in an articulate and compelling way.

Paige didn’t just become passionate about domestic violence in order to win her way to Miss America… Paige’s grandmother was an advocate for the cause as well – and growing up, Paige witnessed domestic violence first hand.  Telling her story provides authenticity to her message – and likely offers healing to her heart in a way you can’t describe.

That’s what makes the Miss America Organization so special… You get the chance to make an impact in an area that might otherwise be “covered up” or “hidden away” because the wounds are so deep.  But if you can overcome the voices inside you that say “don’t talk about this” – you might just find yourself leading others through similar situations.  And that is seriously rewarding stuff, with or without a crown.

Good Luck Paige!  We know Miss WV is just the beginning for you!

Now – who do we think will be crowned Miss West Virginia 2015???

Well – that information was released earlier this week in the Junkie Newsletter!  To receive our latest edition of the Junkie Newsletter, click here to sign up and we’ll send you our most recent predictions!

FYI – Once you sign up, you need to “confirm” that you wish to receive it… THEN, your Newsletter will arrive later in the day.  Even though it’s a Sunday Newsletter, we forward it to all our new sign-ups twice a day – once around Noon EST and once around 5pm EST every day.  Just make sure you confirm, add us to your address book, and have patience!  It’s worth the wait!

Miss Massachusetts 2014, Lauren Kuhn learned one of the most important lessons of life – just by participating in pageants.  But before we talk about that lesson, let me give you a bit of background on Lauren…

Lauren grew up in Washington near the coast. After graduating as the Valedictorian of her high school, she attended college 5 1/2 hours away at Gonzaga University.  Then, after deciding she wanted to be a dentist, Lauren applied to Harvard Dental School (along with nearly 1000 other potential students).  According to the Harvard School of Dental Medicine’s own website – Harvard interviewed 125 students and only accepted 35.

So – Lauren moved to the other side of the country to attend Harvard Dental School…  That next summer, she was named Miss Massachusetts 2014 – ultimately finishing as a STEM scholarship winner and the 4th Runner Up to Miss America!  Oh, then she went back to class at Harvard while fulfilling her duties as Miss Mass. 🙂

Beyond Dental School, Lauren’s also studied in Botswana, Zambia and Turkey, performed in Carnegie Hall, and was featured on ESPN as a finalist for the Wendy’s High School Heisman Awards.

Based on all these achievements, you might think she’s just a bookworm with no personality… Which couldn’t be farther from the truth!  Check out our podcast we hosted with Lauren at this link…  You’ll hear that Lauren is EXTREMELY candid about bombing her talent as a Teen contestant – and many other things!

And THAT’S the life-lesson we’re talking about… Lauren had a terrible performance and it could’ve been the end of her pageant career!  But she refused to let a couple of minutes on stage define the rest of her life.  Instead, she tried again – and it’s interesting how life plays out.  As a matter of fact, in the podcast, she even talks about how the folks in her Harvard interview couldn’t believe they were talking to a former Miss Seattle (hmmmm… Can you say “memorable” out of 125 interviews???)!

Yes, life could’ve been much different for Lauren – had she given up with one poor performance.  But she didn’t.  Instead – she “brushed it off,” focused on what was important to her, and she found a way to make it happen.  It wasn’t easy – but it was worth it!

If that’s the kind of ‘life-lesson’ that young women learn while participating in pageants – then I’m all in!

GOOD LUCK LAUREN – Junkies know you’ll continue to achieve great and mighty things in the years to come – Thanks for sharing your incredible story with us!

And now, can Massachusetts find another young woman to follow Lauren as a Top 5 finisher at Miss America?

Well – our predictions regarding Miss Massachusetts were released earlier this week in the Junkie Newsletter!  To receive our latest edition of the Junkie Newsletter, click here to sign up and we’ll send you our most recent predictions!

FYI – Once you sign up, you need to “confirm” that you wish to receive it… THEN, your Newsletter will arrive later in the day.  Even though it’s a Sunday Newsletter, we forward it to all our new sign-ups twice a day – once around Noon EST and once around 5pm EST every day.  Just make sure you confirm, add us to your address book, and have patience!  It’s worth the wait!

GOOD LUCK LADIES!!!  JUNKIES LOVE MASSACHUSETTS!!!

#BigJunkieLove

Miss Nevada 2014 Ellie Smith, is a Freshman at Brigham Young University.

Interestingly enough – she’s not Mormon… And that’s pretty rare. According to BYU facts, only 1.5% of the students at BYU are not LDS.  In an article in the LDS Digital Universe, Ellie talks about how she’s never felt excluded by 98.5% of the collegiate population.

Ellie proved she’s in the right field when she was named a non-finalist talent winner at Miss America for her rendition of “Somebody To Love” by Queen.  And with numerous credits, vocal performances, a book and her platform of “Bullying: Don’t Let It Get To You” all under her belt… We know Ellie has a bright future ahead of her… At BYU – and Beyond. 🙂

Now – Believe it or not… Last year – Nevada was the only state where Junkies went 5 for 5!  Yup!  We wrote down 5 names (and only 5 names) – and all 5 ladies made the Top 5.  CAN WE DO IT AGAIN???  (Just for the record – I’m not holding my breath… and I would highly advise you not place any bets in Vegas if you know what I mean…).

Who will be Miss Nevada 2015?

Well – that information was released earlier this week in the Junkie Newsletter!  To receive our latest edition of the Junkie Newsletter, click here to sign up and we’ll send you our most recent predictions!

FYI – Once you sign up, you need to “confirm” that you wish to receive it… THEN, your Newsletter will arrive later in the day.  Even though it’s a Sunday Newsletter, we forward it to all our new sign-ups twice a day – once around Noon EST and once around 5pm EST every day.  Just make sure you confirm, add us to your address book, and have patience!  It’s worth the wait!

GOOD LUCK LADIES!!! JUNKIES LOVE NEVADA!!!

#BigJunkieLove

Lacey Sanchez is a winner through and through.

As a student-athlete and a dang-good pole vaulter (3rd ranked all-time at LSU), Lacey was NOT headed in the direction of “Miss America”.  But Lacey’s mom was a pageant-girl, and when her mom was diagnosed with breast cancer, Lacey agreed to pursue her first local title as a way to do something with her mom that would keep their minds off of cancer and chemo.

Then she won her local.  It’s a hilarious story – one you should hear for yourself on the Pageant Junkies Podcast at this link…

Over several years, Lacey kept competing and eventually achieved the title of Miss Louisiana 2014.  Lacey has such a calm demeanor – at first glance, you might not think that she has a competitive side to her!  But don’t be mistaken – Lacey likes to win.  And even though she may not have won the title of Miss America, she certainly “won over” her judges – coming home with the non-finalist interview award!  CONGRATS!

The best part of Lacey’s story is that she understands how pageantry plays out in the ‘big picture’ of life… She’s adamant that young women understand how “Pageants should be A DREAM, but not THE Dream…”   There are many, many things Lacey plans to achieve in her life – and pageants have paved the way for even more incredible things to come in her life… That’s why Junkies wish her ALL THE BEST and look forward to those next steps that come her way 🙂

And now – who do we think has the best chance at being named Miss Louisiana 2015???

Well – that information was released earlier this week in the Junkie Newsletter!  To receive our latest edition of the Junkie Newsletter, click here to sign up and we’ll send you our most recent predictions!

FYI – Once you sign up, you need to “confirm” that you wish to receive it… THEN, your Newsletter will arrive later in the day.  Even though it’s a Sunday Newsletter, we forward it to all our new sign-ups twice a day – once around Noon EST and once around 5pm EST every day.  Just make sure you confirm, add us to your address book, and have patience!  It’s worth the wait!

GOOD LUCK LADIES!!! GEAUX LOUISIANA!!!

#BigJunkieLove