Raeanna Johnson is a rare phenomenon…

In case you missed our Pageant Junkies Podcast with Raeanna (you can hear it here), you should know that she has the distinction of being named Miss Wisconsin 2011 AND 2014!  How is that possible?  Raeanna was the 1st Runner Up to Laura Kaeppeler, who won Miss America 2012.  And as we all know, “If for any reason, the winner is unable to fulfill her duties, the 1st runner up shall take her place…” – Which is exactly what Raeanna did.

But just because you decide to take the crown as the 1st runner up, it doesn’t mean you lose your chance to perform in Atlantic City…

The rule is – you can only COMPETE ONCE on the Miss America stage… Therefore, as long as you have enough eligibility to compete at your state again, and you come back to earn your state title outright, you can be named “Miss State” more than once.

Trust us – it’s exceedingly rare… In the history of Miss America, only a handful of women have been able to do it (like literally, 6 or 7 – we’re not 100% sure)… But Raeanna did it.  And she was a wonderful Miss Wisconsin both times!

Junkies know big things are ahead for Raeanna – She’s the kind of young lady who rises to the top, regardless of what she does.  While being a “Miss State” is a wonderful thing – many ladies say it is a taxing and exhausting job as well.  Just imagine doing it twice!  That, in and of itself, should tell you all you need to know about Raeanna Johnson.  She WILL be successful – we have no doubt!  Honestly – if you get a moment, check out her podcast at this link – you’ll thoroughly enjoy it!

And now – who do Junkies think will be named Miss Wisconsin 2015? That information was released on Sunday in the Junkies Newsletter! Click here to sign up for the Junkies Newsletter and we’ll send you our latest predictions!  The latest newsletter is sent by 3pm EST every day – So have patience!  It’s worth the wait!

As a whole – the Miss Indiana Organization is making great strides…

This year, they’ll have a record breaking 35 contestants vying for the title of Miss Indiana!  Pretty incredible when you consider the contestant totals were down in the teens back in the 90’s.  Plus, this is their 5th year in a row with 30+ contestants at the state level!  That’s the kind of positive growth that “lifts all ships” and will make Indiana contestants  strong contenders for the Miss America crown in the future!

This year’s Miss Indiana, Audra Casterline, certainly made a positive showing at Miss America – bringing back a Non-Finalist Talent Award after her time in Atlantic City.  You can see her talent in the clip below… But beware… This video is an awesome example of EFS… Also known as “Enthusiastic Familial Support” and it might be a bit easier to listen to the video, rather than watching it (PS – #JunkiesLoveEFS). 🙂

Audra has been busy traveling the state of Indiana, talking about her platform called, “Food For Thought: Increasing Awareness of Eating Disorders”.  And in a recent press release, Audra praised the partnership she had with CITGO – the company who helped make her appearances possible.

“As an anorexia survivor, I’m familiar with the eating disorder warning signs and symptoms that aren’t commonly known.  CITGO and Johnson Petroleum allowed me to share my story with local teens and encourage increased awareness that can also lead to prevention.”

Audra’s next goal is to become a Physician’s Assistant, using the scholarship money she’s earned from the Miss America program.  We know she’ll continue to share her story of strength of overcoming anorexia and believe her greatest impact on those around her, is yet to come. 🙂

And now – Who do Junkies think will be named Miss Indiana 2015?  Well – with 35 women competing, we certainly had our work cut out for us!  Where did we land??? Well, that information was released on Sunday in the Junkie Newsletter! Click here to sign up for the Junkie Newsletter and we’ll send you our latest predictions!  The latest newsletter is sent by 5pm EST every day – So have patience!  It’s worth the wait!

GOOD LUCK LADIES!!! JUNKIES LOVE INDIANA!!!

#BigJunkieLove

People who are deeply vested into the Junkie Nation might not fully understand – but Miss Utah 2014, Karlie Major, honestly never saw herself as a Miss America contestant.

In an article at HJNews.com, Karlie said…

“I watched Miss America growing up. (But) I was never huge into the pageant scene; I never followed it like some of the other girls did. And if you would have asked me six, seven months ago or a year ago if I ever saw myself going to Miss America, I would have said no. It is something that I didn’t know I wanted to do and didn’t know it would be such an amazing experience.”

Karlie continues…

“You talk about the experiences that are once in a lifetime — going to Miss America really is once in a lifetime. It was very surreal. At the moment, you are so caught up in the competition aspect, your mind is in a million places. It almost doesn’t sink in. The longer I’ve been back, the more it has sunk in.

I remember my final competition, they did preliminaries three nights; the final preliminary, I did evening gown. You get to walk out on that long ramp you see on TV. Walking on the long ramp in my evening gown, looking out at all the people, that was the first time it really sunk in, like “Wow, I made it to Miss America. I’m here on this stage.” It’s an incredible feeling.”

It’s so hard to capture a feeling that only a handful of women get to experience once a year.  And I’m so grateful that women like Karlie – who never grew up following Miss America or pretending like one day she would be Miss America – still have a reverence for how rare and incredible being on the Miss America stage is.

Karlie made the most of her year – and no doubt, her time as Miss Utah will open additional doors she doesn’t know she’s interested in.  Sometimes, that’s what being a “Miss State” is truly all about.

Junkies wish all the best to Karlie – and to the 51 contestants competing this year!  Utah KILLS it with nearly 50+ contestants EVERY YEAR!  Plus – there’s always ‘fresh blood’ in Utah – which makes our research super difficult!  Nevertheless – that’s why we play the game!

Who do we think will be named Miss Utah 2015??? That information was released on Sunday in the Junkies Newsletter! Click here to sign up for the Junkies Newsletter and we’ll send you our latest predictions!  The latest newsletter is sent by 3pm EST every day – So have patience!  It’s worth the wait!

GOOD LUCK LADIES!!!  JUNKIES LOVE UTAH!!!

#BigJunkieLove

Maggie Bridges is adorable!!!

My assertion of “adora-bility” is further evidenced by this super-fun parody video of “Shake it Off” – Promoting Georgia Tech, where Maggie, is the lead singer (and does a FABULOUS job!!!).  Honestly – I don’t care what you think of T.Swift or this song – Maggie does an a cappella rendition with the “Sympathetic Vibrations” singing backup – and it’s adorable!!!  Check it out!!!

“But I keep coding… T-Square is still loading…”LOL!!! Love it!!!

Maggie comes from a town of only 300 people (which may be another reason why we love her) – and she chose to attend Georgia Tech, which is in the heart of Atlanta – Population 6 million.

(Maggie’s Georgia Tech shoes worn at the Show Us Your Shoes Parade)

In an article featuring her at GATech.edu, Maggie says,

“You have no excuse to come to Georgie Tech and not be 100% you.  You can come here and be a science genius, or you can come here and be Miss Georgia.”

Someone remind us to get Maggie on the Pageant Junkies Podcast.  That girl is going places!

And who’s going to be the next lucky lady to be crowned Miss Georgia?  It’s nearly IMPOSSIBLE to suppose who is going to win this year… Especially when you have THIS MANY beautiful women competing!  But – we’ve done our best to pick 5 that stand out – And that information was released on Sunday in the Junkies Newsletter! Click here to sign up for the Junkies Newsletter and we’ll send you our latest predictions!  The latest newsletter is sent by 5pm EST every day – So have patience!  It’s worth the wait!

GOOD LUCK LADIES!!! JUNKIES LOVE GEORGIA!!!

#BigJunkieLove