We tend to post a lot of blogs from the contestants who give us their full experience AFTER Miss America was complete… Well, today we’re giving you a taste of what the FIRST day of Miss America is like – courtesy of Miss Wyoming, 2013 Rebecca Podio!  Check out her full blogpost here!

Rebecca won the title of Miss Wyoming during her final year of eligibility and after several years in the program.  Her persistence and perseverance are an inspiration to everyone who still has something inside of them saying, “I’ve got to give this one more shot.”

Junkies wish Rebecca all the best in her future plans… She’s currently a Production Engineer in the Oil and Gas industry and we know she has a bright future ahead of her!

And when it comes to this year’s Miss Wyoming pageant – it’s certainly shaping up to be quite an interesting evening!  In fact, this might be the most competitive state pageant Wyoming has seen in quite a few years!  We’re excited to see who will earn the crown on Saturday Night!

Junkies Say Here’s Who to Watch:

Jessica Dyk – SD OT ’09 (middle left) – Attending Auburn on full MAOT scholarship
Caitlin Bush – 2nd runner up ’13 (top left)
Jessie Allen – 2nd runner up WY USA ’13, sister was WY USA ’12 (bottom left)
Julia Kendrix – Top 8 SD ’12 (bottom middle)
Jordyn Hall – contestant at Miss Washington in ’13 (top right)

GOOD LUCK LADIES!!!  ALL THE BEST!!! 🙂

MAJ

One of the things we love about the Miss America pageant is that it draws in young women who are looking for a way to stand out in the world.  Miss Alaska 2013 Michelle Taylor, is no exception.

From the University of Alaska Anchorage “Student Spotlight”-

          “This year’s 2013 Miss Alaska, Michelle Taylor, is the first to admit she never thought she’d be competing in beauty scholarship pageants, much less be a Miss America contestant in Atlantic City on Sept. 15.
          Like many, Michelle believed the stereotypes surrounding beauty pageants. It wasn’t until she attended a competition and followed some of the most famous beauty queens on social media that she realized it was much more than beautiful women wearing tiaras and fancy dresses.

          “These women are well-rounded, poised professionals. They have great communication skills and want to be role models for young people in our nation. It’s inspiring that they take such an active role in the community, promoting their platforms and raising awareness to hot topics and issues we face in our country,” she says.
          “I wanted to be one of those women.”

We saw Michelle perform her talent in Atlantic City and watched her exude confidence on stage (this gown was STUNNING on her) – and let me just say… Not only has she become “one of those women”…  I’m certain she now has young girls looking up to her thinking the exact same thing. 🙂

In fact, Michelle’s work as Miss Alaska is no doubt one of the reasons why there are so many contestants this year!  There are 18 girls vying for the crown – and 10 of them are brand new to the Miss Alaska stage!  That’s evidence of a growing program – Congrats Alaska!!! 🙂  We expect big things from you in the years to come! 🙂

Junkies Say Here’s Who to Watch:

Sarah Cvancara – 1st runner up ’13
Veronica Temple – 2nd runner up ’13, 3rd runner up ’11, AK Teen USA ’12, AK OT ’09
Brooke Johnson – 1st runner up AK USA ’14
Sierra Rain Begich Slade – AK OT ’08
Carolyn Layne – 3rd runner up ’13 
Victoria Bensel – Collegiate Track Athlete – she’s driven
Melissa Kaylor – Outstanding voice – 3rd place AK Got Talent’12
Malie Delgado – Strong vocal – made it to 2nd round of the X Factor on TV (3 yes votes!)

GOOD LUCK LADIES!!!  WISHING YOU THE BEST!!! 🙂

MAJ

So, here’s a little secret.  One of our favorite things… is seeing who takes the crown back in Miss America’s home state after she wins the big title!  Honestly!  We get super giddy about it!  It’s kinda like telling someone, “Sorry, you lost…. Oops!  Just kidding!”  Although perhaps not quite THAT dramatic – it’s still pretty wonderful – especially when the competition was fierce to begin with – and both girls at the top had a chance to become Miss State.

Ok – Now on to this year’s competition!

So – one of the biggest mistakes you could make, would be to think that because Miss America has come from New York the last two years in a row, perhaps this isn’t going to be much of a pageant this year…

Hmmmm… How can I say this…?

You would be WRONG!!!  Miss New York is STACKED AGAIN this year – and it’s gonna be a crazy-fight to the finish!  And don’t forget – if the winner of Miss New York becomes Miss America – it would be a historic three-peat for the first time EVER!  No Pressure! 🙂

Junkies Say Here’s Who to Watch: 

Julia Rae Schlucter – PA OT ’08, 1st runner up at MAOT, great voice,
Desiree Wiley – 3rd runner up ’13, 4th runner up ’12, SS Prelim, news reporter in Buffalo
Jillian Tapper – 3rd runner up Miss FL ’12, Baton Twirler
Jamie Hughes – former Miss VA competitor, Miss VA US ’12
Cat Janisko – 4th runner up ’12 and ’13 at Miss PA, news reporter in Plattsburgh
Kira Kazantsev – Top 10 ’13, Russian, stunning, triple major graduate from Hofstra
Christina Moore – Top 10 ’13
Jamie Macchia – Top 11 ’12
Claudette Gomez – Law Student at Columbia, 1st time at Miss NY

All the best to everyone at Miss NY!!!  Could it be 3 in a row???

MAJ

Samantha Russo has a gift.  The girl can sing!

I told you… THE GIRL CAN SING!  And – she just started taking lessons AFTER she was named Miss New Hampshire!

In addition, we loved Samantha’s “Top Things Learned at Miss America” post from her own blog… If you’re a contestant this year, do yourself a favor a read it here!  Well worth the time!!! 🙂

We’re pretty sure we’re going to be seeing great things from Sam Russo over the coming years… She won Miss NH on her first try – which might now feel like a ‘detour’ on her journey towards a career in sports broadcasting.  In fact, she has a love of baseball that warms our Junkie hearts!  Here’s wishing BIG SUCCESS to Samantha in the years to come! 🙂

Regarding this year’s competition – Lucky for us – we got to meet a WHOLE BUNCH of Junkies from NH at Miss America in Atlantic City!  Don’t think we haven’t forgotten about you 🙂  We LOVE our NH Junkies and can’t wait to see how this week’s competition plays out 🙂

Now – Junkies Say Here’s Who to Watch:

Sarah Mousseau – 2nd runner up ’12 and ’13, Prelim SS in ’13
Kendall Wipff – 1st runner up ’13, Miss Mass OT ’10, 3rd time at Miss NH
Jessica Avelar – 3rd runner up in ’13
Holly Blanchard – Prelim Talent winner, Top 12 in ’13
Joanna Shields – Miss CT competitor twice, lovely body

Big Shout Out to Stephanie and Nichole Iacuzio – sisters competing together at Miss NH!  And Junkies also wanna say “Good Luck” to Kat Howland who sent us some fabulous New Hampshire maple syrup plus other goodies from the Granite State (You Look Great Kat!!!) 🙂  

GOOD LUCK TO ALL AT MISS NEW HAMPSHIRE 2014!!!

Collage courtesy of Miss America Class Updates 🙂

MAJ

Whenever you start to think you’re busy… Remind yourself of Miss Vermont, Jeanelle Achee’s schedule the year BEFORE she was named Miss VT.  According to an online article in the Hearld of Randolph, Jeanelle juggled 2 jobs, logged over 600 hours of community service, completed her third year of nursing school and pursued a minor in global studies.  Oh – and did we mention she was also named a Truman Scholar?  Whew!  The Junkies are tired just thinking of it all!

But we shouldn’t be surprised… After all, Vermont has been crowning super smart, accomplished, women for decades and Jeanelle was no exception.  We look forward to watching Jeanelle in the years ahead and watching her excel in her field of choice. 🙂

Now – Regarding Miss Vermont 2014 – there’s a wonderful group of girls to choose from.  Different states have different preferences on what they’re looking for – but in Vermont, there’s no way you can win if you don’t have a stellar interview.  That’s what makes it a little hard for the Junkies to choose a winner – because someone’s interview ability isn’t typically something you can research online.  However, we’ve done our best – and here’s what we’ve got!

Junkies Say Here’s Who to Watch:

Jackie Croft – 1st runner up ’12, 2nd runner up ’13
Nina Merriman – 1st runner up ’13
Alayna Westcom – 4th runner up ’11, scholar award in ’11
Ashley Bourdeau – rookie, articulate, lovely headshot, zumba instructor

ALL THE BEST TO EVERYONE AT MISS VERMONT!!!  GOOD LUCK!!!

Miss Vermont 2014 collage courtesy of Miss America Class Updates!  To see a larger image, just click on the photo! 🙂

MAJ