Kalie Wright, Miss Idaho 2015, is just a girl from Idaho who went on to become something special…

Kalie learned to play piano and guitar near the age of 8 – and was traveling with a group of musicians playing from LA to New York, by the age of 15.

Then, Kalie’s pageant career went from zero to 60 when she competed for the Miss Idaho title and finished as the 1st Runner Up in 2014 to Sierra Sandison.  Kalie then went on the the Miss Sweetheart Pageant (a national pageant for state runner up’s in the middle of Hoopeston, IL) where she was named the National Sweetheart Pageant Winner. She then came back to Idaho, and was won the title of Miss Idaho 2015.

At Miss America, Kalie earned a well-deserved non-finalist talent award for her awesome and ‘somewhat hippie’ rendition of “Somewhere Over the Rainbow”… When listening, you could’ve sworn you were sitting in a coffee shop, enjoying a late-night latte, rather than watching Kalie on the Miss America stage – Which is precisely the effect Kalie wanted to have. 🙂

Junkies wish Kalie all the best as she passes on the Miss Idaho title! With her amazing talent and striking appearance, we know the sky is the limit for the future Mrs. Korfe (Congrats Kalie!).

And now, who do Junkies think has the best chance at being named Miss Idaho 2016?

If you’re in Idaho – it should be a GREAT pageant this year! You can learn our Top 5 picks when you become a Premium Junkie… Learn more at this link here…

GOOD LUCK LADIES!!! Junkies LOVE IDAHO (and we’re coming one day! Promise!)

#BigJunkieLove

Carrie Lakey

Junkies are big fans of Emily Kieliszewski (even though we can’t say her last name – HA!)…

Emily won the Miss Michigan title on her sixth try… That’s right – SIX TRIPS to Miss Michigan before winning!  Impressive!

Also – Emily’s platform is called, “Adopting America’s Children” – based on her own personal family’s experience consisting of 3 biological siblings, and 3 more adopted children. In fact, Emily helped develop legislation and raise awareness on the adoption of children – and would like to one day attend law school, emphasizing on family law.

Emily is also a super friendly – and told me I had “impeccable hair” when we met at Miss America’s Outstanding Teen in Orlando… Which made me laugh, AND instantly fall in love with her 🙂

I’m pretty sure I’m not the first person to “fall in love” with Emily… She has a heart of gold, a great love for kids in the Children’s Miracle Network hospitals (as evidenced on her social media pages), and has done a wonderful job of raising the awareness of her state title!

Junkies wish ALL THE BEST to Emily with the last name we can’t pronounce… Clearly, you’re destined for amazing things in your future – and we can’t wait to watch you shine beyond the Miss Michigan stage! 🙂

And now – who do The Junkies think has the best chance at winning the Miss Michigan 2016 title? Well – if I had to choose a pageant that was “WIDE OPEN” this week – I’d go with Michigan.  ANYONE can win this year – So, it certainly wasn’t easy to make our picks, but we’ve done it!

To see who we’re picking to make the Top 5 at Miss Michigan, just sign up to become a Premium Junkie. To learn more, just click here…

GOOD LUCK LADIES!!!

#BigJunkieLove

Carrie Lakey

According to an article at NJ.com, Lindsey Giannini’s grandmother seemed to know her granddaughter would become Miss New Jersey one day…

Inside the article, Lindsey’s mom is quoted as saying, “Ironically, when she was a very little girl, her grandmom would sing the classic theme song, ‘There She Is Miss America,’ but she would change the words to “Here She Comes Miss America” when Lindsey walked into a room…”

And even though Lindsey didn’t capture the Mis America title, she certainly has done her state proud, promoting the “Dangers of Distracted Driving” all across New Jersey.

Lindsey is the co-founder of a 501c3 organization called “People Agains Distracted Driving” (or PADD) and she designed a street sign that can be seen up and down the state, reminding people to “Stay Alive – Don’t Text and Drive”.  AND – all of her incredible work was recognized at Miss America, as Lindsey took home a $6000 scholarship and the Quality of Life award for outstanding community service!

Congrats Lindsey on your amazing accomplishments – and for choosing to pursue the Miss America organization.  All of your hard work, has certainly paid off in more ways than one – and who knows how many lives your program has impacted in a positive way!

And now – who do we think has the best chance at being named Miss New Jersey 2016? Well – that’s a mighty fine question – Especially this year!

Out of this amazingly talented class, we’ve narrowed our picks – and you can see them when you become a Premium Junkie… Find out more, at this link here…

GOOD LUCK LADIES!!! Wishing everyone in New Jersey ALL THE BEST!!!

#BigJunkieLove

Carrie Lakey

Sarah Hider has had a busy year as Miss Ohio…

Sarah’s platform is called, “Women Hold Up Half the Sky” – And she’s taken her messages to a variety of audiences throughout her state…

For instance, she’s spoken to sorority members about being fearless as they pursued their dreams … She’s spoke to middle school girls about positive body image and the negative effects of bullying…

And she also spoke to The Ohio State University football team about… Well – Actually, I don’t know what she spoke about, but they seemed to love her nonetheless… (and this is a pretty freaking fabulous photo – so I had to include it – LOL!)

A strong social networker, Sarah has certainly raised the bar for social media in Ohio! She’s also been someone who talks about the fact that there is no clear line between your personal and your professional life on social media these days… Her solution?

Let your future employer, “see the special person you are.” (quote from the Athens Messenger).

After serving as Miss Ohio’s Outstanding Teen in 2008, then coming back to win Miss Ohio 2015, Junkies know Sarah is bound to continue being a positive role model for women in the years to come – And we wish her all the best as she pursues her own ability to show people the special person she already is. 🙂

And now, who do we think has the best chance at winning the Miss Ohio 2016 title?

We’ve made our predictions – Find out who we think might make the Top 5 at Miss Ohio 2016, when you become a Premium Junkie… Learn more at this link…

GOOD LUCK LADIES! JUNKIES LOVE OHIO!

#BigJunkieLove

Carrie Lakey

Can I be honest?

I do my best to write individual “tributes” to each of the women who competed on the Miss America stage… That means I research the snot out of each woman and try to find one of two things:

1. Something unique that people may not know about each contestants
2. Something someone has done to highlight the awesome things regarding each contestant.

Today – I could tell you how incredible Miss New Mexico 2015, Marissa Livingston is – But instead, I’m going to show you a pretty fabulous video put together by the University of New Mexico, showcasing Marissa and her achievements.  It’s only 2 minutes, it gives you a WONDERFUL sense of who Mirada is as a person, and it’s WELL worth the watch!

In addition to this great video, Marissa was also honored as the non-finalist interview award winner at Miss America, which means, you can see her 10 minute interview on the Miss America DVD (available for purchase here). FYI – It’s the second time New Mexico has won the non-finalist interview award in the past 3 years 🙂

Junkies extend big congratulations to Marissa on your performance at Miss America, as well as your year as Miss New Mexico. It’s pretty obvious that she understands opportunities don’t just happen – but if there’s something you want to achieve, and you’re willing to make the right choices and do the work to get there, your dreams can come true. 🙂

And now – Who do Junkies think will be named Miss New Mexico 2016? Well – with 30 ladies in this year’s pageant, it’s not an easy choice! Find our who we’ve put in our Top 5 when you become a Premium Junkie… To learn more – just click here…

GOOD LUCK LADIES!!! Junkies Love The Land of Enchantment!

#BigJunkieLove

Carrie Lakey