VIDEO: Catherine Muldoon – Miss Virginia USA 2012

In Catherine's own words:

"Work hard to achieve your dreams.  When you achieve your dreams, work hard to remain grateful."

Catherine Muldoon currently holds two degrees of higher education. She obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree from New York University in 2007 and in 2011 she was awarded a Doctor of Dental Medicine degree from the Ivy League University of Pennsylvania. Presently, Catherine works as a Cosmetic Dentist at Konikoff Dentistry in Virginia Beach, Virginia.

Catherine has worked diligently with Operation Smile, an international organization that provides surgeries to repair cleft lip, cleft palate, and other facial deformities for children around the world. She has also volunteered for humanitarian dental missions, which took her to both Nicaragua and Costa Rica. There, she was able to deliver dental treatment to those in need as well as practice her Spanish.

When Catherine is not treating patients, she enjoys playing water sports, socializing with both new and old friends, and spending time with her Maltese dog, Winnie. (Bio courtesy of the Miss Universe Organization)

-Will the Pageant Guy
  

VIDEO: Holly Allen – Miss Wyoming USA 2012

In the words of Holly Allen:

"To ascend a peak takes courage and passion, but the true testament is found in what you do once on the summit."

Holly Allen attended California State University Chico on a four-year scholarship. There, she graduated with honors and earned a degree in business and marketing. Born and raised in Lander, Holly refers to herself as a ‘true Wyoming country girl’. Her family owns and operates a guest ranch in the remote Wind River Mountains. Every summer, Holly has guided guests through the mountains, teaching them how to ride horses and fish. She was also the ranch chef, where she says she perfected her creative culinary skills.

Holly was on the executive board of her sorority and was involved in several activities and fundraisers, most prominently for the American Heart Association. During college, she spent a semester abroad studying in Australia, in which she extended her trip for a month-long solo-backpacking excursion around the country.

After graduation, Holly’s desire for a challenge led her to dive into the world of IT. She currently works with Fortune 500 companies nationwide, staffing their tech departments. She says she thrives on the interaction with people of various backgrounds, cultures, and expertise. (Bio courtesy of the Miss Universe Organization)

-Will the Pageant Guy
  

VIDEO: Michelle Leonardo – New Jersey USA 2012

In Michelle's very own words:

"I have always lived by the quote, 'Your dreams will carry you, but you have to be willing to fly first.'  This organization has inspired me to spread my wings, allowing me to discover the power I have to make a difference."

Michelle Leonardo currently studies at Suffolk University where she is working toward earning a Bachelor of Science in Journalism. Michelle enjoys participating in the Suffolk Voice, Cooking 101 and was a member of the Suffolk University Dance Team.

Michelle works as a college reporter for Boston based television show “Style It Up.” Most recently, she attended Boston Fashion Week covering Daniel Faucher Couture and Lily & Migs. She hopes to someday be a reporter for ESPN working either as a sideline reporter for the New York Jets or in the dugout at Yankee Stadium.

Michelle has been dancing since she was three-years-old and has captured numerous titles and scholarships including Miss Teen Starquest, Star Systems Top Advanced Senior Soloist, two time winner of Jump Convention and was a Competition VIP scholarship recipient. She is also a six-time Company Dance scholarship recipient. (Bio courtesy of the Miss Universe Organization)

-Will the Pageant Guy
  

VIDEO: Jessica Martin – Miss New Mexico USA 2012

In Jessica's own words:

"Be bold, take risks, dare to dream; but above all else, serve others, lead with your values, and always remain authentic."

Jessica Renee Martin is a native of Las Cruces, New Mexico where she is a senior at New Mexico State University majoring in both business and marketing, and also minoring in sports marketing. Her future plans include obtaining a master’s degree and pursuing a career as a marketing director for ESPN.

Jessica says her life has always revolved around sports. She began playing sports at the age five, and throughout the years has participated in gymnastics, softball, volleyball, basketball, and track, where she was once ranked the third fastest in the State of New Mexico in the 400 meter dash. She is also a 2007 Girls 5A State Basketball Champion. Jessica is a self-confessed pogo stick enthusiast and once jumped 1,042 times non-stop.

Jessica donates much of her time and energy to causes that are dear to her heart, including Big Brothers/Big Sisters and the American Cancer Society's "Relay For Life." Her volunteerism continues as she travels to local schools throughout New Mexico, addressing the serious issue of bullying; she discusses her experiences of being bullied for over eight years and how she was able to overcome it.

When she is not on the basketball court or in the classroom, Jessica can be found whitewater rafting, jet skiing, hiking, and eating anything and everything with hot green chile. Jessica is of Spanish, Mexican, French, German, and Polish descent, and says she is blessed and honored to represent her home state of New Mexico. (Bio courtesy of the Miss Universe Organization)

-Will the Pageant Guy

  

ARTICLE: How to Be the People’s Choice

Placing Top 16 at Miss USA and being named "Fan Favorite" for the Miss USA 2011 title was one of my top 10 highlights as Miss New Mexico USA 2011. There is something so humbling about millions of people believing in an individual and taking the time to claim their voice. Sometimes I am overwhelmed just imagining the amount of people who took the time to learn about me, invest in me, and support me. It was more than I could have even dreamed of as a way to sum up my experience at Miss USA.

Whether you are a 2012 Miss USA contender or simply in pursuit of a state or local title these 10 Tips on “How to Be the People's Choice” will help you connect & build relationships to further grow who you are as an individual and what you bring to the table as a potential titleholder. This is the time to let your connections and personality shine and work to your favor as you vie for the a crown. Here are my Top 10 ways of claiming your voice and securing a spot on the big stage:

1. Leverage Relationships: I love the opportunity for communities, families, and people of all diverse backgrounds to come together & support a female leader. I am so impressed by the Miss Universe Organization’s ability to recognize the power of relationships and influence that each woman has in her community.  I've got a sneaking suspicion that most titleholders have a wonderful skill of building relationships and influencing others. Well ladies, werq what cha’ got! Don’t limit yourself to the pageant world, reach out to the networks that you have worked so hard to create and cultivate all your life, you’ll be surprised at who is willing to support you. I could not have received the support I had last year without all of the partnerships that I made along my journey. Thanks to Teach For America, the Herbalife nutrition community, my alma mater of New Mexico State University, my sorority Zeta Tau Alpha, and radical self-love blogger (& my personal idol) Gala Darling I was able to mobilize a diverse range of voices and support.

2. Be Creative: Whatever you can do to capture attention in a manner that is authentic to your personality, go for it (but keep it classy!). I used traditional forms of communication such as Facebook and Twitter to market the links to vote, but instead of just posting a typical ole’ link I made an effort to grab attention in unique ways. Every day I would post a reminder about the link, but prefaced it with something funny or thought provoking to generate and invite a conversation first. My favorites were: “Why do men have nipples? I have no idea, but I do know that you can vote for your favorite Miss USA delegate right now!” or when I offered to give fortunes to anyone who responded to my link that they had voted. Think outside of the box, you’ll stand out and break the worlds’ stereotypes of a “pageant girl" & have fun in the process.

3. Take Risks: My favorite blogger & lifestyle idol is Gala Darling of galadarling.com. With her (at the time) hot pink tress and tattooed sleeve it could have been very easy for me to assume she had no business with pageant girls -- but I took a risk anyway. I sent her an email totally out-on-a-limb about an opportunity to expand my impact & voice. And wouldn't you know,  she responded to me with the utter most enthusiasm and joy! She interviewed me for her ever-so-popular blog and helped capture and rally a traditionally “non-pageant” crowd to support me. Not only do I believe she played a significant role in the fan vote but she also taught me some stellar lessons along the way. Take a risk; you’ll be glad you did. (See my risk here!)

4. Express Gratitude: I cannot tell you how important an attitude of gratitude is. Not only does it take mental space to remember to vote each day, but it also takes time out of people’s day. Every time someone engages in a conversation with you or notifies you of their support be excited to respond to them with pure humility. Whether you rep' a small state or a big state you are still no greater than someone’s time & support. Be gracious and humble, you will always succeed a win, tangible or not.

5. Share Your Story: Sure your family better be voting. And that ex who did you wrong? Yeah, he owes you a couple of votes as well -- but why on earth should any stranger invest their time in you? Well -- let ‘em know! As a title holder you have been blessed with the gift of a voice, not many people in the world are as privileged. Share your voice and tell the world who you are & be yourself gosh darn it. Don’t tell them what you think they want to hear, tell them who you are and what you stand for, then leave it up to them if they want to support you or not. Be real, be vulnerable, and put yourself out there. I limited myself to no boundaries; I exposed myself in every form possible. While I was in Las Vegas for three weeks I wrote on my blog every night (Day 1), no matter how tired or exhausted. If anyone was gracious enough to listen I was enthusiastic enough to share my experience.

6. Market Yourself: Ain’t no shame in marketing yourself, as long as it’s tasteful and represents you. Design a reminder flyer that captures attention and leave stacks of them at local businesses around town (I made pink "ticket stubs" with my crown shot, the date of the show, and the info for voting so that strangers would feel connected to the final telecast, even if they were watching it from their couch). Print the link off on mailing labels and stick ‘em to your autograph pictures. Include the link on your email signature so that every email you send out shares the information potential votes need. Think of all the ways you can engage with others and spread the word -- there are endless possibilities if you put your mind to it and many take minimal to no effort.

7. Take Yourself Out of The Picture: Let’s get one thing straight -- it’s not about you. Rid yourself of the “Vote for me, Prom Queen!” attitude and think big picture. People aren’t voting for you, they vote for all you stand for. They are voting for your beautiful state, they are voting for your actions and desires as Miss USA, they are voting for something bigger than yourself. The sooner you realize that the sooner others will understand what they are investing in.

8. Reach Out:  Make some effort and reach out to the local radio (and don’t just limit yourself to the “hot hits” stations, the folks who listen to “oldies” might end up being more proactive about supporting), local TV stations, & the local news paper. I was privileged as Miss New Mexico USA to write a weekly column for my local newspaper. When the voting began they were so gracious to promote the vote, and by that point people already knew what I wanted them to know about me and what I stood for. Don’t just think inside the lines either, your community is full of people who will love you once they get to know you. Offer to serve for an hour at a local restaurant in effort to connect with more people, even if they don’t vote they’d still love the opportunity to connect with you & you will learn more about the people you represent.

9. Know Why (or if) You Want This: Before people should know why they want to vote for you YOU need to know why they should want to vote for you. Draft out all of the reasons why you want to be Miss USA, list as many as you can. Then narrow in and pinpoint the reasons that mean the most to you. Do the same for all of the things that you love about your state or the things you love about yourself. The better you know yourself the easier it will be to articulate to strangers.

10. Believe in Yourself: No matter what state you represent or what experiences you have had you are still capable of achievement greatness. I represented one of the smallest states at Miss USA 2012, but I did not let that stand in the way of knowing what I knew was possible of myself and of my state. You have worked hard for your privilege to represent yourself and your community, and everyone is on an equal playing field. Believe that you can make this possible and you will find the ways to do it.

...as I stood up there in the Top 16 line up, I knew I was not alone. I felt the presence of everyone who had been on this journey with me: everyone who had sent an email, who had posted a link on Facebook, who had communicated to others about why New Mexico deserved to be represented on that national stage. I loved the community that my placement reflected and the reminder of the many people I have been fortuned to connect with.

Have fun, be yourself, and don’t stress about the outcome. Whether you win the “Fan Vote” or not still recognize how many people put their faith in you and gave you their support. I assure you, the woman who seeks abundance out of all situations will continue to be prosperous. As you seek this incredible opportunity to be this year’s Fan Favorite remember to first & foremost be humbled by the love of strangers. The experience will soar by but the people you carry with you will outlast any crown.

Fans & Spray Tans-

This post was was written by thePageantGuy.com’s guest blogger, Brittany Toll. Brittany was Miss New Mexico USA 2011 and a Top 16 Finalist at the Miss USA 2011 pageant, winning America's vote as the Fan Favorite. Brittany also held the title of Miss New Mexico Teen USA 2005 and placed Top 10 in the Miss Teen USA 2005 pageant.

  

VIDEO: Erika Frantzve – Miss Arizona USA 2012

In Erika's own words:

"We are all only human. Live by faith and compassion. Walk with the knowledge that you have a divine purpose and mission in life to change the world."

In 2006, Erika Lane Frantzve founded a 501(c)(3) charitable organization named Everyday Heroes Like You, which is a group that assists other nonprofits across the country. Erika and her partners are constantly finding ways to promote and celebrate the “everyday heroes” in communities nationwide. The organization hosts numerous events to support groups like the Sojourner Center, Packages From Home, the USO, Border Patrol Foundation, Arizona Humane Society, Make-A-Wish Foundation, Boys & Girls Club, UMOM, and Big Brothers Big Sisters.

For the past two years, Erika has focused on supporting the military. Erika has a background in political science and has worked with numerous high-ranking military officials. Erika also created two outgrowths of Everyday Heroes Like You: Johnny’s Locker and PAWS for a CAUSE. These programs allow Erika to work with The Fisher House and the VA Medical Center in Washington, D.C. She looks forward to opening the third Johnny’s Locker this summer at The Georgetown Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center.

Erika’s number one love, aside from philanthropic work, is sports. She played women’s basketball at Regis University, and she enjoys volleyball, golf, and track. Erika also modeled and acted in Los Angeles, Denver and Arizona. In May, Erika will proudly graduate summa cum laude from Arizona State University with a dual degree in political science and international relations. (Bio courtesy of the Miss Universe Organization)

-Will the Pageant Guy