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Why
did you decide to compete in the Miss Connecticut USA pageant?
Growing up I
never missed a Miss Universe, USA, or Teen USA pageant on television. I admired the beauty
of everyone involved, and in all honesty...I never imagined that I would be on that same stage! I had received an email about
competing while I was away at school; I rushed my entire application back to my director so that I wouldn’t miss the
deadline. Preparation wise, I did absolutely nothing. I found a swimsuit at home
the night before I left for the pageant, grabbed a black Marc Bouwer dress, and put together a black dress and hot pink blazer
combination for my interview attire. I didn’t have any proper "pageant training" nor did I work out in preparation for
the pageant. I went in to the pageant with the mindset that the judges would either love
me for who I was or that I just wouldn’t be their cup of tea. I think the fact that I was so fresh and un-programed
worked in my favor. The entire experience was a bit overwhelming, but I found that the girls who focused on their pageant
training tips were far more jittery than the new girls. I have always been one to be myself, and I know that I was true to
myself throughout the entire course of the pageant. The true reason for me competing
in the pageant was clearly that I wanted to win! Just as every girl competing
does. It was my dream to compete in Miss USA,
and I was lucky enough to have my dreams come true!
What
was going on in your head when you were announced as the new Miss Connecticut USA pageant?
Once I was called
into the pageant's top 15 I was thrilled, top 5 I was almost out of breath! There are no words to describe the feeling of
standing hand in hand with another girl, hoping to win. I was placed against a pageant veteran and an audience favorite...I
was the definite underdog. Once I heard that I was not named first runner up I just began to cry and shake! I could hear my
parents cheering, and as the crown was placed upon my head I had no idea what a life-changing experience I was about to embark upon! My honest first thoughts revolved around my school-work! I had to be back at
my University that evening to finish typing a number of papers so in a sense all of my nerves caught up with me in that flutter
of excitement, and all I was imagining was schoolwork!
What
would be your most memorable moment at Miss USA?
Miss USA was filled with some of THE most incredible moments of
my life, I’m not sure if I could pick one singular moment to gush over. The moment I am asked about most often is my
"meeting" Donald Trump, and that is one of the Miss USA moments that stands out most in my mind. A group of girls had been
rehearsing the swimsuit number, and I was one of them. We had been informed that Mr. Trump would be arriving that day, and all of the girls were buzzing with
nerves and Excitement. When the swimsuit number was complete, the doors at rear
of the auditorium opened, and almost on cue with lights and music Mr. Trump walked in...in a manner that only he could. It was so surreal to see such an idol of mine, and actually be able to shake his hand!
You
studied political science in university, are you planning to pursue a career in
that field?
When I entered
college I was very active in politics. I had been my high school's student government
president and I was very idealistic. After four years of studying politics, and being accused of being a hypocrite due to
the fact that I was competing in pageants, which in the minds of most of my professors was not a feminist ideal, my interest
in pursuing a career in political has since faded.
How
did you pick your evening gown for Miss USA?
I would come
home from university on weekends to participate in events and purchase outfits for Miss USA. On one of those weekend trips
home my mother and I stopped in Nordstrom’s. We were browsing through a
couture dress section, just for fun, and my mother pulled out a Redux by Charles Chang Lima gown. The moment I saw the dress I knew that it was "the one". I’ve never been one to be too overdone,
I like simple style and clothing, and this dress truly represented my personal style.
What would be your most memorable moment as Miss Connecticut USA?
I was able to participate in so many wonderful events as Miss Connecticut USA. One event that was most special
to me involved premature babies. I was born two-months premature, and at birth
I weighed only 2lbs 14oz. I was born in Bridgeport Hospital in Bridgeport, CT
and as Miss Connecticut USA I was able to return to the hospital in which I was born and personally thank the doctor who saved
my life, as well as spread the word to all new parents who had given birth to a "preemie” that their baby will grow
up to accomplish great things.
What
emotions were you going through when you gave away your title
as Miss Connecticut USA?
Before I gave
up my title, I was simply hoping that I would pass along my crown to a young woman who was "real" and deserving of the title. It was a bittersweet moment, and the emotion of that point in time did not truly hit
me until I embarked on my final walk. I walked to Somewhere over the Rainbow by Israel Kamakawiwo'ole, and each time I
hear that song I tear up a bit. It was a year that simply flew by, a dream that
I wished I couldn’t have harnessed forever. But, I had my chance, and it
was time to let a new girl shine.
Lastly, what have you been up to since your reign as Miss Connecticut USA ended?
Since returning
from Miss USA I graduated from the University of Scranton in May 2008 with a Bachelor
of Science degree in political Science and history. I have since done a bit of
modeling. I am currently in the process of applying to law school, having taken
my LSAT’s in the beginning of June. I am currently working for my favorite sports team, the New York Mets as a member
of the Pepsi Party Patrol. I am able to act as an in-game host on the jumbo-tron and interact with fans at every home game; truly a dream job!
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