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1.) In today's society, women play prominent roles
in business, politics, education, sports, entertainment, and the arts.
What are the two primary contributions pageants make for today's women?
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The two primary contributions that women are offered by
pageants are life changing! The first is financial. By offering scholarships
and prize money to pageant winners, a woman is able to afford herself
the opportunity to better her position in life by continuing her education
in undergraduate or graduate programs. The second contributions that pageants
offer a woman is "access" which allows a woman to enter into numerous
situations that she would not normally be involved in. This access gives
her the ability to use her gifts and talents to improve her life, and
the lives of others, in the process.
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2.) What is the single, most important message a titleholder
can convey?
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The single, most important message that a titleholder
can convey is that in order to reach your goals in life, you need to continue
your education, dedicate yourself to your mission, practice, and believe
in endless possibilities. As a result, you will be more determined and
confident to achieve your goals and success will follow.
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3.) Are you currently attending school or involved
in any educational studies? If so, what are you studying? Where? What
are your eventual goals?
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Yes, at Hawaii Pacific University. I am studying for my
Master's in Business Administration with a Marketing emphasis. My eventual
goals are to complete my Master's Degree.
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4.) Are you currently employed? If so, what is your
occupation?
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Yes. I am an Event Coordinator for PGA Golf Tournaments
for Communicator Sports & Entertainment in Oahu, Hawaii, and I am a catering
coordinator for Pele's Hawaiian Partners in Maui, Hawaii.
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5.) Name one personal accomplishment (in addition to
being a state titleholder) that makes you especially proud.
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The personal accomplishment that I am most proud of is
being President and Treasurer of my sorority. Much like being a titleholder,
I knew that I only had one year to take advantage of my position. I dedicated
myself to improving every aspect of our chapter and made sure that all
the women were involved and satisfied. This was one of the most challenging
experiences of my life thus far because, as everyone knows, you can't
please everyone! I had the opportunity to run a small business while dealing
with everything from the financial issues to community involvement. The
office of President gave me confidence in my leadership and speaking skills,
as well as the ability to motivate and make a difference in the women's
lives around me. I wouldn't have been able to win the title of Miss Hawaii
USA if it had not been for the valuable life skills that I gained through
my experience as President of my sorority.
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6.) What have you learned about yourself during the
past year?
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| During this past year, I have had to face many
life-changing events while attaining my goals. I never dreamed that I would
be preparing for the Miss USA Pageant while attending graduate school. Making
the move from college in Santa Barbara, where my life had been set for the
past four years, to the island of Oahu (my home is in Maui) was quite the
change. I have learned that goals do not come without sacrifice and that
I have the strength to adapt to these different environments and make a
new life for myself. There are enormous opportunities waiting for me in
my future. I will play the major role in helping these opportunities to
become realities. |
| 7.)What is the most daring or adventurous
thing you have done? |
| I jumped off a 40-foot cliff in Maui! I hate
doing things like this; I would never bunjee jump or sky dive. I'm pretty
much a wimp when it comes to that stuff! So, when it came time to hike to
the top of the falls and jump off the top of the pool, I, of course, was
the last one to jump. And I hated every minute, but I did it! |
| 8.) Describe what you think the role of women
will be in the 21st century. |
| Because the majority of women will become mothers,
we need a dual role of balancing between motherhood and careers. It seems
that we have moved from the traditional motherhood role of the 50's to career
women of the 90's and now we need to swing back to a more balanced position
in the beginning of the 21st century. |
| 9) What charity/charities have you supported
with your time and/or resources in the past? |
| In college, I helped raise over $10,000 for the
Nancy Davis Center Without Walls to benefit multiple sclerosis. I also supported
charities including the Boys & Girls Club, Special Olympics and the Breast
Cancer Foundation. I have volunteered at numerous community events such
as: Make a Difference Day, Lahaina Relay for Life, Shriner's Hospital, Kids
Voting Hawaii, and many more. I am also a guest speaker for a program called
Positive Connections where I speak to Hawaii's youth about goals, self-esteem
and a drug-free lifestyle. |
| 10.) What expression/slogan/motto best describes
your view of life? |
| "The past is history, the future is mystery and
the present is a gift. That's why we call it a present." I first read this
expression in Depak Chopra's "Seven Spiritual Laws to Success." It struck
me because many people do not live their lives in the present; they are
focused on what is behind them and what is to come. I strongly believe that
we all need to live in the present because no one can predict what will
come in the future. What has occurred in the past, whether it be good or
bad, can be left behind or taken with us as we journey into our future.
But, the important thing is to live for the day because you only have one
chance. |
| 11.) What is your most treasured possession?
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| My most treasured possessions would have to be
my photographs. They would be the first things I would grab if there were
ever a fire. Photographs allow you to relive those happy moments in your
life with the people you love. Whenever I'm bored, I'll start to rearrange
the pictures in my frames, or I'll go through the thousands of pictures
in my photo albums or boxes. My friends know me as always having my camera
with me. And, I've even been accused of missing those special moments because
I was too concerned about taking a picture to capture it. I just smiled
and said, "You'll appreciate it when you have the picture to remind you
of this moment forever." |
