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| PHOTO BY ND PHOTOGRAPHY |
GIVE THREE ADJECTIVES THAT YOUR FRIENDS WOULD DESCRIBE YOU.
Passionate, genuine, charismatic!
NAME THREE THINGS THAT YOU WOULD NEVER DO.
1. I will never skydive because I am terrified of heights.
2. I would never pass judgment on anyone before I got the chance to know them. Our society is quick to pass judgment on one another instead of encouraging each other, sometimes we pull each other down. This is something I would never do to someone else.
2. I would never pass judgment on anyone before I got the chance to know them. Our society is quick to pass judgment on one another instead of encouraging each other, sometimes we pull each other down. This is something I would never do to someone else.
3. I would and never will be self-centered. I live by this scripture: “Do nothing out of selfish ambition rather in humility value others above yourself.”
CAN YOU LIVE WITHOUT DESIGNER SHOES? WHY OR WHY NOT?
Living without designer shoes would be easy for me. I was raised in a family of nine and it was rare to find anything designer in our house. I wore hand me downs and very affordable items! This taught me that it doesn’t matter what you wear, but how you wear it. A person can still be extremely chic whether they’re wearing name brand or not! It’s all about confidence in your own skin and clothing.
DO YOU THINK THAT "SEXUALITY EDUCATION" SHOULD BE PART OF ELEMENTARY SCHOOL CURRICULUM IN AMERICAN SCHOOLS?
Yes, I do believe sexual education should be a part of elementary school curriculum in American schools. It is important to educate our youth; it would be beneficial to them if schools started to introduce a non-threatening sexuality education option as part of the curriculum, if approved by the guardian of each student.
WHAT ARE YOUR GOALS FOR THE NEXT FIVE YEARS?
In the next five years, I plan to expand my nonprofit, Girls2Girls, to several states. This will provide positive community leaders to young girls ages 8-15. I plan to be heavily involved with my community, speaking to thousands of youth and encouraging them to dream big and never give up. I plan to finish my degree in business and graduate with honors. I hope to expand my jewelry business, Intricate Designs. I plan to pursue my dreams of acting and modeling as well.
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| PHOTO BY PAGEANT PHOTOGRAPHY |
IF YOU WON MISS USA AND ONE OF THE CANDIDATES TOLD YOU THAT YOU DIDN'T DESERVE THE CROWN, WHAT WOULD YOU TELL HER?
I would explain to her that, whether we believe someone deserves something or not, everyone has his or her own destiny and mine was to become Miss USA. If I were to win the title of Miss USA, I would understand that everyone will have opinions, but I would be incredibly proud of myself and would not let the naysayers affect my positive attitude.
IS PHYSICAL APPEARANCE IMPORTANT? WHY OR WHY NOT?
I believe it is important to live a healthy lifestyle and take care of our bodies because we only get one. Physical appearance should reflect a healthy mind and body, which can mean many different things. But I feel that you cannot base beauty solely on physical appearance because it is much deeper than that.
DO YOU THINK THAT OUR CULTURE IS TOO PREOCCUPIED WITH BEAUTY? HOW COULD WE CHANGE THAT?
I do believe that our culture rewards and perpetuates narcissism. The media presents unrealistic overly photo-shopped images of women and causes regular people to feel they must live up to unrealistic standards by any means necessary. We have to teach the future generation that beauty is not defined by what you see in magazines.
I believe we can start changing this perception of beauty by encouraging people to focus on being involved in their communities and speaking with young women about how they define beauty, while explaining to them that the images in the media are far from “real.”When people start to give back, they will realize that life is about so much more than a good “selfie.”
DESCRIBE YOUR DREAM MAN (OR IF YOU'RE GAY, DESCRIBE YOUR DREAM WOMAN).
My dream man is funny, honest and secure with himself. I love to laugh so if they take themselves too seriously and don’t have a sense of humor, it will not work out.
IF YOU COULD GO ON A BLIND DATE WITH ANY MAN (OR WOMAN) IN THE WORLD, WHOM WOULD YOU CHOOSE AND WHY?
I have a huge crush on the actor Michael B. Jordan. He is handsome and genuine and has an amazing personality. I would melt if I ever got to meet him, let alone go on a blind date.
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IF YOU HAD TO BE ANOTHER WOMAN FOR ONE WEEK, WHICH WOMAN WOULD YOU CHOOSE TO BE AND WHY?
I would choose to be our first lady, Michelle Obama; her initiatives to promote healthy lifestyles in young people are something I truly believe in and her interest in our future leaders has always inspired me.
HAVE YOU EVER HAD COSMETIC SURGERY OR ANY OTHER ALTERATION TO YOUR APPEARANCE?
No, what you see is what you get!
I think self-acceptance is most important and is a message we should be promoting. You have to love yourself and exude confidence. A confident and natural woman is far more appealing than manufactured beauty. I always speak to young woman about self-esteem and how it all starts with accepting your flaws and knowing you are truly beautiful from the inside out.
WHY DO YOU FEEL THERE IS SO MUCH ANTI-AMERICAN SENTIMENT AROUND THE WORLD TODAY?
I believe people have a lot of false stereotypes about America. When I meet different people from all over the world they always say I am nothing like they thought. Each country has its own stereotypes and it’s about breaking down these barriers to show people that America is truly the greatest country in the world.
WHAT ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF ABOUT THE U.S.A.?
I am proud to be in the land of opportunity and freedom. I am proud that the USA is constantly evolving to become a stronger, greater, and a more unified country. We are leaders in technology and in the military and we truly use our power to help struggling and underdeveloped countries.
DO YOU THINK THAT THERE SHOULD BE A CERTAIN AGE WHEN PEOPLE ARE FORCED TO RETIRE?
I believe success is defined in being able to do what you love everyday. Whenyou have a career you love, it is no longer work, but fulfilling. So I don't think anyone should be told when he or she has to stop feeling fulfilled. We should all work as hard as possible and achieve as much as we can while we have the time and the will.
DO YOU SUPPORT LAWS TO REQUIRE MANDATORY BILINGUAL EDUCATION FOR ALL STUDENTS IN AMERICAN SCHOOLS?
I encourage every young person to take advantage of the free language education they receive while in school. Being a bilingual communicator has huge advantages in the marketplace, workforce, and in day-to-day interactions. I support the implementation of this into American schools because it can only benefit the children of our future.
PEOPLE SAY THAT MOST PAGEANT CONTESTANTS ARE RELIGIOUS. DO YOU AGREE OR DISAGREE?
I had never heard that before and I don’t necessarily agree or disagree. I truly believe that there are so many different types of contestants in the pageant world and that’s what makes pageantry so special. You can be successful in any pageant system, despite your religion!
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WHAT WOULD A POTENTIAL EMPLOYER LEARN ABOUT YOU FROM REVIEWING YOUR SOCIAL NETWORK ACCOUNTS LIKE FACEBOOK, INSTAGRAM OR TWITTER?
My social media accounts show a young, Christian woman that loves her family more than anything. It also reflects an altruistic businesswoman who started her own non-profit Girls2Girls. Lastly, it shows someone who is down to earth, outgoing, and fun.
WHAT HAVE YOU GAINED BY COMPETING IN PAGEANTS?
My life has completely changed since starting pageantry. Pageantry has given me the confidence to overcome so many fears, such as speaking in front of large crowds. I was inspired to start my own non-profit organization through my platform of mentorship because of pageantry. Competing has changed my life for the better and pushed me to become the best possible version of myself and for that I am thankful.
Follow Renee on Instagram
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Thank you, Renee, for granting us this interview
and we wish you the best of luck in Miss USA 2015!
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