World Class Beauty Queens Magazine would like to welcome amazing Queen Kara Alicia Campuzano United States of America’s Mrs. Oregon 2020.
Full name: Kara Alicia Campuzano
Title/Year: United States of America’s Mrs. Oregon 2020
Pageant System: United States of America’s
Age: 33
Zodiac sign: Taurus
Hobbies: Gardening and watching Hallmark Movies!
Platform: Type 1 Diabetes Advocacy
Years competed: Off and on for 30 years.
Countries visited: One day I will travel the world. I have not left the United States of America yet.
Likes: Watching my children grow, gardening in my home garden (vegetables and fruit), and volunteering in my community.
Status: I have been married for almost 15 years.
World Class Beauty Queens: Please tell us about yourself.
I am a born and raised, fourth generation Oregonian. I grew up in small town USA, Amity, Oregon. There is still not a stop light in that tiny town. My husband and I met in high school, yes, we are high school sweethearts. He was an all-star standout football player and I was a cheerleader. Right after high school my husband entered the United States Marine Corps. We got married young, I was 19 and he was 21. We lived West Coast to East Coast for eight years and had the opportunity to meet so many amazing people during those years. We experienced two deployments with him in the Middle East and one long deployment to Japan. We now reside in Oregon’s Capital City, Salem, with our two beautiful children. Brody is 10 years old and Isabella is 6.
World Class Beauty Queens: What does women Empowerment means to you?
Women Empowerment is an opportunity for women to not be afraid to show their confidence when it comes to important decision making in their personal and professional lives. There is no need to feel as if one must agree with someone to avoid conflict, especially if one knows it’s morally and ethically not sound. Women Empowerment is believing in yourself and standing up for women who have not yet found their voice. We, as women, are in this together.
World Class Beauty Queens: Tell us about your pageant history.
I grew up in and around child pageants from about age three to 18. I fondly remember all of my volunteer responsibilities as well as appearances. Being in parades were my favorite as a young girl.
World Class Beauty Queens: What inspired you to do your first pageant?
I was so young when I entered my first pageant. I know what inspired me to enter my first pageant for married women, was my competitive nature. Friends and family encouraged me to participate and in 2012 I competed in Mrs. Oregon America. I placed fourth runner up. Although it had been nine years since I had competed last, I was so proud of myself on how well I did.
World Class Beauty Queens: Why did you choose to compete for your current title?
The United States of America’s Pageant is a newer system and was only on it’s second year in Oregon with I won my title. I asked around with a few of my closest pageant friends on what they knew about this pageant. They said the director was kind and extremely organized, that it was a great system that empowers women to be their authentic selves and it let their contestants be involved in their community through their own platform of choice. I wanted to compete in USOA Mrs. Oregon as an opportunity to help grow the system through my large personal network of community and professional partnerships.
World Class Beauty Queens: To those unfamiliar with your pageant system please tell us what is it about?
The USOA pageant system is all about empowering women to be their authentic self and to be confident in their own skin. The United States of America’s Pageant offers local state competitions or an application process to be an at-large queen. There are four divisions for each state: Teen, Miss, Ms., and Mrs. The National Director is very active with her at-large queens to make sure that all contestants feel and are part of the same sisterhood. There is a national competition that is held every year, in Las Vegas, Nevada.
World Class Beauty Queens: What are you being judged on during the competition?
As a Mrs. Contestant I am being judged on interview (50% of the score), evening gown, and swimsuit. The top finalist will have an on-stage question. The Teen and Miss contestants have fitness wear instead of swimsuit.
World Class Beauty Queens: Tell us about your experience during the competition.
The ladies and young women I have met from competing in the USOA Mrs. Oregon are hands down some of the most individuals I have met. Watching them promote their platform has been so inspiring and eye opening. I have become good friends with my pageant sisters and the daily, yes daily, motivation I get from them because of their kindness, is overwhelming.
World Class Beauty Queens: Tell us about your platform or what cause do you volunteer for.
There are so many causes that I care for. My platform, however, is near and dear to my heart. It is Type 1 Diabetes advocacy in partnership with JDRF, a non-profit for Type 1 Diabetes research, education, and outreach. Our son, age 10, was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes at just five years old. Our world changed, as did his. He gets up to five needle injections of insulin a day and pricks his fingers up to 10 times a day to constantly achieve control of his Type 1 Diabetes. Brody is our Type 1 Superhero. We have hope for a cure someday!
World Class Beauty Queens: What appearances have you done with your title?
I have been able to become an official Ambassador with JDRF to promote, educate, and advocate for those living with Type 1 Diabetes. I have volunteered at their local state of Oregon events. I also have made appearances within my local community supporting the amazing non-profit organizations in Salem, Oregon. I helped organized and attended the annual Friends of Pimpollo Tamale Trot Run/Walk, which benefits children in impoverished states of Southern Mexico. Most recently, I volunteered and handed out finisher medals at the Veterans/Marine Corps Birthday Run and Walk.
World Class Beauty Queens: What are some of your achievements?
I am an accomplished career woman in the hospitality industry. I have received two awards in the past two years that recognizes my hard work and dedication to the hospitality and tourism industry. In 2018 I won the Allied Member of the Year Award with Oregon Society of Association Management and in 2019 I won the Supplier of the Year Award with Meeting Professionals International Oregon Chapter. In 2018 I was honored to be a distinguished speaker at the annual Amazing You Women’s Conference held annually in Salem, Oregon.
World Class Beauty Queens: What makes you stand out from all those other beautiful girls?
Every woman who steps on that stage is beautiful. I give my success to my dedication to my community through volunteerism and showing up when needed. I am outspoken with causes that are passionate to me, like Type 1 Diabetes Advocacy. I know that I have made a difference and impacted my community through my endeavors.
World Class Beauty Queens: Tell us about the moment your name was called out as the winner.
I honestly couldn’t believe it. I knew the competition was tight, as every woman I competed against were truly inspiring and worked so hard. I started crying, and then once I heard my kids in the audience yelling for me, I couldn’t stop crying. I felt so thankful, and I couldn’t stop thanking the judges. It was a moment in my life, that I will never forget.
World Class Beauty Queens: What does it mean to you to be a Beauty Queen?
A beauty queen is a woman who worked hard and proved to herself and others, that anything is possible. A beauty queen is strong, courageous and confident. She is also fierce.
World Class Beauty Queens: How did competing in pageants helped your life?
I have gained so much self-confidence and public speaking skills through competition. I know this has helped me become as successful career woman and dedicated member to my community and causes.
World Class Beauty Queens: How did pageants helped your selfesteem and body image?
I took the opportunity to work with a coach to really fine tune my public speaking skills. I used prepping for the competition as a way to become more confident in who I was as well as my physical self. Preparing to compete gave me the opportunity to become a healthier me through better eating habits as well as daily exercise. I have always been confident but when you feel better because of better lifestyle choices, you mentally feel better about yourself.
World Class Beauty Queens: You are an inspiration to all the girls out there. How does it feel?
I have always looked up to my mentors in my life. I know that I am a mentor to young ladies out there. When I am out in the community with my crown and sash on, it’s so heartwarming to see young girls and women smile from ear to ear. That humbles me.
World Class Beauty Queens: What is your on stage strategy to win the judges over?
Practice, practice, practice. I will stay true to who I am while letting the nation see that I am their queen. I will speak with confidence and grace, and of course, just have fun!
World Class Beauty Queens: How did you prepare for your competition?
Besides eating healthy and exercising, I take time every day to practice interview and onstage questions. At work I have post it notes on my computer screen with answers to common questions as well as reminders to stay true to who I am with inspirational quotes. My kids also enjoy asking me off the wall questions at random that I must answer quickly. It’s become a way to engage my family into preparation for my competition. They enjoy helping mommy.
World Class Beauty Queens: What are your tips for learning better pageant walk?
Get help when needed and again, practice, practice, practice. Even when just cooking dinner or getting ready for work in the morning, I put on those six inch heels and rock them. My kids think I am silly, but that is what keeps me on my game. I have a long hallway at home, and that is where I like to practice my swimwear walk!
World Class Beauty Queens: What are your tips for choosing right pageant dress?
My first tip is to find a style that you feel comfortable with and beautiful in. It’s like picking the perfect wedding gown. Once you put it on, you will know.
Secondly, to pick a color that doesn’t wash your skin tone out. Find a friend who will offer great constructive feedback. Have fun with it. This is every woman’s time to shine!
World Class Beauty Queens: What are your tips for winning interview?
Speak confidently, slowly, and with grace. I also recommend to make sure that your interview is modest but yet modern. Stay classy, and not a lot of jewelry. This is a woman’s time to show your personality. If possible, research the judges as soon as you get their bio. Also, read the newspaper the morning of your interview. All hotels have a newspaper, and I grabbed a morning copy to read at breakfast time at my state competition.
World Class Beauty Queens: What is one mistake that you've done during competing you wish you could redo and fix it?
I concentrate too much on how I am walking. I know that I needed to loosen up and just have fun. The judges want to see your personality and your walk is one of the best ways to show it!
World Class Beauty Queens: What other mistakes are made by girls during the contest?
I think we all have mistakes that we can learn from. I took my lower scores, as an opportunity to really hone in on that area. Some girls are not as strong in their walk as maybe they are in interview and vice-versa. Did I say, practice, practice, practice, yet?
World Class Beauty Queens: Any modeling or acting experience?
When I was a child I did some on screen commercial acting. In high school I was in theater all four years. Outside of that, I really don’t have any prior modeling or acting experience.
World Class Beauty Queens: What are your plans for 2020 as a Queen?
My plan is to continue to be an advocate for JDRF and to continue volunteering in my community for causes that are near and dear to me. I will always promote the amazing Unites States of America’s pageant system to my friends and family. The new year will also bring new USOA Miss Oregon local title queens as well as the opportunity to look for more young ladies to join the sisterhood! 2020 is going to be an amazing year.
World Class Beauty Queens: What kind of legacy do you want to leave behind?
I want my legacy to be that of a queen who devoted her time to her community and family, through volunteerism and outreach. I will be remembered as someone who continues to fight for Type 1 Diabetes research and advocacy. I want to be known as a mentor to ladies in pageantry.
National Director: Tanice Smith
Your Local Director: Amber McMullen
Pageant website: https://www.unitedstatesofamericapageants.com/
World Class Beauty Queens Magazine would like to say thank you for this amazing interview.
Kara Alicia Campuzano United States of America’s Mrs. Oregon 2020, World Class Beauty Queens Magazine, Photo by Believe Photography.
Interview by Derek Tokarzewski Owner/Editor in Chief Mr United Nations 2018 Platform: Women Empowerment Ambassador to International Foundation for Orphans iffocares.org
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