World Class Beauty Queens Magazine would like to welcome amazing Queen Mikayla Ann Wood United States Of America's Teen Oregon 2020.
Full name: Mikayla Ann Wood Title/Year: United States Of America's Teen Oregon 2020 Pageant System: United States of America's Miss Oregon Age: 17 Zodiac sign: Taurus Hobbies: Horseback riding, writing, volunteering, exercising, cooking, hiking. Platform: Women Empowerment Years competed: 3 Countries visited: 0
Likes: Country Music, swing dancing, the color rosegold, sushi, frozen yogurt,
Dislikes: Rap music, milkshakes, snakes,
Status: Taken (not married)
World Class Beauty Queens: Please tell us about yourself.
I am 17 years old and a senior attending Oregon Connections Academy. I have attendees online school for what will be my fifth year and I am very excited to graduate with my amazing class. Online school has given me opportunities to pursue my dreams and serve my community in ways I previously never thought possible. In my online environment I have had the opportunity of serving on Student Government each year and now will be graduating as Student Body President, I have also had the pleasure in being involved in National Honors Society and serving as Co President the last two years. ORCA started the first virtual school HOSA chapter last year and I had the amazing opportunity to compete in state and then placed third in my division qualifying me for nationals. Outside of school, I ride and train my 5 year old Mustang Phoenix who i adopted 4 years ago. He is truly a light in my life. I also write two blogs, one for teens specifically and another for my poetry. I love volunteering and working with children, I work with MOPS (mothers of preschoolers) regularly and absolutely love my job!
World Class Beauty Queens: What does women Empowerment means to you?
To me Women Empowerment means going against societies norms. Nowadays we live in a world where women constantly compete against one another and tear each other down. It breaks my heart \to see such amazing women being so cruel and mean to others who have just as equal value. It doesn't matter who you are or where you come from, each persona and each woman deserves mutual respect. Women empowerment means breaking the barriers of society and bringing love back to the center, we need to love each woman around us just as we love ourselves. We need to come together as women and help each other up, help in growth and ignite a fire of peace and prosperity among one another.
World Class Beauty Queens: Tell us about your pageant history.
My pageant history began back in 2018 when won the at large title of Miss Teen Oregon International 2018. I competed at nationals having never before competed and I fell in love with getting to meet so many women and make true lasting friendships and connections . What really hit me though was the fact that I could expand my already established platform and use my crown as a microphone so that people would actually listen to what I had to say. This past year I had the local title of USOA Teen Linn County 2019 and I recently one the title of USOA Teen Oregon 2020.
World Class Beauty Queens: What inspired you to do your first pageant?
I ran across my first pageant when I was scrolling through Instagram one night, it said they needed to fill spots and at that time in my life, I truly didn't thing I had a chance of being chosen. What inspired me to try however was the fact it was platform based which meant that I could build upon my anti-bullying platform I had at the time and I felt that if I was chosen it would be an opportunity to take what I was already so passionate about to the next level and make a true difference.
World Class Beauty Queens: Why did you choose to compete for your current title?
I chose to compete for my current title because after going at large once, I decided I wanted to find a system with a state pageant and more guidance available. I was good friends with the USOA Teen Oregon 2019 and she told me about the pageant and encouraged me to compete. I went to their very first open call last year and fell in love with what this organization and title stands for. My director was so kind and and inspiring when I met her that I knew instantly this was an organization I wanted to represent and a mission that would coincide perfectly with my own.
World Class Beauty Queens: To those unfamiliar with your pageant system please tell us what is it about?
The United States of America Pageant system is all about inspiring, uplifting, and empowering women to reach their dreams and goals. The USOA motto is, to EMPOWER Women, INSPIRE others, and UPLIFT everyone! My pageant system is very platform based, each contestant gets to choose her own platform to advocate for and support throughout the year. The USOA pageant system is truly a sisterhood and the way each contestant personally contributes while we still all come together as a whole is incredible.
World Class Beauty Queens: What are you being judged on during the competition?
During Competition, as a teen I am judged on, interview, evening gown, and fitness. The Miss, MS., and MRS are judged on, interview, evening gown, and swimsuit.
World Class Beauty Queens: Tell us about your experience during the competition.
My experience during the state competition was very positive. Girls were constantly offering to help each other despite the fact they were competing. It was a fun weekend, we all spent time making great memories and learning about each other on a new level. We had pajama parties prior to competition and our Red Carpet event night was spectacular. It was a very fun, positive and impacting experience.
World Class Beauty Queens: Tell us about your platform or what cause do you volunteer for.
My platform is Women Empowerment and this year I really wanted to do something that would leave a solid impact so I have planned several events over the next couple of months. On December 14th I will be hosting what I call "Purses For a Cause". I reserved a space at my local library and have been collecting donations of purses and things like toiletries, snacks , gloves, etc to go in them. We will put these purses together on the 14th and then I will be donating them to homeless shelters for women for the holidays. My goal is for these women to have a purse they can take out in public and look nice and feel good about themselves. We will also be putting together packs for young girls as well. On April 4th I am hosting a prom dress giveaway which I am calling "BeYOUtiful Prom Dress Giveaway 2020", at this event any girl with a high school ID will be able to come and receive a free dress for prom. I have been collecting donations of new or gently used formal dresses and I have collected 115 so far. My goal is to have around 500 by April to ensure every girl who shows up can find something she feels truly beautiful in. I will be collecting donations up until the day before the event and I am beyond excited to be able to help these girls not only look amazing but feel good in their own bodies. Every girl has insecurities but I want each girl who gets a dress to be able to look in the mirror and truly love herself and who she is and have the special night she deserves. On May 2nd I am also hosting free hair and makeup for girls who have prom that day.
World Class Beauty Queens: What appearances have you done with your title?
I have had a great opportunity to attend Women Crush Wednesday in Salem, OR at the Shabby Chic Bride and got to talk to so many wonderful ladies about my platform and support them and their businesses as well. I recently went and volunteered at the Snoball formal dress giveaway and I will also be attending the annual SnoBall dance. I had the pleasure of volunteering with my Mrs. at the 2019 Tamale Trot in Salem, OR and her and I will also be in the McMinville parade together the day after Thanksgiving.
World Class Beauty Queens: What are some of your achievements?
I would say some of my achievements are making the change I have wanted to see for so long. I have wanted to see girls and women come together and support one another but I never thought I would be able lead that change. Creating the BeYOUtiful dress giveaway out of nothing, knowing nothing and still now learning as I go is a huge achievement for me. Taking a dream that I have and now seeing that I have truly put it into action is more then I could have hoped for. Above all knowing that what I am doing is going to benefit others in a positive and uplifting way, that is my greatest achievement.
World Class Beauty Queens: What makes you stand out from all those other beautiful girls?
I think what makes me stand out from all the other beautiful girls is that I'm not in it for the sparkle, the shine, or the publicity. My competing in pageants and everything I am doing with my platform is not about me, it has nothing to do with me. It has everything to do with helping other girls and women reach their full potential and love themselves just as they are in ultimate capacity. I get on that stage and I walk not for myself, but for every girl who thinks she can't , every girl who thinks she isn't good enough and every girl who is being held back by what others think of her because once upon a time I was that girl, and I was lucky enough to have people in my life come along side me and truly believe in me before I believed in myself, and now it is my mission to do that exact same thing for every girl possible. I want to be the person for those around me and those I come in contact with that I always wanted in my life, I want to be a mentor and a role model to others like mine have been to me and I want to see these girls and women truly believe in themselves 110% because each girl is unique and perfect in her own way and she deserves to know that.
World Class Beauty Queens: Tell us about the moment your name was called out as the winner.
The moment when my name was called out as the winner was indescribable. I was shocked and I began tearing up immediately. To be chosen to represent Oregon and entrusted with such a huge responsibility, to know that the judges believed in my mission and my platform as much as I did, that was sincerely a moment I will never forget.
World Class Beauty Queens: What does it mean to you to be a Beauty Queen?
To me, being a Beauty Queen means putting others above myself, it means that some people may see me as the top tier, but I will serve at the bottom tier and lift other women up to the top. It means that I have an opportunity to speak and with those words spoken, inspire others. It means that I get to be a role model and show other girls and women that beauty comes from within and that it is not only your body, but your character, your mind, and your soul that makes you truly beautiful. It means that I get to help other girls reach their dreams and their goals just as my mentors have helped me reach mine.
World Class Beauty Queens: How did competing in pageants helped your life?
Competing in pageants helped my life tremendously, the biggest life change that pageants have caused for me is this, growing up being bullied I was judged and ridiculed constantly. I never wore the right clothing or had the right hair, makeup, even my body type was wrong according to my classmates. That judgement hurt and it shaped how I thought of myself which was not highly at that time. Competing in pageants caused me to walk across that stage and in doing so basically flat out say "judge me", doing that gave me the power back, power over my body, my mind, my image and how I want to be seen. Now I walk across that stage and in the confidence of knowing who I am and what I stand for, I say "judge me".
World Class Beauty Queens: How did pageants helped your selfesteem and body image?
Pageants helped my self esteem and body image by giving me something significant to work for. I developed my own workout plans years prior to pageants and I have always loved fitness and nutrition , but competing in pageants took that love to a whole new level. Now I constantly try to learn more about how to better my body and I create my ideal body image and my ideal body type, not some nonsense other people think is perfect or think I should be. Pageants helped me realize I am my own person and yes I am enough!
World Class Beauty Queens: You are an inspiration to all the girls out there. How does it feel?
It feels like the greatest honor that could be bestowed upon me. To be able to be a light to other girls and be able to reach out and encourage and support them means so much to me. I love seeing little girls light up when I get the pleasure of telling them that they are beautiful and I love it when teen girls reach out to me and want to know about my system and are considering competing. That gives me a wonderful opportunity to speak life into so many young girls and women.
World Class Beauty Queens: What is your on stage strategy to win the judges over?
I will be honest, I don't have a specific stage strategy to win the judges over, every set of judges is different and my strategy is just to be my authentic self. I don't believe in trying to change yourself for other people just so they like you, therefore I go out on stage and do my best to simply show the judges who I am.
World Class Beauty Queens: How did you prepare for your competition?
I prepared for my competition through more gym time, research and getting my mind in the right place through my bible reading and devotions. I had a crazy summer with not much time to prepare so I did what I could and used the resources I had available. I believe that how you appear on stage is just as much mental as it is physical and in order to shine you need to prepare your mind just as much.
World Class Beauty Queens: What are your tips for learning better pageant walk?
My tips for learning a better pageant walk is first find a coach you trust and work with them. identify both your strengths and weaknesses so that way you know what needs more work and you aren't wasting time. Then practice, and practice a lot, the biggest help I can think of is just practicing proper form and technique. Make every moment a pageant moment and practice your walk in your house, in town etc.
World Class Beauty Queens: What are your tips for choosing right pageant dress?
When it comes to choosing your pageant dress, above all choose something that makes you feel like a queen. When you feel good in what your wearing it shows. You could be wearing the most plain gown, but if it makes you feel like a winner then that is exactly what the audience and judges will see. Also make sure the dress fits your body proportionally and that it isn't too tight or too baggy.
World Class Beauty Queens: What are your tips for winning interview?
For interview, know your platform! I cannot emphasize this enough, know your platform and know what it is your supporting. The judges want to see that you know what your doing and have a clear path you are taking to promote your platform and serve. They want to know that if you win your going to take your platform further and make change happen, they want to know you will represent the system well so also know your system and what it stands for. Be confident! This is your time to talk about yourself and explain to them why they should give you the crown. No one knows yourself better then you, so answer their questions with respect, confidence and excitement. If your excited about your platform and your plans and goals then they will be too!
World Class Beauty Queens: What is one mistake that you've done during competing you wish you could redo and fix it?
I think my mistake I would like to go back and fix would be my posing, prior to this year, I have never had any coaching so I am still learning a lot. Posing is not my strongest point and I definitely wish I could change some of those.
World Class Beauty Queens: What other mistakes are made by girls during the contest?
Honestly I don't know what mistakes other girls make, I try to focus on the positives of other women and I don't like to point out negatives. Every mistake is an opportunity for growth and those so called mistakes are for each individual girl to address and grow from herself.
World Class Beauty Queens: Any modeling or acting experience?
No
World Class Beauty Queens: What are your plans for 2020 as a Queen?
My Plans for 2020 as a queen is to make BeYOUtiful 2020 as huge as possible and impact the lives of as many girls and women as I can. I plan to continue empowering women both in my writing and in my physical actions and helping each and every girl and women I meet to know that she is valued, loved and worth it. I will be planning more events as the year progresses, I am in the process of planning a family coat and blanket drive in January, I will be collecting blankets and coats both men's, women's and children's. Family is something we as women value most and so for the month of January I want to empower women by empowering families .
World Class Beauty Queens: What kind of legacy do you want to leave behind?
The legacy I want to leave behind is that when you win a crown , it is not about you. It is about what you can do for everyone around you. I want to leave a legacy that inspires future women to get out in their community and make change happen and know that no dream is too big. Anything is possible is you believe in yourself and your mission.
International Director: Tanice Smith 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.
Mikayla Ann Wood United States Of America's Teen Oregon 2020, World Class Beauty Queens Magazine, Photo by Chris Montgomery with Believe Consulting
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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