World Class Beauty Queens Magazine would like to welcome amazing Queen Samantha Waarum United States Of America's Miss Florida 2020.
Full name: Samantha (Sam) Waarum
Title/Year: United States Of America's Miss Florida
Pageant System: UNITED STATES OF AMERICA PAGEANTS
Age: 23
Zodiac sign: Aries
Hobbies: Teaching, learning, and community service.
Platform: “A Voice for the Children of America”
Years competed: 5
Countries visited: Ireland, Spain, Portugal, and The Bahamas.
Likes: I enjoy helping my community and raising awareness for causes that I find important.
Dislikes: There isn’t much I dislike, except maybe thunderclouds on a sunny day.
Status: Single
World Class Beauty Queens: Please tell us about yourself.
I have played soccer for 18 years of my life, and I still enjoy kicking the ball around with today’s youth. I was a D1 soccer captain, a D2 NCAA All-American athlete, D1 cheer-leader, and am obtaining a master’s degree in business. I love spending time with my family, traveling across the United States to visit my friends, and teaching the next generation of our great country.
World Class Beauty Queens: What does women Empowerment means to you?
Women empowerment is being proud of who you are and realizing that there is no limitation to the things that you can achieve. I went to a 94% male dominated military college while getting my business degree. In my time at The Citadel, I learned that success is not based on your gender, ethnicity, or religious beliefs…. It derives from the leader you are within.
World Class Beauty Queens: Tell us about your pageant history.
My first pageant was in high school at my school pageant and I placed 3rd runner-up, won best modeling, best interview, and Miss Congeniality. When I got to college, I won Miss Freedom USA and placed 4th runner-up at Miss South Carolina United States.
World Class Beauty Queens: What inspired you to do your first pageant?
I was always an athlete, but my nana always wanted me to compete in my high school pageant like she had done. I always said I would never do it… but one day I had a feeling that I would regret it forever if I didn’t at least attend the informational meeting. I went to the meeting and I knew I just had to compete to prove to everyone that I… an athlete could also be a queen. It was amazing… I made the most wonderful friends and found an internal confidence that I didn’t even know was inside of me. When I got to college, I assumed that my pageant career was over, and I was only to continue my sports career. At the military college, they cut all of my hair off, and I lost almost all of my self-esteem. When my hair grew back, I slowly got my confidence back and realized that I was not defined by my hair but by the leader inside of me. I wanted to inspire people that anything is possible, and beauty is only skin deep.
World Class Beauty Queens: Why did you choose to compete for your current title?
I submitted my application to compete for Miss Florida because I saw it as a platform for what I held so dear to my heart. The children of America need a voice, they deserve to grow up in an environment that inspires and provides unlimited opportunities.
World Class Beauty Queens: To those unfamiliar with your pageant system please tell us what is it about?
The United States of America’s pageant system has three main areas of focus: Empower, Inspire, and Uplift. Our mission is to show the world the importance of education, self-confidence, internal beauty, motivation, self-service, and so much more.
World Class Beauty Queens: What are you being judged on during the competition?
Interview, swimsuit, and evening gown are the key focuses in terms of judging for the preliminary competition. Then during the final competition; swimsuit, evening gown, and onstage question will determine the scoring. Each of these areas are important in the overall goal of inspiring women to be the best versions of themselves.
World Class Beauty Queens: Tell us about your experience during the competition.
I have been blessed to get to know my sister Florida queen, and the amazing directors along the way. I am excited to formally compete at the national competition in Las Vegas.
World Class Beauty Queens: Tell us about your platform or what cause do you volunteer for.
I am currently a 3rd grade teacher at a small Christian Academy. While teaching, I have come to learn so much about the children that I work with, children in Florida, and the children of America. I am working with my school and churches to be the voice for children who have nowhere else to turn. My platform on the National stage, as USOA Miss Florida, will be “A Voice for the Children of America”. Nothing is worse than an eight-year-old telling you she's been raped, another telling you she's considered committing suicide, two boys whose fathers were shot/killed, a boy whose father was sent back to jail, one who is waiting on his mother to be released... and the stories continue. This is the world that we live in, and to some kids, school is a chance to have a future. At the beginning, all I saw were children who aspired to go to Harvard, West Pointe, and Duke; I saw kids with the potential to be All-Americans, in the NBA, and professional musicians. Their dreams are as big as mine were growing up, and it makes my heart full of happiness. However, these children also are going through things that I could never have imagined. They deserve a voice; they deserve to go to a school where they feel comfortable and loved. They deserve so much, and I feel like this is just the beginning to making it all happen. With my platform I would like to continue to promote a collaboration of after school activities for children and for more teachers to get mental health first aid certified. Sports are a big reason that I got into college, an ACL injury is what allowed me to enter into the MBA program at UWF while playing my red-shirt senior year, and my career ending injury is the only reason I am finishing. I never knew the importance of education until my career path slipped away from me, and a new path emerged ahead of me.
World Class Beauty Queens: What appearances have you done with your title?
I was able to attend The Angelus Celebrity Golf Classic and Music Festival. I also attended the final Blue Angels show of the season. I was able to visit Rethreaded while dropping off t-shirts collected for survivors of human trafficking. I also have visited the Ronald McDonald house to work with critically/terminally ill children in Florida. I have spoken to many different groups of students throughout the state of Florida about following their dreams. I was also able to attend DT Prep Academy Christmas Jingle Jam thus far.
World Class Beauty Queens: What are some of your achievements?
SOCON Academic Honor Roll: 4.0 GPA 2018 Dean's List: 2017 and 2018 Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) – Leader 2016-2018: Created strong fellowship opportunities for over 150 student athletes at The Citadel, and worked with a small group of 6 women to help improve all aspects of students’ lives. Women's Soccer – Captain 2017: D1 SOCON captain; D2 2nd Team All-American; D2 1st Team All-Region. The Citadel Cheer and The Citadel Spirit Squad- 2016-2018 Student- Athletic Advisory Council for Citadel and SOCON (SAAC), Vice President -2017: Determined what needed to be changed for future D1 athletes in the SOCON (Southern Conference); Researched and developed a plan for athletic department at The Citadel to build a strong community base for all D1 programs for all athletes; Worked to improve the perception of athletes on campus and to improve their working environment through campus and community partnerships and community service programs.
World Class Beauty Queens: What makes you stand out from all those other beautiful girls?
I have seen more than I can ever share in a brief paragraph. Through hard work, dedication, and surrounding myself with inspirational friends; I have taken the road less traveled… and it has provided great reward. I was partially deaf until the age of 21, I had an unexpected knee injury this past year that ended my soccer career, and now I am in my master’s program while teaching the third grade. I have lived in Spain and visited a few countries. I have learned to see the world as an opportunity, and not as anything less. I went to a military college, had to cut off all of my hair, and now I teach the most wonderful group of children. I have so much experience to offer this title.
World Class Beauty Queens: What does it mean to you to be a Beauty Queen?
To most people, a beauty queen is nothing more than a beautiful woman. But in reality, it is so much more. A beauty queen is a leader, a woman of strength, a woman who understands and commits to the knowledge of those she represents. Every woman is beautiful, but not every woman is a queen.
World Class Beauty Queens: How did competing in pageants helped your life?
I never truly understood what it meant to be beautiful. It wasn’t until I took a leap of faith and saw everything that the pageant world had to offer. I found strength and confidence in the woman that I have grown to be.
World Class Beauty Queens: How did pageants helped your self-esteem and body image?
I have always been an athlete. I am built like one too. Never once have I felt insecure about the shape of my body since starting pageants. I have learned to love myself in every way. Self-love is the key to happiness.
World Class Beauty Queens: You are an inspiration to all the girls out there. How does it feel?
This means the world to me. Life is tough, but to know that there is someone else out there who understands is amazing. I want girls to look at me and know that anything is possible. Taking the road less traveled has led me to achievements I could only dream of. “Shoot for the moon, even if you miss, you’ll land among the stars” -Peale
World Class Beauty Queens: What is your on-stage strategy to win the judges over?
My on-stage strategy is also my strategy to life. Be a confident woman, and love those around you. If we all lived a strong and confident life, if we all showed compassion and care… this world would be such a better place. I want the judges to not see another pageant queen on stage, I want them to see me for the woman I am, inside and out.
World Class Beauty Queens: How did you prepare for your competition?
I am blessed to have 3 coaches. Christine Jump has prepared me for interview and been a phenomenal life coach. Jeff @mrqueencity has been my personal fitness trainer. Cyrus Frakes has been my pageant coach and stylist along this journey. I have worked with numerous people along the way in terms of volunteering and representing the children of America.
World Class Beauty Queens: What are your tips for learning better pageant walk?
Stand tall, be confident, and strut.
World Class Beauty Queens: What are your tips for choosing right pageant dress?
Choose whatever you feel the best in ... but if you can’t decide, I was always told to go with whatever makes you look taller. J
World Class Beauty Queens: What are your tips for winning interview?
Be yourself but come prepared. These women are smart, talented, and have worked just as hard as you. Find what makes you different and remember that this journey is a platform so make a difference!
World Class Beauty Queens: What is one mistake that you've done during competing you wish you could redo and fix it?
I have no regrets. I have made mistakes, but they have made me into the woman I am today.
World Class Beauty Queens: What other mistakes are made by girls during the contest?
People tend to forget why we are here. It is not for a crown to go in a trophy case, it is to inspire and make a difference in the world.
World Class Beauty Queens: Any modeling or acting experience?
Minor modeling for local photographers.
World Class Beauty Queens: What are your plans for 2020 as a Queen?
I enjoy expressing my artistic abilities by creating the sets for my church plays. I collect school supplies for hurricane evacuees (ongoing), send packages to those in the military overseas, and am an advocate for the USO. Growing up, I played sports at the Police Athletic League, and I now continue to volunteer with PAL. I also collect books for underprivileged young readers. I am helping my family start a nonprofit for children in sports. I donate supplies to Ronald McDonald House, and shirts to Rethreaded which helps human-traffic rehabilitation programs. I have completed over 1500 service hours since starting high school… but there is so much more volunteering to be done. I want to be an example for women of all ages when it comes to community service, and I want to set the stage for the next queen.
World Class Beauty Queens: What kind of legacy do you want to leave behind?
I would like to leave a legacy of love, respect, commitment, and perseverance. I want to be a reminder to follow your dreams, no matter how far fetched they may seem. Enjoy every moment. Never forget that volunteering and helping others is a reward in itself. When it is all said and done, be a person that can look back and be proud of the difference she has made. Lastly, being a woman is powerful. Never lose sight of your own self-worth, stand tall, and lead those bound to follow!
Pageant Director: Tanice Smith
Pageant website: https://www.unitedstatesofamericapageants.com/
World Class Beauty Queens Magazine would like to say thank you for this amazing interview.
Samantha Waarum United States Of America's Miss Florida 2020, World Class Beauty Queens Magazine, Photo by Angel Studios
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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