Miss USA 2013 Wants to Help You Learn to Code

BY ZOE HENRY

What's next for media starlet, Miss USA 2013? Contrary to popular belief, she won't be heading for Hollywood. Rather, she's tackling the gender discrepancy in math and science.

The national pageant winner, along with the founder of LearnToProgram Media, Mark Lassoff, just launched a Kickstarter campaign yesterday to raise money for their upcoming web series. Dubbed Code Café, the webinar will feature Erin Brady learning how to code right along with viewers, in 9 episodes spanning two separate seasons. Lassoff and Brady hope to raise a total of $15,000 in crowdfunding, which will go towards production, editing, media costs and equipment. The series itself will be free of charge, thus attracting both individuals and schools.

"Over the course of my year as Miss USA, I had the opportunity to meet impactful women in the STEM industries," says Brady. This, she adds, alerted her to some pretty harsh realities: While 74 percent of girls in middle school express interest in pursuing STEM, less than 1 percent of high school girls opt to major in computer science in college. Only 14 percent of all engineers worldwide are women, and in the U.S., women are estimated to make just 77 centsfor every male dollar earned.

Incidentally, studies show that many of the women who do pursue jobs in the tech world end up leaving for other fields. Generally speaking, it's not for lack of interest: Rampant sexism, which translates into an unsupportive work environment, is one commonly cited factor. And it's not just women getting the short end of the stick: Many argue that the field itself suffers from the gender imbalance. "When you limit yourself to half of the population...we lose some of the best and the brightest," Lassoff told Inc. The best way to tackle the issue, he says, is to get women interested in coding early. After all, coding has become a big part of "modern literacy...[It's the] sheer power to crunch numbers and solve really big problems." Indeed, everyone from politicians to NBA stars to venture capitalists seem to agree that coding is the one, sure-fire career booster in almost any industry. And with Miss USA at this project's helm, Lassoff hopes to attract plenty of young female talent.

Code Café isn't the only initiative aiming to make Tech more egalitarian--just look at startups like GoldieBlox, a toymaker that gets girls interested in engineering. The company landed a SuperBowl commercial earlier this year, and also won the "Educational Toy of the Year" award for a product that helps girls build belt-drive machines. Such projects suggest that an uptick for women in STEM may certainly be in our future. But if the persistent pay gap--and high-profile sexist work conditions--are any indication, society still has a long way to go if we want to get them (and keep them) there.

Two UVA Law Students to Compete for Miss Virginia USA Crown

Source: http://www.law.virginia.edu/

The first time University of Virginia School of Law students Kiara Williams and Erika Baldwin met wasn't at the Law School, or even elsewhere on Grounds. They were participating in last year's Miss Virginia USA pageant. "One of the other contestants asked me if I had met the other UVA law student," Williams said. "I told her that I thought she was mistaken, because there couldn't possibly be another UVA law student competing for the title of Miss Virginia USA. Then, I met Erika."


Now in their third year of studying law, the two friends will compete again for the title of Miss Virginia USA on Nov. 29-30 in Charlottesville. The pair are finding that the valuable experience they've gained through UVA Law — in classes, during job interviews and in professional settings — gives them an advantage on the stage.It's lucky for us that Kiara and I excel in public speaking  because we get that experience in our everyday life," Baldwin said. Williams was fourth runner-up as Miss Manassas USA in last year's finals, and is this year's Miss Roanoke. Baldwin, who was last year's Miss Charlottesville USA, is this year's Miss Southern Virginia USA. The pageant system allows eligible women to choose the qualifying location that's most convenient for them. The law students will vie for the state title at the Paramount Theater against about 20 other women in interview, swimsuit and evening-wear rounds. The pageant will culminate on Nov. 30 at 4 p.m. before a live audience. The competition will also include the Miss Virginia Teen USA pageant, and advertises more than $500,000 in scholarships for the winners, finalists and semifinalists. Williams said she started competing in pageants at first for the scholarship money. "But then I realized there are few organizations that will let a young woman, [age] 18 to 27, get in front of a crowd and talk to people," Williams said.

She found that pageants teach young women how to speak well, carry themselves and command attention — all of which are useful skills for lawyers. Williams' father is Sanford Williams, a 1996 graduate of the Law School who works in D.C. as special counsel for the Federal Communications Commission. She grew up in Charlottesville and Manassas, but chose to compete in Roanoke this time because it was the only pageant that didn't conflict with her work as a summer legal intern for the Disney ABC Television Group in Los Angeles. Her goal is to become an entertainment lawyer. 
"Disney had over a thousand applicants, and they chose one." Williams said. "That's going to help me a lot in my future." Baldwin, who said she hopes to work for a public defender's office after law school, chose Bristol, Virginia, as this year's pageant entry point. The location was closer to her hometown of Greenville, South Carolina, where she returned for a few weeks over the summer. She spent the other part of her summer working for the UVA Office of General Counsel and investigating the validity of a murder conviction for the South Carolina Office of Indigent Defense.

Both women are working in Washington, D.C., this semester through the Law School's externship program. Baldwin works for the Environmental Enforcement Section of the Department of Justice. Williams is with the Student Press Law Center. Their pageant platforms also tie into their interests as law students. Williams speaks to school-age children about the value of setting goals in order to accomplish dreams, while Baldwin talks to children about preventing global climate change through measures they can take at home. The women have other talents, too — Williams sings and Baldwin is a competitive weightlifter — but the Miss USA pageants don't feature a talent round. Nevertheless, Baldwin said her supporters will be wearing T-shirts that feature a muscle holding a crown and the hashtags "#teamerika" and "#loadedguns."

The women said having pageants in common has made them close friends, and they are looking forward to competing not against each other, but with each other. "A lot of times the final question of the pageant is: If you could pick one girl to win, and it isn't you, who would you pick?" Baldwin said. "In class recently Kiara said, 'I would say you.' And I said, 'I would say you.' "I don't know if I would be any less happy if we were the final two standing, and she was the one who took the crown."

Miss Indiana USA 2015 Results

Source: http://www.thepageantnetwork.com/

Gretchen Reece (23-5'8") was crowned Miss Indiana USA 2015 at the conclusion of the state pageant held on November 2nd, 2014 at the Renaissance lndianapolis Resort Hotel in Indianapolis. She will represent the state of Indiana in the upcoming Miss USA 2015 pageant, in the summer of 2015.

Gretchen Reece is the daughter of Doug and Sue Reece of North Vernon, Indiana. She is a graduate of Jennings County High School and Butler University. Gretchen is a motivational speaker in schools for Preventing Destructive Decisions and is the Vice President of Students Against Destructive Decisions. She is also a member of the National Speech/Language/Hearing Association and the Director of the Music at Epsilon Beta Chapter of Alpha Phi. She enjoys showing horses, fitness and wellness, spending time with friends and family, and reading historical non-fiction. As a career-oriented woman her dream is to work in a pediatric healthcare facility as a speech-language pathologist specializing in fluency disorders. She wants to balance a career with the comfort and support of a family, and continue to be involved in pageants as a volunteer. Gretchen describes herself as charismatic, passionate, and ambitious.

Official Results

Miss Indiana USA 2015 - Gretechen Reece

1st runner-up - Alexis Irene Ginn

2nd runner-up -  Morgan Abel

3rd runner-up - Destiny Dever

4th runner-up - Brittany Winchester

PAGEANT DESIGN's Success Stories

We are honored to be able to add a new section to our website where we congratulate our clients on their recent titles and accomplishments! Check out our "Success Stories": http://www.pageantdesignsolutions.com/#!success-stories/cwr5

Jara Courson crowned Miss Florida Teen USA 2015

2015 MISS ILLINOIS TEEN USA CROWNING

On September 1, 2014, at the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts in Skokie, Illinois, Megan Riesner was crowned MISS ILLINOIS TEEN USA 2015. The pageant is produced and conducted by Vanbros and Associates Inc. by license with Miss Universe LP, LLLP.

What A Weekend!

WOW! What a weekend! Thrilled to congratulate the following PAGEANT DESIGN clients: Rachel Barcellona, winner, Miss Florida Collegiate 2015; Dominique Collins, 3rd RU @ MISS WV USA 2015; Charlotte Trattner, Miss Amity winner @ MISS FL TEEN USA 2015; Carolyn Munson, Charlotte Trattner, Tiffany Rivera, Daniela Albrecht and Katharine Mahaffey, Top 16 semi-finalists @ MISS FL TEEN USA 2015; Grace Smith, 4RU; Taylor Pearce, 3RU; Brooke Garrison, 2RU; and Jara Courson, our new Miss Florida Teen USA 2015! (and Miss Photogenic winner!) Beyond excited to have been a tiny part in all of these young ladies' journeys. #PageantDesign #PageantAds

We offer graphic design solutions for all your pageantry needs! Pageant Ads | Pageant Program Books | Websites | Flyers & Promo Items + more! | For samples, check out:http://www.pageantdesignsolutions.com/ and like us on facebook:https://www.facebook.com/pageantdesign • ALL STATES, ALL AGES, ALL PAGEANTS SYSTEMS WELCOME!

MISS NW FL 2015 Program Book Content Pages

The 2015 MISS NW FL competition is almost here, so we can finally reveal the program book cover and content pages! "Sunset On The Serengeti" was the theme this year, and we had tons of fun with it!

 

#PageantDesign #PageantAds | PAGEANT ADS / PROGRAM BOOKS / COACH, DIRECTOR & DELEGATE WEBSITES / FLYERS + much more! | For samples, check out: http://www.pageantdesignsolutions.com/ and like us on facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pageantdesign • ALL STATES, ALL AGES, ALL PAGEANTS SYSTEMS WELCOME!

Julia Dalton is Miss North Carolina USA 2015

Source: Miss Universe

She is the sister of Miss USA 2009 Kristen Dalton and she won the crown of Miss North Carolina USA 2015! Julia Dalton will represent her state at Miss USA 2015 next summer, the winner will represent the USA in the Miss Universe 2015 competition. Congratulations to her! She was previously Miss North Carolina Teen USA 2008 (2nd runner-up at Miss Teen USA) and 3rd runner-up Miss NC Teen USA 2007. By the way, Julia’s mother was Miss North Carolina USA 1982. Dalton is of English and German ancestry.

Julia’s sister, Kristen Dalton represented North Carolina in the Miss USA 2009 pageant broadcast live from Planet Hollywood in Las Vegas, Nevada where she became the 2nd Miss North Carolina USA to win the Miss USA title; the state’s only prior winner was Chelsea Cooley, Miss USA 2005.

MISS NW FL 2015 Program Book Cover

The 2015 MISS NW FL competition is almost here, and the program books are now home, so we can finally reveal the cover for all of you! "Sunset On The Serengeti" was the theme this year, and we had tons of fun with it! (photo by the amazing J'Lyndee J. Photography)

A big THANK YOU once again to all the delegates (and parents!) who chose PAGEANT DESIGN for their program book ads! We appreciate each and every one of you!#PageantDesign #PageantAds | 

Graphic design solutions for all your pageantry needs! | PAGEANT ADS / PROGRAM BOOKS / COACH, DIRECTOR & DELEGATE WEBSITES / FLYERS + much more! | For samples, check out: http://www.pageantdesignsolutions.com/ and like us on facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pageantdesign • ALL STATES, ALL AGES, ALL PAGEANTS SYSTEMS WELCOME!