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Maria Montgomery
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Article from 2009

Doing sit-ups at midnight. Thinking and re-thinking answers to possible interview questions. Buying an entirely new wardrobe. And feeling the love and support of friends and family.

This has been sophomore Maria Montgomery’s life recently as she prepares to compete as Miss Kentucky USA in the 58th Miss USA Pageant April 19 at the Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino in Las Vegas, to be telecast live on NBC.

Montgomery, a 19-year-old Danville native, was crowned Miss Kentucky USA on Dec. 19. Since then, she has been busy preparing for the once-in-a-lifetime competition and working to get as much of her assigned coursework done as possible before she leaves campus on April 3.

The EKU communication disorders major plans to become a speech-language pathologist and hopes to work in an elementary school eventually. Regardless of the outcome of the pageant next month, she plans to earn her degree. Winning the Miss USA title would just change the time frame.

“I have a passion for helping children in any way I can,” she said. “So, my education is important to me. The professors here at Eastern have been very generous to work with me and the Miss USA pageant.”

The Boyle County High graduate was awarded a Presidential Scholarship at Eastern and has been on the President’s List or Dean’s List every semester she has attended college.

Montgomery has also been busy with weekly trips to Nashville to meet with the personal trainer assigned to her after her Miss Kentucky USA win and also works out just about every chance she gets.

“I know that the pageant is about more than just appearance,” she explained, “so I have also been meeting with interview coaches and practicing interview techniques on my own. Some practice has come from participating in live radio and television interviews.”

Shopping for the wardrobe she will need for her two-and-a-half-week pageant trip has been one of the easier preparations she has had to make.

Montgomery, who began competing when she was 14, knows that it’s difficult to fully understand the benefits of pageantry unless one has participated in them.

“Pageants give young women opportunities to develop life skills as well as assist in growing self-esteem,” she explained. “For example, I feel much more comfortable speaking in front of a crowd and in job interviews since I have participated in pageants.”

Her local titles have included Miss Kentucky County Fair, Miss Kentucky State Festival, Miss Boyle County, Miss Rural Heritage Scholarship, Miss Perryville Battlefield Scholarship, and Miss Teen Perryville Battlefield.

She especially appreciates how pageant titles allow her opportunities to make differences in the lives of others. However, her favorite part of competing is meeting the other contestants and making lasting friendships.

“Despite the rumors of pageant contestants, the girls are sweet and supportive in my past experiences,” she said. “Some of my best friends, including my current roommate at EKU, are girls I met through pageants.”

She is confident there are more friendships waiting to be made at the Miss USA Pageant as well.

“To represent Kentucky in the Miss USA pageant is a dream come true,” she explained. “I have been watching this pageant on television and hoping I would get a chance at Miss USA since I can remember. It means so much to me to be chosen to represent the great state of Kentucky in an internationally-viewed event. I’m confident I’ll have a blast meeting each contestant, visiting Las Vegas, and, of course, competing in the pageant on April 19. I have been trying to simply relax, have faith, and enjoy every minute of this because I know the pageant will be a wonderful experience!”

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