This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at OK State chapter.

I had the incredible opportunity to learn more about the National American Miss Oklahoma 2016-2017, who is not only a student here at OSU, but one of your #hcokstate girls! Cortni won her title in July 2016 and told us ALL about pageant life and her experiences at OSU!

Q: Will you hold this title for one year and then run again or give it up after a certain amount of time?

I hold my title for a little over a year. I’m 20, so I can no longer compete in this pageant system because I am in the oldest age division.

Q: How long did you practice for the pageant?

Preparing for a pageant is a year long process. For state I practiced about an hour a day every day. For Nationals I practiced every day for 2-3 hours. I was coached and went to Crown Camp where we practiced about 6 hours for two days and skyped my coach 2-3 times a week for 2 hour sessions. The more competitive the system and whether it’s a state or national level pageant, the more you have to practice.

Q: What is your talent?

My talent differs depending on the pageant. I dabble between singing “My Heart Will Go On” and playing piano “River Flows Through You” otherwise known as Bella’s Lullaby.

Q: What is your platform?

I have two platforms. My first platform is called “The Page Project” it focuses on education for elementary level children and developing the skills to read at a higher level and creating the building blocks that are required to make reading easy and fun. My second platform is about Sexual Assault, its still a work in process and I have a few projects planned in the Stillwater community to educate those that has been or know someone that has been sexually assaulted.

Q: What is the environment like at such prestigious events?

The feeling in the crowd is different then that on stage. Of course there’s pressure because you hold yourself to such a high standard and expect to take home to title, so while competing you can feel that from the other contestants. On stage you’re nervous and excited but you have to remain poised and composed. The crowd is full of your friends and family members as well as those for the other girls competing so they’re loud and screaming and cheering. It’s exciting and you can just feel the excitement in the air as soon as you walk in.

Q: What year are you and what is your major?

I’m a sophomore pursuing a double major in Sports Media and Multimedia Journalism, hoping to one day work for ESPN or inhouse for the Dallas Cowboys.

Q: Why did you come to OSU?

When I was growing up, I was a die-hard OU fan and had planned on attending the university when I graduated high school, but I came to OSU for a tour of campus and I fell in love with the people and the university. Oklahoma State is known for having one of the best Sports Media programs in the country as well and as a Sports Media major I jumped at the chance to attend the university and be a part of that program.

Q: Are you involved in a sorority?

I’m a sophomore in Alpha Xi Delta. My freshman year and part of my sophomore year I was the PanHellenic Delegate Assistant. I was also on the recruitment team coming into my sophomore year and I helped with all things recruitment.

Q: Do you have any other organizational involvement?

I am a writer for HerCampus at Oklahoma State University. Here at OSU. I write for the school paper, The O’Colly. I am a part of a ministry group here on campus called Reformed University Fellowship, and I am also in a woman’s bible study group.

Q: What are a few goals for your remaining time on campus?

I hope to one day be a student commentator for football and basketball here at OSU. I love my sorority and I love recruitment, so during my time in my sorority I hope to be the recruitment chair or a Gamma Chi and help incoming freshman through the recruitment process. I would love to also compete for Miss OSU, which goes on to compete at Miss Oklahoma in the Miss America Organization.

Q: What is your favorite thing about OSU?

I love the environment here. Everyone is always so nice and friendly. The campus is beautiful. And of course I love OSU game days because everyone comes together to cheer on our cowboys. OSU has a family aspect that I love and it is truly my home away from home.

Our Q&A with National American Miss Oklahoma 2016-2017

We wanna slide into your DMs