This week’s campus celebrity might look familiar. That is because she was featured as a campus celebrity just a few weeks ago, BUT her latest achieved is SO GREAT that it was worthy of being a two-time celeb!
Jill is a Whittemore School of Business Dean’s List student who also works, maintains an Executive Board position in her sorority, volunteers, and (sorry boys!) has a boyfriend! On top of all that she does, on Friday, December 2nd, Jill was competed in the Miss University pageant, held right on campus at New Hampshire Hall. Not only did she score the overall achievements of Best Interview and Best Swimsuit – she won the entire competition! The newly crowned Miss University carved out some time to give her first exclusive interview to the one and only HerCampus!
How did you get involved in this pageant?
A good friend of mine, Adria Farr, is a former Miss Londonderry. She encouraged me to get involved with pageants after telling me all about her pageant experiences in New Hampshire as well as in Tennessee.
What made you decide to do a pageant?
I have always had the thought of doing a pageant in the back of my mind. This literally was a last minute decision. I thought, I am only getting older so I might as well give it a shot and see where it takes me. With a little help and encouragement from Adria and a few of my friends I decided to go for it.
Have you done pageants before? How did this experience compare to ArtBra were there any similarities?
No I have never done pageants before! This experience was similar to Art Bra in that it was nerve racking at first to go out in front of the judges and the crowd, but after you do it the first time it become so much fun. The audience was great and I could tell everyone was really excited to be there.
Tell me about it! What did you have to do for the pageant?
I had to do a ten minute interview with the judges which was help prior to the show. After that, we went back stage and prepared for the show. There was an introduction round, an on-stage question, a talent portion, a swimsuit portion, an evening gown portion and then they crowned the winners!
What was going through your mind when you won?
I was first announced as Overall Best Interview and then I was tied for Best Swimsuit. The MC then announced Lauren Carter as Miss Strafford County winner and then myself as Miss University. I could not believe that I had just won. I was in awe. I started crying tears of joy. I was definitely bummed that my Mom and Dad were not there, but I felt bad having them make the drive from CT… I didn’t think I would win. But I was so grateful for the people that were in the audience cheering me on including Adria Farr, Janine Mitchell, Krystal Muccioli, my boyfriend Bobby, Ali Merrell, and all of my apartment-mates and other friends!
What kinds of things do you do as Miss University?
As Miss University, I will make as many appearances in the community and on the UNH campus as I possibly can. I really hope to help out UNH Athletics with some of their promotions! I also will be working to raise money for my platform which is Breast Cancer Awareness.
What are you looking forward to most in the year ahead with your title?
I am looking forward to meeting people!!
Jill will be competing in the Miss New Hampshire pageant late April 2012, in Derry, NH. Keep your eyes peeled for her around campus, as well as the Durham community, making appearances and spreading awareness for a great cause – rocking a large sparkly crown and adorable heels, of course!