Alexandra Hoffman Interview
Miss South Dakota Teen USA 2006
Miss South Dakota 2008 (top 15 @ Miss America 2009)
Why did you decide to compete in the Miss South Dakota Teen USA pageant?
I decided to compete in the Miss South Dakota Teen USA pageant for the first time my junior year of high school. I received a flier in the mail and really liked the idea. Being an athlete my entire life, I thought this might be a great way for me to step outside my comfort zone and do something that my friends and family really wouldn’t expect from me. I knew it would help with my interview skills and becoming more comfortable onstage. I had so much fun and met so many fantastic young women the first year I competed that I decided to come back again the next year. Luckily, I won the title of Miss South Dakota Teen USA 2006 and went on to compete for the title of Miss Teen USA.
Why did you decide to compete in the Miss SDSU pageant?
After I competed in the Miss Teen USA pageant, I decided to take a few years off from the pageant scene and focus on my college education. When I heard about another contest at the college I was attending, Miss SDSU, I thought it would be fun to compete again. I knew that the Miss America Organization offered scholarship money and that was something that really attracted me to the organization. I eventually ended up winning the title of Miss SDSU & went on to compete for the title of Miss South Dakota 2008.
What was going through your head when you realized you were the new Miss South Dakota?
To be honest, I was completely shocked when I won the title of Miss South Dakota 2008. It was such a whirlwind of an experience. I went from competing in a local pageant at my college to now having the opportunity to become the next Miss America. I was so excited and even a bit nervous at first. I knew the job of being Miss South Dakota was a very time-consuming commitment. I also knew I had to take a year off of school and my college swimming career. These were the sacrifices I had to personally make to be able to be the best titleholder I could be, but in the end I now know it is one of the best things that could have ever happened to me.
What was going through your head when you realized you were the new Miss South Dakota?
To be honest, I was completely shocked when I won the title of Miss South Dakota 2008. It was such a whirlwind of an experience. I went from competing in a local pageant at my college to now having the opportunity to become the next Miss America. I was so excited and even a bit nervous at first. I knew the job of being Miss South Dakota was a very time-consuming commitment. I also knew I had to take a year off of school and my college swimming career. These were the sacrifices I had to personally make to be able to be the best titleholder I could be, but in the end I now know it is one of the best things that could have ever happened to me.
What would be your most memorable moment at Miss Teen USA?
My most memorable moment at Miss Teen USA is probably one of my funniest moments. One day during rehearsals, all of the contestants were practicing the swimsuit portion of competition. The stage had a very long runway with steep stairs on three sides of the runway. At the end of the swimsuit walking pattern, you had to turn around and immediately step down the stairs. After I turned around I tried to step down the stairs and completely missed the first step. I went flying through the air and tumbled down all the steps. I broke my shoe, sprained my ankle, and just laid there laughing because it was so funny. I will never forget that!
What would be your most memorable moment at Miss America?
My most memorable moment at Miss America was being called into the Top 15. It was such an honor for me to be voted in by AMERICA. I was one of four women voted into the Top 15 by a public vote throughout America, and they chose me. At that point, I knew that enough for me. In the end, if I had been crowned Miss America or not, I knew being America’s choice was almost as good as being crowned Miss America. It was also a meaningful moment for me because South Dakota has not been in the Top 15 at Miss America since 1974. So for the last 35 years, we have sent fantastic representatives to the national contest but never had anyone make the cut. Now, America has spoken. It was a big step for not only me, but for my state as well. I am truly honored. Thank you, America!
What was going through your head when you were called into the top 15 at Miss America?
My first thought was “Did I hear that right?” After that I almost started crying because it was so exciting. Then, reality hit. I knew I had to change into a bikini and walk in front of millions of Americans on national television and I thought to myself, “It’s go-time, Alex!” Overall, being named into the Top 15 at Miss America was just the icing on the cake. Knowing I had already been named as a state representative and was competing at the Miss America pageant was an honor in itself.
When did you start swimming?
I began my competitive swimming career when I was six years old. My mom started a local swim club in our community and this eventually led to my college swimming career. Being a college athlete is not easy. However, swimming keeps me in incredible shape and feeling my best. I have missed being a part of the team this past year and I am so excited to begin training again soon. Who knows, London in 2012?
Tell us about your platform “Don’t Risk It: Keep Sports Healthy”.
I have been a competitive athlete for the past 15 years of my life. I started swimming when I was six years old and throughout the years have also participated in basketball, track & field, cross country, and softball. I love leading a healthy lifestyle and being a part of a team. I have been directly confronted with and pressured to use performance-enhancing drugs that are oftentimes used in athletics. After the incident, I started doing more research on these drugs and knew this was a perfect platform for me. Throughout my year as Miss South Dakota I have been able to spread my message to thousands of students across the state. As a college athlete, I know the dedication and time commitment required to be successful, and also encourages students to reach their goals through hard work & persistence.
Lastly, do you think you’ve made a difference since you’ve been crowned as Miss South Dakota?
I can only hope that I have made a difference in the lives of individuals I have met. Throughout my year as Miss South Dakota, I remind myself everyday that I am still Alex behind the crown and need to stay true to myself. I am always positive and make the effort to reach out to everyone I met at appearances. My year as Miss South Dakota has been an incredible journey, and I hope that once the crown comes off, I will have left an impression on this organization in a positive way.
I decided to compete in the Miss South Dakota Teen USA pageant for the first time my junior year of high school. I received a flier in the mail and really liked the idea. Being an athlete my entire life, I thought this might be a great way for me to step outside my comfort zone and do something that my friends and family really wouldn’t expect from me. I knew it would help with my interview skills and becoming more comfortable onstage. I had so much fun and met so many fantastic young women the first year I competed that I decided to come back again the next year. Luckily, I won the title of Miss South Dakota Teen USA 2006 and went on to compete for the title of Miss Teen USA.
Why did you decide to compete in the Miss SDSU pageant?
After I competed in the Miss Teen USA pageant, I decided to take a few years off from the pageant scene and focus on my college education. When I heard about another contest at the college I was attending, Miss SDSU, I thought it would be fun to compete again. I knew that the Miss America Organization offered scholarship money and that was something that really attracted me to the organization. I eventually ended up winning the title of Miss SDSU & went on to compete for the title of Miss South Dakota 2008.
What was going through your head when you realized you were the new Miss South Dakota?
To be honest, I was completely shocked when I won the title of Miss South Dakota 2008. It was such a whirlwind of an experience. I went from competing in a local pageant at my college to now having the opportunity to become the next Miss America. I was so excited and even a bit nervous at first. I knew the job of being Miss South Dakota was a very time-consuming commitment. I also knew I had to take a year off of school and my college swimming career. These were the sacrifices I had to personally make to be able to be the best titleholder I could be, but in the end I now know it is one of the best things that could have ever happened to me.
What was going through your head when you realized you were the new Miss South Dakota?
To be honest, I was completely shocked when I won the title of Miss South Dakota 2008. It was such a whirlwind of an experience. I went from competing in a local pageant at my college to now having the opportunity to become the next Miss America. I was so excited and even a bit nervous at first. I knew the job of being Miss South Dakota was a very time-consuming commitment. I also knew I had to take a year off of school and my college swimming career. These were the sacrifices I had to personally make to be able to be the best titleholder I could be, but in the end I now know it is one of the best things that could have ever happened to me.
What would be your most memorable moment at Miss Teen USA?
My most memorable moment at Miss Teen USA is probably one of my funniest moments. One day during rehearsals, all of the contestants were practicing the swimsuit portion of competition. The stage had a very long runway with steep stairs on three sides of the runway. At the end of the swimsuit walking pattern, you had to turn around and immediately step down the stairs. After I turned around I tried to step down the stairs and completely missed the first step. I went flying through the air and tumbled down all the steps. I broke my shoe, sprained my ankle, and just laid there laughing because it was so funny. I will never forget that!
What would be your most memorable moment at Miss America?
My most memorable moment at Miss America was being called into the Top 15. It was such an honor for me to be voted in by AMERICA. I was one of four women voted into the Top 15 by a public vote throughout America, and they chose me. At that point, I knew that enough for me. In the end, if I had been crowned Miss America or not, I knew being America’s choice was almost as good as being crowned Miss America. It was also a meaningful moment for me because South Dakota has not been in the Top 15 at Miss America since 1974. So for the last 35 years, we have sent fantastic representatives to the national contest but never had anyone make the cut. Now, America has spoken. It was a big step for not only me, but for my state as well. I am truly honored. Thank you, America!
What was going through your head when you were called into the top 15 at Miss America?
My first thought was “Did I hear that right?” After that I almost started crying because it was so exciting. Then, reality hit. I knew I had to change into a bikini and walk in front of millions of Americans on national television and I thought to myself, “It’s go-time, Alex!” Overall, being named into the Top 15 at Miss America was just the icing on the cake. Knowing I had already been named as a state representative and was competing at the Miss America pageant was an honor in itself.
When did you start swimming?
I began my competitive swimming career when I was six years old. My mom started a local swim club in our community and this eventually led to my college swimming career. Being a college athlete is not easy. However, swimming keeps me in incredible shape and feeling my best. I have missed being a part of the team this past year and I am so excited to begin training again soon. Who knows, London in 2012?
Tell us about your platform “Don’t Risk It: Keep Sports Healthy”.
I have been a competitive athlete for the past 15 years of my life. I started swimming when I was six years old and throughout the years have also participated in basketball, track & field, cross country, and softball. I love leading a healthy lifestyle and being a part of a team. I have been directly confronted with and pressured to use performance-enhancing drugs that are oftentimes used in athletics. After the incident, I started doing more research on these drugs and knew this was a perfect platform for me. Throughout my year as Miss South Dakota I have been able to spread my message to thousands of students across the state. As a college athlete, I know the dedication and time commitment required to be successful, and also encourages students to reach their goals through hard work & persistence.
Lastly, do you think you’ve made a difference since you’ve been crowned as Miss South Dakota?
I can only hope that I have made a difference in the lives of individuals I have met. Throughout my year as Miss South Dakota, I remind myself everyday that I am still Alex behind the crown and need to stay true to myself. I am always positive and make the effort to reach out to everyone I met at appearances. My year as Miss South Dakota has been an incredible journey, and I hope that once the crown comes off, I will have left an impression on this organization in a positive way.