Megan Clementi Interview
Miss Florida USA 2010
Why did you decide to compete in the Miss Florida USA pageant?
I was approached by Melissa Witek, Miss Florida USA 2005, and she convinced me that I had everything needed to be a great Miss Florida USA. I listened to her advice and gave it a shot….I guess she was right
What was going on in your head when you realized you were the new Miss Florida USA?
I think I said, “Oh My God” about a million times…lol WOW! I finally did it! After 5 years of competing at the state level (2005-2007 in MAO and 2008-2009 in USA), I completed my goal of earning a state title and having the honor of representing Florida at nationals. Then of course I realized my life was going to change dramatically. No more dancing for the Orlando Magic or going to college. I became Miss Florida USA 24/7….I treated my title like the job that it is.
What career do you plan on pursuing with your major in electrical engineering?
Oddly enough, I have found a passion for the entertainment world. I was recently hired by Fox Sports as an on air personality for the Orlando Magic basketball team. I am really excited about this new adventure as it combines entertainment with sports. I will also be filming season 2 of Muscle Car Workout. I am sure engineering will come up again in the future just not sure how.
You were an Orlando Magic cheerleader for 5 seasons, tell us how a day in the life of an Orlando Magic Dancer would go?
Well, I suppose it is different for each dancer. All of the dancers are full time employees, students, moms or all of the above so there is never a dull moment. For me, I had classes at the University of Central Florida at 7:30am until 3pm. Sometimes I would skip class to make appearances around Central Florida either as a Magic Dancer or as a local titleholder. After school, I would work on homework or projects and then I was at the RDV Sportsplex by 7pm for dance and/or dunk rehearsal. Rehearsals always wrapped at 10pm unless we were at the arena. In that case, we could be there until 11pm if the routines were not perfect. If it was a game day then I would leave class early to be at the Amway Arena by 4pm. In Orlando you have to leave extra time for traffic and parking. My professors knew that I was an Orlando Magic Dancer and they supported me 150%. They were very proud to have me in the classroom as well as on the court supporting our home team. By midnight I was asleep and I did it all again the next day….I loved every second of it!
What would be your most memorable moment at Miss USA?
Wow, there were so many! Check-in was pretty cool because it was the first time all 51 titleholders were in one place at the same time; even Kristen Dalton was there. Although we were extremely busy with interviews and photo shoots there was still enough down time to start bonding with the girls. Another moment was that same evening when we all left the hotel wearing our state sashes for the first time. Hearing ‘FLORIDA’ yelled from a stranger and having them cheer for you is a huge adrenaline rush!
What is in your books after your reign as Miss Florida USA is complete?
I will crown my successor on July 10th 2010. After that I have quite a bit of traveling. I will be in the Bahamas for Miss Teen USA, New York for a friend’s wedding, Las Vegas for Miss Universe and then Paris to model swimsuits for Desiree Nercessian. Once that craziness subsides I will start my career with the Orlando Magic and continue inspiring the next generation of engineers through my Future Female Scientist Award. It looks to be an amazing beginning to this new chapter of my life!
I was approached by Melissa Witek, Miss Florida USA 2005, and she convinced me that I had everything needed to be a great Miss Florida USA. I listened to her advice and gave it a shot….I guess she was right
What was going on in your head when you realized you were the new Miss Florida USA?
I think I said, “Oh My God” about a million times…lol WOW! I finally did it! After 5 years of competing at the state level (2005-2007 in MAO and 2008-2009 in USA), I completed my goal of earning a state title and having the honor of representing Florida at nationals. Then of course I realized my life was going to change dramatically. No more dancing for the Orlando Magic or going to college. I became Miss Florida USA 24/7….I treated my title like the job that it is.
What career do you plan on pursuing with your major in electrical engineering?
Oddly enough, I have found a passion for the entertainment world. I was recently hired by Fox Sports as an on air personality for the Orlando Magic basketball team. I am really excited about this new adventure as it combines entertainment with sports. I will also be filming season 2 of Muscle Car Workout. I am sure engineering will come up again in the future just not sure how.
You were an Orlando Magic cheerleader for 5 seasons, tell us how a day in the life of an Orlando Magic Dancer would go?
Well, I suppose it is different for each dancer. All of the dancers are full time employees, students, moms or all of the above so there is never a dull moment. For me, I had classes at the University of Central Florida at 7:30am until 3pm. Sometimes I would skip class to make appearances around Central Florida either as a Magic Dancer or as a local titleholder. After school, I would work on homework or projects and then I was at the RDV Sportsplex by 7pm for dance and/or dunk rehearsal. Rehearsals always wrapped at 10pm unless we were at the arena. In that case, we could be there until 11pm if the routines were not perfect. If it was a game day then I would leave class early to be at the Amway Arena by 4pm. In Orlando you have to leave extra time for traffic and parking. My professors knew that I was an Orlando Magic Dancer and they supported me 150%. They were very proud to have me in the classroom as well as on the court supporting our home team. By midnight I was asleep and I did it all again the next day….I loved every second of it!
What would be your most memorable moment at Miss USA?
Wow, there were so many! Check-in was pretty cool because it was the first time all 51 titleholders were in one place at the same time; even Kristen Dalton was there. Although we were extremely busy with interviews and photo shoots there was still enough down time to start bonding with the girls. Another moment was that same evening when we all left the hotel wearing our state sashes for the first time. Hearing ‘FLORIDA’ yelled from a stranger and having them cheer for you is a huge adrenaline rush!
What is in your books after your reign as Miss Florida USA is complete?
I will crown my successor on July 10th 2010. After that I have quite a bit of traveling. I will be in the Bahamas for Miss Teen USA, New York for a friend’s wedding, Las Vegas for Miss Universe and then Paris to model swimsuits for Desiree Nercessian. Once that craziness subsides I will start my career with the Orlando Magic and continue inspiring the next generation of engineers through my Future Female Scientist Award. It looks to be an amazing beginning to this new chapter of my life!