Meredith McCannel
Miss Montana USA 2002 (Miss Congeniality @ Miss USA 2002)
Why did you decide to compete in the Miss Montana USA pageant?
Shortly before my first year in college, I saw a commercial on a local television station featuring the current titleholders saying, "You could be the next!" I thought to myself, "Yes. Yes, I could." However, I was not. I was the NEXT next. After not placing my first year in a VERY small pageant, I discovered this place called the "gym" and utilized the assistance of those around me. A total whim became a serious goal and I couldn't imagine my life now had I never participated in pageantry.
What was going through your head when you were announced as Miss Congeniality at Miss USA?
By the time the announced it, it wasn't a surprise… because I read it on the teleprompter about 5 seconds before Ali Landry announced it. Initially, our pageant was planned for a Top 10 but, due to a three-way tie for 10th, it was expanded to a Top 12. The extra time required for two additional girls to compete cut into the Photogenic/Congeniality announcement so Shannon Ford and I were only briefly recognized back stage. I do wish I had had that moment of walking center stage and accepting the trophy from Scott Grossman but it was so great to immediately receive hugs from some of my girls (even if they were just shooting for additional camera time. Kidding. Mostly). I keep in real touch with half the girls I competed with, even 10 years later and am still so honored to have received this award. And, unlike many pageant girls, I TOTALLY have Miss Congeniality on my professional resume :)
For those finding it difficult to make friends, what advice would you give them?
As a Navy BRAT, I moved frequently as a child, most notably moving from the metropolitan DC area to Montana my junior year in high school. The choice was: be outgoing or have no friends. For those who find it difficult, I encourage them to try something they never have before. Only those who take risks will reap rewards. So you walked up to a group of people and introduced yourself and they were rude. Well, who looks like a jerk? Not you! Additionally, it's important to care as much about others as you would like them to care about you. Be an active listener and, if all else fails, have a ton of jokes up your sleeve!
What would be your most memorable moment as Miss Montana USA?
Outside of the obvious crowning moment and winning Miss Congeniality, my most memorable moment was the speaking with then Speaker of the House Dick Armey during a campaign fundraiser. It was my first time speaking in front of 500+ people and, while terrifying, it was also exhilarating! This also led to future (PAID!) speaking engagements. Additionally, I will never forget spilling not one, not two, but three L.I.T.s in the lazy river at Schlitterbahn in South Padre Island during an MUO staff party over Miss Teen USA week. Or, maybe I SHOULD forget about that…
How would a typical day on the job go for you as a sideline reporter for "DeepStacks Poker"?
I have to tell you: the poker life is ROUGH! A typical tournament day involves getting breakfast delivered to my room around 10:30, hair and make up coming up around 11:00 and starting my first pre-play interview at 11:45. At noon, game play begins and I do ABSOLUTELY nothing until we go on break at 2:00 (unless one of the featured professional players busts) then it's 15 hard core minutes of interviews until I take another two hours to sit around. Final Table Day is a bit more exciting. And I mean "a bit"… pretty much, poker takes a REALLY long time and for every exciting hand you see on television, there are dozens and dozens of, um, less than exciting hands. Good thing I love poker!
Lastly, what have you been up to since your reign as Miss Montana USA ended?
Let's see, over the last ten years, I finished my bachelors degree in Political Science and my masters in Public Administration, I moved to Las Vegas and worked as a spokesmodel for five years and just recently began a new career (yea!) as a Senior Business Development Associate (what does that even mean?!) for an amazing company. I seriously love my job and feel so blessed with everything that has occurred in the last decade.
Shortly before my first year in college, I saw a commercial on a local television station featuring the current titleholders saying, "You could be the next!" I thought to myself, "Yes. Yes, I could." However, I was not. I was the NEXT next. After not placing my first year in a VERY small pageant, I discovered this place called the "gym" and utilized the assistance of those around me. A total whim became a serious goal and I couldn't imagine my life now had I never participated in pageantry.
What was going through your head when you were announced as Miss Congeniality at Miss USA?
By the time the announced it, it wasn't a surprise… because I read it on the teleprompter about 5 seconds before Ali Landry announced it. Initially, our pageant was planned for a Top 10 but, due to a three-way tie for 10th, it was expanded to a Top 12. The extra time required for two additional girls to compete cut into the Photogenic/Congeniality announcement so Shannon Ford and I were only briefly recognized back stage. I do wish I had had that moment of walking center stage and accepting the trophy from Scott Grossman but it was so great to immediately receive hugs from some of my girls (even if they were just shooting for additional camera time. Kidding. Mostly). I keep in real touch with half the girls I competed with, even 10 years later and am still so honored to have received this award. And, unlike many pageant girls, I TOTALLY have Miss Congeniality on my professional resume :)
For those finding it difficult to make friends, what advice would you give them?
As a Navy BRAT, I moved frequently as a child, most notably moving from the metropolitan DC area to Montana my junior year in high school. The choice was: be outgoing or have no friends. For those who find it difficult, I encourage them to try something they never have before. Only those who take risks will reap rewards. So you walked up to a group of people and introduced yourself and they were rude. Well, who looks like a jerk? Not you! Additionally, it's important to care as much about others as you would like them to care about you. Be an active listener and, if all else fails, have a ton of jokes up your sleeve!
What would be your most memorable moment as Miss Montana USA?
Outside of the obvious crowning moment and winning Miss Congeniality, my most memorable moment was the speaking with then Speaker of the House Dick Armey during a campaign fundraiser. It was my first time speaking in front of 500+ people and, while terrifying, it was also exhilarating! This also led to future (PAID!) speaking engagements. Additionally, I will never forget spilling not one, not two, but three L.I.T.s in the lazy river at Schlitterbahn in South Padre Island during an MUO staff party over Miss Teen USA week. Or, maybe I SHOULD forget about that…
How would a typical day on the job go for you as a sideline reporter for "DeepStacks Poker"?
I have to tell you: the poker life is ROUGH! A typical tournament day involves getting breakfast delivered to my room around 10:30, hair and make up coming up around 11:00 and starting my first pre-play interview at 11:45. At noon, game play begins and I do ABSOLUTELY nothing until we go on break at 2:00 (unless one of the featured professional players busts) then it's 15 hard core minutes of interviews until I take another two hours to sit around. Final Table Day is a bit more exciting. And I mean "a bit"… pretty much, poker takes a REALLY long time and for every exciting hand you see on television, there are dozens and dozens of, um, less than exciting hands. Good thing I love poker!
Lastly, what have you been up to since your reign as Miss Montana USA ended?
Let's see, over the last ten years, I finished my bachelors degree in Political Science and my masters in Public Administration, I moved to Las Vegas and worked as a spokesmodel for five years and just recently began a new career (yea!) as a Senior Business Development Associate (what does that even mean?!) for an amazing company. I seriously love my job and feel so blessed with everything that has occurred in the last decade.