Raegan Raulston Interview
Miss Mississippi Teen USA 2006
Why did you decide to compete in the Miss Mississippi Teen USA pageant?
I started doing pageants when I was in the seventh grade, but they were all small, local pageants. I had such a great time doing them so naturally I wanted to keep doing them and as I got older I got more serious about them. I learned about the Miss Teen USA pageant when I was in the 9th grade and when I watched it on TV that year I decided that was my next goal. So I worked hard and entered Miss Mississippi Teen USA. It was a much bigger pageant then I was used to doing so I just went in with an attitude of doing it just for fun and for the experience. I’m so glad that I had that attitude about it because I think it helped with my nerves and helped me have the best time possible.
Did competing in numerous small pageants help you with Miss Mississippi Teen USA?
Yes. It helped tremendously. I think that being on stage anytime helps you to get more comfortable up there so anytime I did a pageant or a dance recital I think it was helping me. I also think that it helped with my confidence and stage presence which is a huge part of any pageant that you compete in.
What was going through your head when you realized you were the new Miss Mississippi Teen USA?
I was in complete and total shock. I kept thinking to myself, “Maybe I heard that wrong.” And “did they really just say my name?” I was ecstatic. I did not know whether to laugh or cry. It was the best feeling. It took a few days to sink in completely though.
When did you start dancing?
I started dancing when I was 3 years old. I took tap, jazz, and ballet until I was in high school and then I did show choir until I graduated. I love to dance and since I danced all my life it really helped me at Miss Mississippi Teen USA and Miss Teen USA. At each pageant we were required to learn several dances in a short amount of time so I think it helped me learn a lot faster than I would have if I hadn’t had a background in dance.
What would be your most memorable moment at Miss Teen USA pageant?
It is so hard to say just one, because the whole time we were in Palm Springs we were doing exciting things all day long. But I think my favorite memory is the night of Miss Teen USA when I first walked out on stage and took my spot. We have to get in our spots a few minutes before taping starts and when we all walked out and our families and friends were yelling and cheering for us. I could see all my family and they were holding up signs and it was just overwhelming. My whole family flew all the way from Mississippi to Palm Springs just to see me and that feeling was the best ever.
What would be your most memorable moment as Miss Mississippi Teen USA?
This is a tough question as well. My year was packed with incredible memories. The most memorable would have to be either the first night in Palm Springs or at the airport before I left to go to Palm Springs. The first night in Palm Springs we had a luau with all the contestants and everyone who was involved in the pageant. We had incredible food, sang karaoke, and danced the whole night. It was so much fun. Before I left for the pageant at the Jackson airport my family and friends surprised me and made signs and I got to see everyone right before I got on the plane. It just felt good to know how much they support me and were willing to go out of their way to let me know.
Will you compete in another pageant in the future?
Yes. It is definitely on my agenda for the future. I plan on competing in Miss Mississippi USA either this year or the next. I would love to have the chance to compete for the title of Miss USA.
Lastly, what have you been up to since your reign as Miss Mississippi Teen USA ended?
Since I ended my reign as Miss Mississippi Teen USA, I graduated from high school in 2007. After graduation, I moved to Los Angeles and attended FIDM for a short time. Then I moved back home to Mississippi to finish school. I’m currently a junior in college and I recently opened a boutique that I am having a blast running.
I started doing pageants when I was in the seventh grade, but they were all small, local pageants. I had such a great time doing them so naturally I wanted to keep doing them and as I got older I got more serious about them. I learned about the Miss Teen USA pageant when I was in the 9th grade and when I watched it on TV that year I decided that was my next goal. So I worked hard and entered Miss Mississippi Teen USA. It was a much bigger pageant then I was used to doing so I just went in with an attitude of doing it just for fun and for the experience. I’m so glad that I had that attitude about it because I think it helped with my nerves and helped me have the best time possible.
Did competing in numerous small pageants help you with Miss Mississippi Teen USA?
Yes. It helped tremendously. I think that being on stage anytime helps you to get more comfortable up there so anytime I did a pageant or a dance recital I think it was helping me. I also think that it helped with my confidence and stage presence which is a huge part of any pageant that you compete in.
What was going through your head when you realized you were the new Miss Mississippi Teen USA?
I was in complete and total shock. I kept thinking to myself, “Maybe I heard that wrong.” And “did they really just say my name?” I was ecstatic. I did not know whether to laugh or cry. It was the best feeling. It took a few days to sink in completely though.
When did you start dancing?
I started dancing when I was 3 years old. I took tap, jazz, and ballet until I was in high school and then I did show choir until I graduated. I love to dance and since I danced all my life it really helped me at Miss Mississippi Teen USA and Miss Teen USA. At each pageant we were required to learn several dances in a short amount of time so I think it helped me learn a lot faster than I would have if I hadn’t had a background in dance.
What would be your most memorable moment at Miss Teen USA pageant?
It is so hard to say just one, because the whole time we were in Palm Springs we were doing exciting things all day long. But I think my favorite memory is the night of Miss Teen USA when I first walked out on stage and took my spot. We have to get in our spots a few minutes before taping starts and when we all walked out and our families and friends were yelling and cheering for us. I could see all my family and they were holding up signs and it was just overwhelming. My whole family flew all the way from Mississippi to Palm Springs just to see me and that feeling was the best ever.
What would be your most memorable moment as Miss Mississippi Teen USA?
This is a tough question as well. My year was packed with incredible memories. The most memorable would have to be either the first night in Palm Springs or at the airport before I left to go to Palm Springs. The first night in Palm Springs we had a luau with all the contestants and everyone who was involved in the pageant. We had incredible food, sang karaoke, and danced the whole night. It was so much fun. Before I left for the pageant at the Jackson airport my family and friends surprised me and made signs and I got to see everyone right before I got on the plane. It just felt good to know how much they support me and were willing to go out of their way to let me know.
Will you compete in another pageant in the future?
Yes. It is definitely on my agenda for the future. I plan on competing in Miss Mississippi USA either this year or the next. I would love to have the chance to compete for the title of Miss USA.
Lastly, what have you been up to since your reign as Miss Mississippi Teen USA ended?
Since I ended my reign as Miss Mississippi Teen USA, I graduated from high school in 2007. After graduation, I moved to Los Angeles and attended FIDM for a short time. Then I moved back home to Mississippi to finish school. I’m currently a junior in college and I recently opened a boutique that I am having a blast running.