Amanda Gilman Interview
Miss Vermont USA 2006
Why did you decide to compete in the Miss Vermont USA pageant?
I originally started competing in pageants at the age of 17 after my cousin Mindy (Miss Vermont Teen USA 2002) won her title; I was very inspired by her success. I continued competing within the USA system in both teen and miss and I was crowned Miss Vermont USA 2006 in September of 2005. Pageants have always proven to be fun and I think there is a lot of personal growth that comes not only from the competition itself but also the preparation and that is what kept me coming back for more.
You competed once before winning the Miss Vermont USA title, what motivated you to come back and compete again?
I really wanted to represent Vermont at the Miss USA Pageant and as the 2nd runner up the previous year I knew I had performed well and had a real chance to win. So I collected feedback and criticism from anyone offering it and doubled my efforts. I actually got a position as an executive assistant for one of the most renowned fitness trainers in the pageant industry (Rocco Castellano) and spent the summer working for him and letting him beat me up in the gym. I also spent hours studying the walks of runway models and corresponding with a pageant coach for my interview. For an entire summer I lived and breathed this competition and when I showed up in the fall I knew in my heart there was nothing I could have done better and I was either going home with the crown or I was done for good – and I won.
You have given a little of your time to non-profit organization, what charities have you given your time to?
I have actually given A LOT of my time to charitable endeavors. I had logged over 1,000 hours by the time I hit the Miss USA stage. Even though it wasn’t required I developed a personal “platform” and toured schools talking about bullying. I partnered with the Governor and Lieutenant Governor of VT to evaluate the effectiveness of Vermont legislation in regards to bullying and organized joint community forums. I also worked with the United Way extensively. Today I run a non-profit organization and I encourage you to visit my websitewww.bullyingresource.org to find out more.
What would a typical day as Miss VT USA during your reign be like?
Well I did over 100 appearances (more than any other VT titleholder in history) so my day would consist of a school presentation or meeting prepping for one, a 2-3 hour work-out (broken up into two segments in the morning and evening), class (I was a college student actively enrolled) and maybe an hour spent online researching or posting on my blog or website. I was very busy every day.
What would be your most memorable moment at Miss USA?
Hmmm … Miss USA was amazing. I loved the media tour we did in NY City (I have a broadcasting degree so my interests lie there). However, I would say my everyday experiences with my roommate Miss Florida (Cristin Duren) were the most memorable … she brought more clothing than I had ever thought it humanely possible to even own but she was the sweetest and most generous person – I am so very grateful to have shared the experience with her.
What would be your most memorable moment during your reign as Miss Vermont USA?
I think it would have to be a tie between the several awards I won for my charitable work and being featured as a model in my own pictorial in Vermont Vows Magazine. I loved being Miss Vermont USA and cried like a baby when I had to give it up!
Will you compete in another pageant in the future?
I’ve thought about it … never say never right?
Lastly, what have you been up to since your reign as Miss VT USA ended?
I finished my broadcasting degree and will graduate this May with a business degree as well. I was just hired as a publicist for an amazing author named Phil Harkins. I still live in Vermont and am happily living out my life as an everyday girl with my boyfriend of seven years. I still talk to my “extended pageant family” as often as I can and am even planning on flying to Florida to judge a pageant for my former USA Director this fall.
I originally started competing in pageants at the age of 17 after my cousin Mindy (Miss Vermont Teen USA 2002) won her title; I was very inspired by her success. I continued competing within the USA system in both teen and miss and I was crowned Miss Vermont USA 2006 in September of 2005. Pageants have always proven to be fun and I think there is a lot of personal growth that comes not only from the competition itself but also the preparation and that is what kept me coming back for more.
You competed once before winning the Miss Vermont USA title, what motivated you to come back and compete again?
I really wanted to represent Vermont at the Miss USA Pageant and as the 2nd runner up the previous year I knew I had performed well and had a real chance to win. So I collected feedback and criticism from anyone offering it and doubled my efforts. I actually got a position as an executive assistant for one of the most renowned fitness trainers in the pageant industry (Rocco Castellano) and spent the summer working for him and letting him beat me up in the gym. I also spent hours studying the walks of runway models and corresponding with a pageant coach for my interview. For an entire summer I lived and breathed this competition and when I showed up in the fall I knew in my heart there was nothing I could have done better and I was either going home with the crown or I was done for good – and I won.
You have given a little of your time to non-profit organization, what charities have you given your time to?
I have actually given A LOT of my time to charitable endeavors. I had logged over 1,000 hours by the time I hit the Miss USA stage. Even though it wasn’t required I developed a personal “platform” and toured schools talking about bullying. I partnered with the Governor and Lieutenant Governor of VT to evaluate the effectiveness of Vermont legislation in regards to bullying and organized joint community forums. I also worked with the United Way extensively. Today I run a non-profit organization and I encourage you to visit my websitewww.bullyingresource.org to find out more.
What would a typical day as Miss VT USA during your reign be like?
Well I did over 100 appearances (more than any other VT titleholder in history) so my day would consist of a school presentation or meeting prepping for one, a 2-3 hour work-out (broken up into two segments in the morning and evening), class (I was a college student actively enrolled) and maybe an hour spent online researching or posting on my blog or website. I was very busy every day.
What would be your most memorable moment at Miss USA?
Hmmm … Miss USA was amazing. I loved the media tour we did in NY City (I have a broadcasting degree so my interests lie there). However, I would say my everyday experiences with my roommate Miss Florida (Cristin Duren) were the most memorable … she brought more clothing than I had ever thought it humanely possible to even own but she was the sweetest and most generous person – I am so very grateful to have shared the experience with her.
What would be your most memorable moment during your reign as Miss Vermont USA?
I think it would have to be a tie between the several awards I won for my charitable work and being featured as a model in my own pictorial in Vermont Vows Magazine. I loved being Miss Vermont USA and cried like a baby when I had to give it up!
Will you compete in another pageant in the future?
I’ve thought about it … never say never right?
Lastly, what have you been up to since your reign as Miss VT USA ended?
I finished my broadcasting degree and will graduate this May with a business degree as well. I was just hired as a publicist for an amazing author named Phil Harkins. I still live in Vermont and am happily living out my life as an everyday girl with my boyfriend of seven years. I still talk to my “extended pageant family” as often as I can and am even planning on flying to Florida to judge a pageant for my former USA Director this fall.