Audra Mari
Miss North Dakota Teen USA 2011 (1st runner up @ Miss Teen USA 2011)
Why did you decide to compete in the Miss North Dakota Teen USA pageant?
The initial reason I was interested in competing in Miss North Dakota Teen USA 2011 was because I had always thought it would be something brand new and different that I could be a part of. The determining factor that made me compete was when I was approached at a pageant I was watching by Faith Schway. Faith is a very well known pageant coach in Minneapolis, Minnesota. She gave me her card and asked me if I would call her that night when I got to my hotel room. I called her and she explained to me who she was, how she believed in me, and how she truly wanted to see if I was interested in competing. I called my mom right away, made the decision that we were going to do it, and it was history from there.
After dealing with bullying throughout your sophomore year, what advice would you give to those dealing with bullies on a regular basis at school?
Bullying is an extremely touchy subject for me as everyone saw in the Bahamas as I answered my onstage question that pertained to bullying. The best advice that I can give to teenagers who are dealing with bullying is to tell someone. Tell your parents, tell a teacher, just tell someone. I kept most of it a secret at the beginning of the year because I thought that it was going to stop. It never did. The situation only got worse until the moment that I decided I was going to tell my mom.
What was going through your head when you were announced as the 1st runner up at Miss Teen USA?
Honestly, the entire moment is a blur. Obviously I remember being a little bummed because I had prepared so much for that week in my life, but I got First Runner up right?! So I remember my mom telling me to focus on how well I did, not that I was second.
What would be your most memorable moment as Miss North Dakota Teen USA?
The most memorable moment as Miss North Dakota Teen USA was definitely getting to meet Jessica Buch, Caley Rae Pavillard, and Savannah Schechter. Throughout my entire pageant experience the best thing was meeting new friends and getting to have connections to people all over the entire United States. We may live thousands of miles apart, but in the end I know that at Miss Teen USA I met some of the best friends that I have ever had in my entire life. Jessica and I are moving to NYC at the end of the month, so that just goes to show what meeting people through pageant can really do.
Will we see you compete in another pageant in the near future?
OF COURSE! I am focusing on modeling right now and taking a year off of college, but don't count me out! I will compete for Miss North Dakota USA sooner rather than later:)
Lastly, what have you been up to since your reign as Miss North Dakota Teen USA ended?
I have gotten to do so many things since I was crowned Miss North Dakota Teen USA. I have been back to the Bahamas as a celebrity guest, have modeled for the AMAZING Sherri Hill three times, been on the cover of a magazine, traveled to Los Angeles, modeled for Target, and much, much more! I promise you haven't seen the last of me!
Until next time, pageant friends… XOXO AUDRA MARI
The initial reason I was interested in competing in Miss North Dakota Teen USA 2011 was because I had always thought it would be something brand new and different that I could be a part of. The determining factor that made me compete was when I was approached at a pageant I was watching by Faith Schway. Faith is a very well known pageant coach in Minneapolis, Minnesota. She gave me her card and asked me if I would call her that night when I got to my hotel room. I called her and she explained to me who she was, how she believed in me, and how she truly wanted to see if I was interested in competing. I called my mom right away, made the decision that we were going to do it, and it was history from there.
After dealing with bullying throughout your sophomore year, what advice would you give to those dealing with bullies on a regular basis at school?
Bullying is an extremely touchy subject for me as everyone saw in the Bahamas as I answered my onstage question that pertained to bullying. The best advice that I can give to teenagers who are dealing with bullying is to tell someone. Tell your parents, tell a teacher, just tell someone. I kept most of it a secret at the beginning of the year because I thought that it was going to stop. It never did. The situation only got worse until the moment that I decided I was going to tell my mom.
What was going through your head when you were announced as the 1st runner up at Miss Teen USA?
Honestly, the entire moment is a blur. Obviously I remember being a little bummed because I had prepared so much for that week in my life, but I got First Runner up right?! So I remember my mom telling me to focus on how well I did, not that I was second.
What would be your most memorable moment as Miss North Dakota Teen USA?
The most memorable moment as Miss North Dakota Teen USA was definitely getting to meet Jessica Buch, Caley Rae Pavillard, and Savannah Schechter. Throughout my entire pageant experience the best thing was meeting new friends and getting to have connections to people all over the entire United States. We may live thousands of miles apart, but in the end I know that at Miss Teen USA I met some of the best friends that I have ever had in my entire life. Jessica and I are moving to NYC at the end of the month, so that just goes to show what meeting people through pageant can really do.
Will we see you compete in another pageant in the near future?
OF COURSE! I am focusing on modeling right now and taking a year off of college, but don't count me out! I will compete for Miss North Dakota USA sooner rather than later:)
Lastly, what have you been up to since your reign as Miss North Dakota Teen USA ended?
I have gotten to do so many things since I was crowned Miss North Dakota Teen USA. I have been back to the Bahamas as a celebrity guest, have modeled for the AMAZING Sherri Hill three times, been on the cover of a magazine, traveled to Los Angeles, modeled for Target, and much, much more! I promise you haven't seen the last of me!
Until next time, pageant friends… XOXO AUDRA MARI