Caitlin Morrall Interview
Miss Wisconsin USA 2007 + top 15 @ Miss USA 2007
Why did you decide to compete in the Miss Wisconsin USA pageant?
I had competed in the Miss America system for about 5 years and although achieved success as a runner-up on the state level numerous times, was told by judges that I had more of a “Miss USA look” and might fare better if I tried the USA system. That being said I had always intended to compete for the title of Miss Wisconsin USA and after I placed first runner-up to Miss Wisconsin (America) in 2006 the timing proved perfectly…and it turned out those judges were right! I actually had the opportunity to run into one of the judges who urged me to do USA this summer and I couldn’t thank him enough for the suggestion!
You competed in Miss Wisconsin America 4 times, what motivated you to come back and compete year after year?
I am a strong believer in perseverance. I think it builds character and helps you learn from your mistakes while making you a stronger person. In my eyes, it was never acceptable to just quit when the results didn’t work out in my favor. I owe my many tries at Miss Wisconsin to honing my professional skills, especially in public speaking, and for assistance with my college education through scholarships. I highly admire the young women who go back year after year, trying to achieve their goals…it is not easy to be a runner-up because you know how close you were and it is easy to become discouraged after such a vigorous amount of physical and emotional training.
What was going through your head when your name was not announced as the 1st runner up at Miss Wisconsin USA?
I can’t remember the exact thoughts in the moment, but I do remember what I thought just before…I had been the first runner-up at Miss Wisconsin (America) a mere 2 months before the Miss Wisconsin USA competition so that moment was still in my head. I remember standing with my first runner-up and thinking “She has competed here before…and this is my first time, so she will probably win.” The worst part was that we had to stand on stage, just the two of us left, as they announced the winner of the Teen pageant. So it seemed like an eternity! I can tell you though; it was a truly proud moment to be named the winner. I had a sense of relief too, that I had made it over the hurdle and now was able to represent my state, which had been a goal for so long.
What would be your most memorable moment during your reign as Miss Wisconsin USA?
One of the state sponsors of the Miss Wisconsin USA pageant during my reign was the Wisconsin Trappers Association. They have been a sponsor for many years and provide Miss Wisconsin USA with a beautiful fur coat in exchange for a certain number of appearances with their organization. I had one such appearance about a month after the Miss USA pageant; it was at Outdoor Education Days…an event geared at school groups to learn about Wisconsin’s natural resources. Quite a few of the kids in attendance had watched me on television for the pageant and were lined up to have autographs and photos taken. After about an hour the crowd became huge and restless, I think at one point there were school- teachers getting angry at each other over whose class got in line first. It got so out of hand the officials of the event suggested that I leave. I felt like a true celebrity…I even took pictures of the crowd at its peak.
What would be your most memorable moment at Miss USA?
My most memorable moment, hands down, was being named as a top 15 semi-finalist. Miss Wisconsin USA hasn’t been in the top 15 since 1979 and I was really hoping to break that streak. I remember standing on stage and at about the 12th name called was figuring that I wouldn’t make the cut. Then they got to the 15th name and all I heard was “Wis….” And I knew it was me! It was the biggest rush I had ever felt in my life! As soon as I went to my mark I remember looking around the whole theater (The Kodak Theatre in Hollywood) and taking in the moment, the sights and sounds…I even picked out my parents in the audience to take in their reaction.
Who would be your role model and why?
I have so many role-models and people who have made a significant impact on my life. But I think most of all I look to my parents as an example to live my life by. I think they are incredibly intelligent people while still being very grounded. They expect much of themselves and never believe it is too late to accomplish goals. They are extremely supportive and encouraging. Most of all, I think they are very fair…both are in the education field and I have always observed them dealing with students and co-workers with an open mind and an open heart. I think those qualities are very important in the world we live in and I hope that some would characterize me as having those same traits.
What have you been up to since your reign as Miss Wisconsin USA ended?
Since my year as Miss Wisconsin USA ended I graduated from Alverno College with a degree in Professional Communication. I currently work as an intern for ESPN Radio in Milwaukee. At ESPN I write on-air reads for promotions and up-coming events, do voice work on-air such as Sportscenter, and report on Wisconsin sports teams. I am most looking forward to football season this fall because my long-term goal is to be an NFL commentator.
I had competed in the Miss America system for about 5 years and although achieved success as a runner-up on the state level numerous times, was told by judges that I had more of a “Miss USA look” and might fare better if I tried the USA system. That being said I had always intended to compete for the title of Miss Wisconsin USA and after I placed first runner-up to Miss Wisconsin (America) in 2006 the timing proved perfectly…and it turned out those judges were right! I actually had the opportunity to run into one of the judges who urged me to do USA this summer and I couldn’t thank him enough for the suggestion!
You competed in Miss Wisconsin America 4 times, what motivated you to come back and compete year after year?
I am a strong believer in perseverance. I think it builds character and helps you learn from your mistakes while making you a stronger person. In my eyes, it was never acceptable to just quit when the results didn’t work out in my favor. I owe my many tries at Miss Wisconsin to honing my professional skills, especially in public speaking, and for assistance with my college education through scholarships. I highly admire the young women who go back year after year, trying to achieve their goals…it is not easy to be a runner-up because you know how close you were and it is easy to become discouraged after such a vigorous amount of physical and emotional training.
What was going through your head when your name was not announced as the 1st runner up at Miss Wisconsin USA?
I can’t remember the exact thoughts in the moment, but I do remember what I thought just before…I had been the first runner-up at Miss Wisconsin (America) a mere 2 months before the Miss Wisconsin USA competition so that moment was still in my head. I remember standing with my first runner-up and thinking “She has competed here before…and this is my first time, so she will probably win.” The worst part was that we had to stand on stage, just the two of us left, as they announced the winner of the Teen pageant. So it seemed like an eternity! I can tell you though; it was a truly proud moment to be named the winner. I had a sense of relief too, that I had made it over the hurdle and now was able to represent my state, which had been a goal for so long.
What would be your most memorable moment during your reign as Miss Wisconsin USA?
One of the state sponsors of the Miss Wisconsin USA pageant during my reign was the Wisconsin Trappers Association. They have been a sponsor for many years and provide Miss Wisconsin USA with a beautiful fur coat in exchange for a certain number of appearances with their organization. I had one such appearance about a month after the Miss USA pageant; it was at Outdoor Education Days…an event geared at school groups to learn about Wisconsin’s natural resources. Quite a few of the kids in attendance had watched me on television for the pageant and were lined up to have autographs and photos taken. After about an hour the crowd became huge and restless, I think at one point there were school- teachers getting angry at each other over whose class got in line first. It got so out of hand the officials of the event suggested that I leave. I felt like a true celebrity…I even took pictures of the crowd at its peak.
What would be your most memorable moment at Miss USA?
My most memorable moment, hands down, was being named as a top 15 semi-finalist. Miss Wisconsin USA hasn’t been in the top 15 since 1979 and I was really hoping to break that streak. I remember standing on stage and at about the 12th name called was figuring that I wouldn’t make the cut. Then they got to the 15th name and all I heard was “Wis….” And I knew it was me! It was the biggest rush I had ever felt in my life! As soon as I went to my mark I remember looking around the whole theater (The Kodak Theatre in Hollywood) and taking in the moment, the sights and sounds…I even picked out my parents in the audience to take in their reaction.
Who would be your role model and why?
I have so many role-models and people who have made a significant impact on my life. But I think most of all I look to my parents as an example to live my life by. I think they are incredibly intelligent people while still being very grounded. They expect much of themselves and never believe it is too late to accomplish goals. They are extremely supportive and encouraging. Most of all, I think they are very fair…both are in the education field and I have always observed them dealing with students and co-workers with an open mind and an open heart. I think those qualities are very important in the world we live in and I hope that some would characterize me as having those same traits.
What have you been up to since your reign as Miss Wisconsin USA ended?
Since my year as Miss Wisconsin USA ended I graduated from Alverno College with a degree in Professional Communication. I currently work as an intern for ESPN Radio in Milwaukee. At ESPN I write on-air reads for promotions and up-coming events, do voice work on-air such as Sportscenter, and report on Wisconsin sports teams. I am most looking forward to football season this fall because my long-term goal is to be an NFL commentator.