Candace Kuykendall Interview
Miss New York Teen USA 2006
Why did you decide to compete in the Miss New York Teen USA pageant?
When I was fifteen years old I started modeling with former Miss USA, Mary Therese Friel’s agency. As she got to know me and my love for community service she recommended that I compete for Miss New York Teen USA. I had never done a pageant before but the great opportunities to be a role model quickly made the pageant an enormous passion of mine.
You competed once before winning the title of Miss New York Teen USA, what motivated you to come back and compete again?
The first time I competed for Miss New York Teen USA I was so nervous and I did not know exactly what to expect. I think the first time was more a learning experience for me not only about the pageant but about myself. It was still a dream of mine to become Miss New York Teen USA and I wanted to do the pageant again making sure to just be myself. Although I was still nervous I was more prepared and I had a great time at the pageant.
What was going through your head when you realized you were the new Miss New York Teen USA?
When it came down to me and two other girls I remember looking at them and thinking that they were beautiful, and although I wanted this opportunity so badly I would probably have to try again. When my name was called I was shocked for a moment because I did not think it would be me but the realization of achieving my dream came soon after. I started crying and told my family I loved them and thanked the judges. Right after I thought to myself that I now had a great responsibility to my state and to go to Miss Teen USA. I was somewhat scared but mostly excited and thankful.
What would be your most memorable moment at Miss Teen USA?
Choosing just one moment at Miss Teen USA is difficult because so many beautiful memories are a part of me now. I loved being on stage and doing our dance that we did for the opening number. Also, one thing that meant a lot to me was the appearances we did, especially for Angel View Crippled Children's Foundation where we took children and young adults to a circus show called AGA-BOOM. In the end, I will never forget the people I met and the friendships I made. I tell everyone that Katie Cooper (Miss North Dakota Teen USA) was a sweetheart who I kept in touch with after the pageant. I was also close with Georgina Vaughan (Miss Nevada Teen USA), Degen Kasper (Miss Alaska Teen USA), and Hannah Thomas (Miss Hawaii Teen USA) just to name a few. We do not get to talk as often as I would like but these ladies definitely helped make my experience at nationals as great as it was.
What would be your most memorable moment as Miss New York Teen USA?
One of my most memorable moments would be when I spoke at Hillside. The teenagers I spoke to have gone through a lot and Hillside provides everything from child welfare and special education services to adoption for at-risk children. I talked about negative peer pressure and how to avoid it and how to get out of situations of peer pressure. What made it even better is that I was given money from doing another appearance and I decided to donate it to Hillside and the government said they would double the amount to donate. When I told them this, there were tears of happiness from the teenagers and it was a very special moment.
What emotions were you going through when you had to give away your title?
You know all along you will eventually meet the end of your reign, but it sneaks up quick. I remember hoping that my successor would love this pageant for the right reasons as I did. I also kept in mind that I would always be a part of the Miss Universe Organization family and that I had an incredible year! So overall I was sad but totally blessed and thankful for the experience.
Will you compete in another pageant in the future?
It is my number one passion to someday become Miss New York USA and then Miss USA and compete at Miss Universe! I only get one shot at fulfilling my dream so I am waiting until I am ready. I would rather try to do something I believe I was born to do than to not try at all just because it is difficult.
Lastly, what have you been up to since your reign as Miss New York Teen USA ended?
Since my reign has ended I am still helping with different charities and doing appearances for organizations like the Humane Society. On top of all of my regular activities I am studying Finance and Accounting while continuing my career of modeling.
When I was fifteen years old I started modeling with former Miss USA, Mary Therese Friel’s agency. As she got to know me and my love for community service she recommended that I compete for Miss New York Teen USA. I had never done a pageant before but the great opportunities to be a role model quickly made the pageant an enormous passion of mine.
You competed once before winning the title of Miss New York Teen USA, what motivated you to come back and compete again?
The first time I competed for Miss New York Teen USA I was so nervous and I did not know exactly what to expect. I think the first time was more a learning experience for me not only about the pageant but about myself. It was still a dream of mine to become Miss New York Teen USA and I wanted to do the pageant again making sure to just be myself. Although I was still nervous I was more prepared and I had a great time at the pageant.
What was going through your head when you realized you were the new Miss New York Teen USA?
When it came down to me and two other girls I remember looking at them and thinking that they were beautiful, and although I wanted this opportunity so badly I would probably have to try again. When my name was called I was shocked for a moment because I did not think it would be me but the realization of achieving my dream came soon after. I started crying and told my family I loved them and thanked the judges. Right after I thought to myself that I now had a great responsibility to my state and to go to Miss Teen USA. I was somewhat scared but mostly excited and thankful.
What would be your most memorable moment at Miss Teen USA?
Choosing just one moment at Miss Teen USA is difficult because so many beautiful memories are a part of me now. I loved being on stage and doing our dance that we did for the opening number. Also, one thing that meant a lot to me was the appearances we did, especially for Angel View Crippled Children's Foundation where we took children and young adults to a circus show called AGA-BOOM. In the end, I will never forget the people I met and the friendships I made. I tell everyone that Katie Cooper (Miss North Dakota Teen USA) was a sweetheart who I kept in touch with after the pageant. I was also close with Georgina Vaughan (Miss Nevada Teen USA), Degen Kasper (Miss Alaska Teen USA), and Hannah Thomas (Miss Hawaii Teen USA) just to name a few. We do not get to talk as often as I would like but these ladies definitely helped make my experience at nationals as great as it was.
What would be your most memorable moment as Miss New York Teen USA?
One of my most memorable moments would be when I spoke at Hillside. The teenagers I spoke to have gone through a lot and Hillside provides everything from child welfare and special education services to adoption for at-risk children. I talked about negative peer pressure and how to avoid it and how to get out of situations of peer pressure. What made it even better is that I was given money from doing another appearance and I decided to donate it to Hillside and the government said they would double the amount to donate. When I told them this, there were tears of happiness from the teenagers and it was a very special moment.
What emotions were you going through when you had to give away your title?
You know all along you will eventually meet the end of your reign, but it sneaks up quick. I remember hoping that my successor would love this pageant for the right reasons as I did. I also kept in mind that I would always be a part of the Miss Universe Organization family and that I had an incredible year! So overall I was sad but totally blessed and thankful for the experience.
Will you compete in another pageant in the future?
It is my number one passion to someday become Miss New York USA and then Miss USA and compete at Miss Universe! I only get one shot at fulfilling my dream so I am waiting until I am ready. I would rather try to do something I believe I was born to do than to not try at all just because it is difficult.
Lastly, what have you been up to since your reign as Miss New York Teen USA ended?
Since my reign has ended I am still helping with different charities and doing appearances for organizations like the Humane Society. On top of all of my regular activities I am studying Finance and Accounting while continuing my career of modeling.