Danae DeMasi Interview
Miss West Virginia 2001 & top 10 + Preliminary Gown Winner @ Miss America 2002
Why did you decide to compete in the Miss Appalachia pageant?
I watched my first Miss America pageant in 1988. From that moment on I had wanted to compete. In 2001, the Miss Appalachia pageant was directed by a former competitor who had competed the previous few years. When she decided to become a local director, I jumped at the chance to compete in her pageant. I knew she would be a great mentor and have fresh ideas because she was close to my age and had just recently stopped competing.
Tell us about your platform, "Literacy".
I chose literacy because I was an elementary education major and began learning how children function with respect to different levels of understanding and reading comprehension. At that time, it was estimated that around 20% of West Virginians had significant difficulty with reading. It was amazing to me how many things I took for granted as a literate adult, reading a book, reading a menu at a restaurant, reading and understanding street signs, directions, instructions, etc. Reading is essential for us to function in society. I spoke to many school children that year about my platform because I felt that the key to literacy was getting children to become active and engaged readers at an early age so that they may develop an enjoyment for reading that will carry with them into adulthood.
What would be your most memorable moment at Miss America?
I have several. I became best friends with Miss Wyoming, and even traveled to visit her in Casper the summer after Miss America. We ended up talking because we were always at the end of the line together when we had to line up alphabetically according to our states. The day the pageant served a western themed lunch, we talked the hostesses into letting us wear their cowboy hats so we could take pictures with the cacti decorations. We had so much fun those weeks.
I also enjoyed meeting Tony Danza and having him refer to me as “paisan”, which is short for “paisano”, and is the equivalent to “buddy” or “friend” in Italian.
In all seriousness, I think the most memorable moment had to be the events on September 11, 2001. We were in Atlantic City rehearsing for the show at that time and the pageant did an amazing job of providing group counseling services, religious and non-religious, for us. I remember sitting in the group led by the Catholic priest, and Angela Perez Baraquio, Miss America 2001, came over to our group to tell us that she felt that we needed a Miss America in this difficult time, because our children needed a good role model. Because of the tragic events of this day, our Miss America class became extremely close and recently celebrated our ten year anniversary this year in Las Vegas. In 2002, our class published, Under the Crown: 51 Stories of Courage, Determination, and the American Spirit.
Tell us about the gown you wore during Miss America.
My gown was powder blue, strapless, and made of chiffon. The sweetheart neckline was outlined with rhinestones, and it had a light layer of material speckled with rhinestones on one side of my leg to give it the “illusion” look. I had a wonderful gown sponsor at that time, Lynn Rash, in Virginia. Her store actually had a runway with lights in order for you to try on the gowns and see how you will look with the stage lighting. I actually picked out a beautiful beaded gold gown, but under the lights it didn’t look great with my skin tone. I then tried on the powder blue gown, and when I walked out of the dressing room, my Executive Director started crying. We knew that was the gown for me.
What was going through your head when you were called into the top 20 and then into the top 10 at Miss America.
Well, I was the LAST one called into the Top 20, so I remember thinking that I wasn’t going to make the cut. When it got down to the final spot, I actually remember thinking, “Please let this be me!” I was still so grateful to be there competing on the Miss America stage that I knew I wouldn’t have been devastatingly disappointed if I didn’t make it. For the Top 10, I didn’t have time to think about anything because I was the first one called. It’s just pure excitement and a mix of emotions. You are humbled, grateful, scared, nervous, and thrilled all at the same time.
What emotions were you going through when you crowned your successor?
When my year of service ended, I was ready to pass on the title of Miss West Virginia.
While I thoroughly enjoyed every minute of my year, I felt it was time to pass the experience on to another young woman so that she may enjoy the journey as well. After traveling to all 55 counties in WV and parts of PA, VA, and MD, I was ready to return to school and begin the next chapter of my life with the knowledge and experience I learned during my year. I knew that even though I was no longer the current Miss West Virginia, I will always be Miss West Virginia 2001. Most importantly, I will always have the memories of the people I met, the appearances I made, and West Virginians who provided me with so much love and support.
What have you been up to since your reign as Miss West Virginia ended?
After Miss West Virginia, I went back to West Virginia University and received my bachelors and masters degrees in education, and thanks to Miss America, graduated debt-free. I taught eighth grade middle school math for one year. In a change of career paths, I went back to WVU and entered law school. I worked as the Assistant General Counsel for our West Virginia State Auditor, Glen B. Gainer, III, and now work as a Senior Law Clerk for Forfeiture Support Associates, LLC, assigned to the United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of West Virginia.
To give back to Miss America, I asked to volunteer and was welcomed by the Miss Northern West Virginia Scholarship Organization, a local preliminary to Miss West Virginia. This year, I was lucky enough to serve as President. I was also honored with my first time judging experience at the Miss Iowa Scholarship Pageant this past June.
I watched my first Miss America pageant in 1988. From that moment on I had wanted to compete. In 2001, the Miss Appalachia pageant was directed by a former competitor who had competed the previous few years. When she decided to become a local director, I jumped at the chance to compete in her pageant. I knew she would be a great mentor and have fresh ideas because she was close to my age and had just recently stopped competing.
Tell us about your platform, "Literacy".
I chose literacy because I was an elementary education major and began learning how children function with respect to different levels of understanding and reading comprehension. At that time, it was estimated that around 20% of West Virginians had significant difficulty with reading. It was amazing to me how many things I took for granted as a literate adult, reading a book, reading a menu at a restaurant, reading and understanding street signs, directions, instructions, etc. Reading is essential for us to function in society. I spoke to many school children that year about my platform because I felt that the key to literacy was getting children to become active and engaged readers at an early age so that they may develop an enjoyment for reading that will carry with them into adulthood.
What would be your most memorable moment at Miss America?
I have several. I became best friends with Miss Wyoming, and even traveled to visit her in Casper the summer after Miss America. We ended up talking because we were always at the end of the line together when we had to line up alphabetically according to our states. The day the pageant served a western themed lunch, we talked the hostesses into letting us wear their cowboy hats so we could take pictures with the cacti decorations. We had so much fun those weeks.
I also enjoyed meeting Tony Danza and having him refer to me as “paisan”, which is short for “paisano”, and is the equivalent to “buddy” or “friend” in Italian.
In all seriousness, I think the most memorable moment had to be the events on September 11, 2001. We were in Atlantic City rehearsing for the show at that time and the pageant did an amazing job of providing group counseling services, religious and non-religious, for us. I remember sitting in the group led by the Catholic priest, and Angela Perez Baraquio, Miss America 2001, came over to our group to tell us that she felt that we needed a Miss America in this difficult time, because our children needed a good role model. Because of the tragic events of this day, our Miss America class became extremely close and recently celebrated our ten year anniversary this year in Las Vegas. In 2002, our class published, Under the Crown: 51 Stories of Courage, Determination, and the American Spirit.
Tell us about the gown you wore during Miss America.
My gown was powder blue, strapless, and made of chiffon. The sweetheart neckline was outlined with rhinestones, and it had a light layer of material speckled with rhinestones on one side of my leg to give it the “illusion” look. I had a wonderful gown sponsor at that time, Lynn Rash, in Virginia. Her store actually had a runway with lights in order for you to try on the gowns and see how you will look with the stage lighting. I actually picked out a beautiful beaded gold gown, but under the lights it didn’t look great with my skin tone. I then tried on the powder blue gown, and when I walked out of the dressing room, my Executive Director started crying. We knew that was the gown for me.
What was going through your head when you were called into the top 20 and then into the top 10 at Miss America.
Well, I was the LAST one called into the Top 20, so I remember thinking that I wasn’t going to make the cut. When it got down to the final spot, I actually remember thinking, “Please let this be me!” I was still so grateful to be there competing on the Miss America stage that I knew I wouldn’t have been devastatingly disappointed if I didn’t make it. For the Top 10, I didn’t have time to think about anything because I was the first one called. It’s just pure excitement and a mix of emotions. You are humbled, grateful, scared, nervous, and thrilled all at the same time.
What emotions were you going through when you crowned your successor?
When my year of service ended, I was ready to pass on the title of Miss West Virginia.
While I thoroughly enjoyed every minute of my year, I felt it was time to pass the experience on to another young woman so that she may enjoy the journey as well. After traveling to all 55 counties in WV and parts of PA, VA, and MD, I was ready to return to school and begin the next chapter of my life with the knowledge and experience I learned during my year. I knew that even though I was no longer the current Miss West Virginia, I will always be Miss West Virginia 2001. Most importantly, I will always have the memories of the people I met, the appearances I made, and West Virginians who provided me with so much love and support.
What have you been up to since your reign as Miss West Virginia ended?
After Miss West Virginia, I went back to West Virginia University and received my bachelors and masters degrees in education, and thanks to Miss America, graduated debt-free. I taught eighth grade middle school math for one year. In a change of career paths, I went back to WVU and entered law school. I worked as the Assistant General Counsel for our West Virginia State Auditor, Glen B. Gainer, III, and now work as a Senior Law Clerk for Forfeiture Support Associates, LLC, assigned to the United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of West Virginia.
To give back to Miss America, I asked to volunteer and was welcomed by the Miss Northern West Virginia Scholarship Organization, a local preliminary to Miss West Virginia. This year, I was lucky enough to serve as President. I was also honored with my first time judging experience at the Miss Iowa Scholarship Pageant this past June.