Diana Reed Interview
Miss Iowa 2007 + top 16 @ Miss America 2008
Why did you decide to compete in the Miss Capital City pageant?
I entered my first local at the age of 18 with a good friend of mine because we both thought it would be a fun experience to try together. We were both looking for ways to earn scholarship money for college and at the time each contestant received a scholarship for just participating in Miss Capital City. In addition, I saw it as another opportunity to get onstage and perform my talent for others.
What was going through your head when you were announced as the new Miss Iowa?
I was thrilled and also surprised. It was my third year competing for the Miss Iowa title and I had no idea where I stood going into the final night of competition because I hadn’t won any preliminary awards. After being crowned, I believe my exact thoughts were, “I’m going to Miss America!! I can’t believe it!! I’m going to go to Miss America!!” I don’t think the reality of the accomplishment actually sunk in until a week later.
When did you begin baton twirling?
I started twirling the baton at the age of four. A lady in my hometown of Norwalk, Iowa, taught recreational classes in the basement of our church. After begging my parents for several months to sign me up, they finally bought me a baton and allowed me to join because the first month of class was free. I don’t think they ever would have imagined that a free month of classes would one day pay for my college education, allow me to travel the country, and compete in the Miss America Pageant. I’m proud to say that 20 years later, I still have the same twirling coach, Jan Stivers, who also came to cheer me on at Miss America.
Tell us about your platform, “Character Education: Building Futures by Building Kids.”
My ultimate goal as Miss Iowa was to elevate the virtue of my state by influencing youth to make better decisions and sustain healthier lifestyles. I worked closely with the Institute for Character Development in Iowa and the National Character Counts! Program for over six years to help instill core ethic values such as respect, responsibility, and honesty both in and out of the classroom. I used my voice and twirling talent to show kids that they could be successful at anything when they make wise decisions and maintain positive personal standards. It was very rewarding for me to watch first-hand the transformation of communities, schools, and individuals through the Six Pillars of Character. After traveling over 50,000 miles and sharing my personal experiences and beliefs with over 45,000 of the Midwest’s youth during my year as Miss Iowa, I hope that I inspired kids of all ages to rise above negative influences such as violence and drug abuse and to work hard for their own dreams.
Tell us about your experience on the reality show “Miss America: Reality Check”.
The reality show “Miss America: Reality Check” was definitely an adventure. I don’t think any of us knew what to expect going into it, but looking back, I had a lot of fun! From getting makeovers and filming commercials to playing mafia in Army make-up and walking the red carpet with paparazzi, we had some amazing experiences that we would have never had without doing the show. The best part of taking part in the reality show was the opportunity to get to know the other 51 woman before going to Miss America. The fact that I was able to bond and make friendships before arriving in Las Vegas made the Pageant feel less like a competition and more like a reunion of sisters. It is a remarkable feeling to be able to cheer on and support your competition because they are also your friends.
What would be the first thought when you were announced as a preliminary talent winner?
It was an amazing feeling! If there was only one award I could have received at Miss America, I would have wanted it to be the talent award. After over 20 years of dedicating my heart and soul to my talent of baton twirling, my hard work had paid off. As I accepted the award I thought of all my twirling students and all the other twirlers around the country that I represented on stage; I felt very proud to be a twirler. Twirlers are often overlooked or underestimated when it comes to talent competitions, but the truth is that twirling is a very difficult art to master. Every time I take the stage as a twirler my goal is to overcome the stereotypes with an exceptional performance. It had been many years since a twirler as won a preliminary talent award at Miss America and I felt honored to be standing on the Miss America stage holding the talent award myself.
What would be your first thought when you were announced into the top 16?
The finals night of competition was a very dreamlike experience and it flew by. You really didn’t have much time to think. I was very excited to move on in the competition, but at the same time knew the night was only just beginning. I was trying to balance my adrenaline high with staying focused on the phase of competition that was coming up next. I do recall looking out into the audience and seeing my Iowa cheering section in the balcony. As I watched them wave their signs and cheer for me as a top 16 finalist, I remember thinking, “take this in Diana, this is a really incredible moment.” The fact that so many of my closest friends and family came to support me that week was what truly made the finals competition such an amazing night for me.
What would be your most memorable moment at Miss America?
The moment onstage after nailing my baton routine with a no drop performance and receiving a standing ovation for my preliminary talent was the most memorable moment for me at the Miss America Pageant. The applause, recognition and respect I received during the preliminary night of competition in Las Vegas is one of my greatest accomplishments to date as a performer. The response was phenomenal and I will never forget the feeling of pride and elation that filled me after taking my final pose that night. It truly touched my heart!
What would be your most memorable moment as Miss Iowa?
I was fortunate to be Miss Iowa during the start of the 2008 presidential race and the Iowa Caucus. As a result, I had the opportunity to meet all the presidential candidates at fundraisers, fairs, and other political events all across my state. My most memorable encounter was the day I met our current President Barack Obama because in addition to meeting him also got to meet his wife (now first lady) Michelle and Oprah Winfrey. I have always had a great deal of respect for Oprah and it was a very surreal experience sitting in the second row watching her address a room of over 20,000 people. Although I met many celebrities during my year as Miss Iowa, Oprah is the only one that really left me star struck. Looking back, it is hard to believe that in one day I met three of our nation’s most influential people.
Lastly, what have you been up to since your reign as Miss Iowa ended?
After crowning my predecessor last June, I moved to New York City to pursue dance and musical theater. I spent several months focusing on my training before auditioning for shows. I was blessed to book a professional performing gig within the first year and spent this past summer performing in Atlantic City, the birth place of Miss America. I was the dance captain and swing for “The Show,” a Mardi Gras inspired interactive circus show for all ages.
In August, I was selected as a finalist in the Fame National Talent Search and was flown to California to compete in the finals at Six Flags Magic Mountain. I had the pleasure of meeting the entire cast of the upcoming film Fame along with performing in front of a room of MGM executives, directors, and even celebrities such as R&B singer Ciara. You can see highlights of the Fame National Talent Search on the Fame DVD when it comes out next year.
I entered my first local at the age of 18 with a good friend of mine because we both thought it would be a fun experience to try together. We were both looking for ways to earn scholarship money for college and at the time each contestant received a scholarship for just participating in Miss Capital City. In addition, I saw it as another opportunity to get onstage and perform my talent for others.
What was going through your head when you were announced as the new Miss Iowa?
I was thrilled and also surprised. It was my third year competing for the Miss Iowa title and I had no idea where I stood going into the final night of competition because I hadn’t won any preliminary awards. After being crowned, I believe my exact thoughts were, “I’m going to Miss America!! I can’t believe it!! I’m going to go to Miss America!!” I don’t think the reality of the accomplishment actually sunk in until a week later.
When did you begin baton twirling?
I started twirling the baton at the age of four. A lady in my hometown of Norwalk, Iowa, taught recreational classes in the basement of our church. After begging my parents for several months to sign me up, they finally bought me a baton and allowed me to join because the first month of class was free. I don’t think they ever would have imagined that a free month of classes would one day pay for my college education, allow me to travel the country, and compete in the Miss America Pageant. I’m proud to say that 20 years later, I still have the same twirling coach, Jan Stivers, who also came to cheer me on at Miss America.
Tell us about your platform, “Character Education: Building Futures by Building Kids.”
My ultimate goal as Miss Iowa was to elevate the virtue of my state by influencing youth to make better decisions and sustain healthier lifestyles. I worked closely with the Institute for Character Development in Iowa and the National Character Counts! Program for over six years to help instill core ethic values such as respect, responsibility, and honesty both in and out of the classroom. I used my voice and twirling talent to show kids that they could be successful at anything when they make wise decisions and maintain positive personal standards. It was very rewarding for me to watch first-hand the transformation of communities, schools, and individuals through the Six Pillars of Character. After traveling over 50,000 miles and sharing my personal experiences and beliefs with over 45,000 of the Midwest’s youth during my year as Miss Iowa, I hope that I inspired kids of all ages to rise above negative influences such as violence and drug abuse and to work hard for their own dreams.
Tell us about your experience on the reality show “Miss America: Reality Check”.
The reality show “Miss America: Reality Check” was definitely an adventure. I don’t think any of us knew what to expect going into it, but looking back, I had a lot of fun! From getting makeovers and filming commercials to playing mafia in Army make-up and walking the red carpet with paparazzi, we had some amazing experiences that we would have never had without doing the show. The best part of taking part in the reality show was the opportunity to get to know the other 51 woman before going to Miss America. The fact that I was able to bond and make friendships before arriving in Las Vegas made the Pageant feel less like a competition and more like a reunion of sisters. It is a remarkable feeling to be able to cheer on and support your competition because they are also your friends.
What would be the first thought when you were announced as a preliminary talent winner?
It was an amazing feeling! If there was only one award I could have received at Miss America, I would have wanted it to be the talent award. After over 20 years of dedicating my heart and soul to my talent of baton twirling, my hard work had paid off. As I accepted the award I thought of all my twirling students and all the other twirlers around the country that I represented on stage; I felt very proud to be a twirler. Twirlers are often overlooked or underestimated when it comes to talent competitions, but the truth is that twirling is a very difficult art to master. Every time I take the stage as a twirler my goal is to overcome the stereotypes with an exceptional performance. It had been many years since a twirler as won a preliminary talent award at Miss America and I felt honored to be standing on the Miss America stage holding the talent award myself.
What would be your first thought when you were announced into the top 16?
The finals night of competition was a very dreamlike experience and it flew by. You really didn’t have much time to think. I was very excited to move on in the competition, but at the same time knew the night was only just beginning. I was trying to balance my adrenaline high with staying focused on the phase of competition that was coming up next. I do recall looking out into the audience and seeing my Iowa cheering section in the balcony. As I watched them wave their signs and cheer for me as a top 16 finalist, I remember thinking, “take this in Diana, this is a really incredible moment.” The fact that so many of my closest friends and family came to support me that week was what truly made the finals competition such an amazing night for me.
What would be your most memorable moment at Miss America?
The moment onstage after nailing my baton routine with a no drop performance and receiving a standing ovation for my preliminary talent was the most memorable moment for me at the Miss America Pageant. The applause, recognition and respect I received during the preliminary night of competition in Las Vegas is one of my greatest accomplishments to date as a performer. The response was phenomenal and I will never forget the feeling of pride and elation that filled me after taking my final pose that night. It truly touched my heart!
What would be your most memorable moment as Miss Iowa?
I was fortunate to be Miss Iowa during the start of the 2008 presidential race and the Iowa Caucus. As a result, I had the opportunity to meet all the presidential candidates at fundraisers, fairs, and other political events all across my state. My most memorable encounter was the day I met our current President Barack Obama because in addition to meeting him also got to meet his wife (now first lady) Michelle and Oprah Winfrey. I have always had a great deal of respect for Oprah and it was a very surreal experience sitting in the second row watching her address a room of over 20,000 people. Although I met many celebrities during my year as Miss Iowa, Oprah is the only one that really left me star struck. Looking back, it is hard to believe that in one day I met three of our nation’s most influential people.
Lastly, what have you been up to since your reign as Miss Iowa ended?
After crowning my predecessor last June, I moved to New York City to pursue dance and musical theater. I spent several months focusing on my training before auditioning for shows. I was blessed to book a professional performing gig within the first year and spent this past summer performing in Atlantic City, the birth place of Miss America. I was the dance captain and swing for “The Show,” a Mardi Gras inspired interactive circus show for all ages.
In August, I was selected as a finalist in the Fame National Talent Search and was flown to California to compete in the finals at Six Flags Magic Mountain. I had the pleasure of meeting the entire cast of the upcoming film Fame along with performing in front of a room of MGM executives, directors, and even celebrities such as R&B singer Ciara. You can see highlights of the Fame National Talent Search on the Fame DVD when it comes out next year.