Kaitlynne Postel Interview
Miss Kentucky 2007
Why did you decide to compete in the Miss Monticello pageant?
My initial decision to compete in the Miss America system was due to the involvement of my mother and my Aunt in the late 70s/early 80s. At around the age of 6, I discovered that my mother had been Miss Maryland and competed for the title of Miss America in 1983. Similarly, my Aunt Marcia was Miss Kentucky and competed nationally in 1979. I have always looked up to my mother and wanted the chance to walk in her footsteps. My desire to compete on the local level sprung from the desire to make a lasting positive impression in the lives of others. Monticello, Kentucky borders the town of Somerset where I lived for 7 years as a child and I thought it would be wonderful to represent the area I hold so dear.
What was going through your head when your name was announced as the new Miss Kentucky?
I think it was something like, “Are you kidding me? Thank you Lord! Where are my parents?! Don’t faint. Don’t trip! Pull yourself together!! You’re making some pretty horrifying noises right now and you definitely are not a pretty crier!” It was such an emotional moment. For about a year after I was crowned, it was fairly common to walk into my dad’s office and find him wiping away tears as he was watching the crowning on his computer during a break from a conference call. It was a very special time for our entire family.
Tell us about the platform you used during your reign, “Standing Tall and Respecting All”.
My platform stemmed from a series of children’s books written by my uncle, R.G. Graham. One of the books in the series was entitled, Standing Tall and Respecting All. I felt that the name in itself sent a great message without any explanation. My platform was aimed at elevating the self esteem and attitude of children. As Miss Kentucky, you travel to over 160 schools in the Commonwealth so you come in contact with a LOT of children! My goal with my platform was to instill within the children I encountered the importance of respecting oneself, peers, and authority figures, while also emphasizing that they are special, loved, and they matter in life.
What would be your most memorable moment at Miss America?
Oh goodness there are so many! I loved the time I spent with the girls and the friendships that flourished through our experience. The most touching memories are those that involved my family and friends. I will always cherish the surprise of seeing my mom waiting for me right after my interview with the judges. Her flight had just landed and she rushed to the hotel to embrace me when it was over. I will never forget all of my supporters circling around me after the final night and serenading me with “My Old Kentucky Home.” The memory of standing on stage and blowing kisses to my family during the commercial break before the top 15 was announced will make me smile for years to come as well.
When did you start singing and how did you get into it?
I was raised in a family of singers so I have been singing my entire life. My first “performance” was in kindergarten in our Christmas pageant and I sang “Happy Birthday Jesus” with my friend Alex. When I got a little older and could understand what nerves were, it took a bit more coaxing to get me to sing in public.
Tell us about the “No Ifs, Ands, or Butts - It's the Law" program.
During her year of service, Miss Kentucky is the spokesperson for this program, which is sponsored by the Kentucky Department of Agriculture. It is a campaign that was developed to inform students about the laws pertaining to the underage use of tobacco products in the state of Kentucky. At each school I visited, I spoke on behalf of “No Ifs, Ands, or Butts” and “Standing Tall and Respecting All.”
What would be your most memorable moment as Miss Kentucky?
I absolutely loved being Miss Kentucky and serving the state and our people. The children, their innocence, and wonder touched my heart and made me a better person. I treasured my visits to the University of Kentucky Children’s Hospital and the joyful atmosphere that filled what could be a dark place. Spending time with our Veteran’s and heroes at the Veteran’s Hospital made me wiser and more appreciative of the freedoms I have been afforded. Helping grant the Wish of a very sick little girl named Makayla opened my eyes to struggles that I could not previously have fathomed. Thanking God for allowing me to have all of these wonderful memories and so many more that have gone unmentioned is something I cannot do enough. It would be very hard to choose one moment that was the most memorable.
You competed in the Miss Kentucky USA 2008 pageant last year and placed as the 2nd runner up. Will you be competing again this year?
You betcha! I had a blast competing for KY USA. I am really looking forward to this year’s competition. Last year was a chance for me to explore the differences in the two systems and what was expected of me as a competitor… and now I know what it takes.
Lastly, what have you been up to since your reign as Miss Kentucky ended?
I immediately headed back to the University of Kentucky and did not miss one home football game! One thing I missed during my year as Miss Kentucky was attending football games with my parents. I will be taking junior and senior level Communication Disorders classes simultaneously next year in order to graduate in May of 2010. The Communication Disorders program is a highly competitive and selective program at UK so I know I will have my work cut out for me. Aside from school, I was asked by Heather French Henry, Miss America 2000 to model for her dress catalogue which was a great break from college! I judged the Miss Mississippi’s Outstanding Teen and Little/Preteen Miss Kentucky pageants in June and loved being on the other side of things. I am taking summer classes two days a week, babysitting for two adorable children, heading to the gym every night after “work”, and spending the remainder of my time playing with my toy Australian shepherd Layla Grace. I am so incredibly blessed and life is wonderful!
My initial decision to compete in the Miss America system was due to the involvement of my mother and my Aunt in the late 70s/early 80s. At around the age of 6, I discovered that my mother had been Miss Maryland and competed for the title of Miss America in 1983. Similarly, my Aunt Marcia was Miss Kentucky and competed nationally in 1979. I have always looked up to my mother and wanted the chance to walk in her footsteps. My desire to compete on the local level sprung from the desire to make a lasting positive impression in the lives of others. Monticello, Kentucky borders the town of Somerset where I lived for 7 years as a child and I thought it would be wonderful to represent the area I hold so dear.
What was going through your head when your name was announced as the new Miss Kentucky?
I think it was something like, “Are you kidding me? Thank you Lord! Where are my parents?! Don’t faint. Don’t trip! Pull yourself together!! You’re making some pretty horrifying noises right now and you definitely are not a pretty crier!” It was such an emotional moment. For about a year after I was crowned, it was fairly common to walk into my dad’s office and find him wiping away tears as he was watching the crowning on his computer during a break from a conference call. It was a very special time for our entire family.
Tell us about the platform you used during your reign, “Standing Tall and Respecting All”.
My platform stemmed from a series of children’s books written by my uncle, R.G. Graham. One of the books in the series was entitled, Standing Tall and Respecting All. I felt that the name in itself sent a great message without any explanation. My platform was aimed at elevating the self esteem and attitude of children. As Miss Kentucky, you travel to over 160 schools in the Commonwealth so you come in contact with a LOT of children! My goal with my platform was to instill within the children I encountered the importance of respecting oneself, peers, and authority figures, while also emphasizing that they are special, loved, and they matter in life.
What would be your most memorable moment at Miss America?
Oh goodness there are so many! I loved the time I spent with the girls and the friendships that flourished through our experience. The most touching memories are those that involved my family and friends. I will always cherish the surprise of seeing my mom waiting for me right after my interview with the judges. Her flight had just landed and she rushed to the hotel to embrace me when it was over. I will never forget all of my supporters circling around me after the final night and serenading me with “My Old Kentucky Home.” The memory of standing on stage and blowing kisses to my family during the commercial break before the top 15 was announced will make me smile for years to come as well.
When did you start singing and how did you get into it?
I was raised in a family of singers so I have been singing my entire life. My first “performance” was in kindergarten in our Christmas pageant and I sang “Happy Birthday Jesus” with my friend Alex. When I got a little older and could understand what nerves were, it took a bit more coaxing to get me to sing in public.
Tell us about the “No Ifs, Ands, or Butts - It's the Law" program.
During her year of service, Miss Kentucky is the spokesperson for this program, which is sponsored by the Kentucky Department of Agriculture. It is a campaign that was developed to inform students about the laws pertaining to the underage use of tobacco products in the state of Kentucky. At each school I visited, I spoke on behalf of “No Ifs, Ands, or Butts” and “Standing Tall and Respecting All.”
What would be your most memorable moment as Miss Kentucky?
I absolutely loved being Miss Kentucky and serving the state and our people. The children, their innocence, and wonder touched my heart and made me a better person. I treasured my visits to the University of Kentucky Children’s Hospital and the joyful atmosphere that filled what could be a dark place. Spending time with our Veteran’s and heroes at the Veteran’s Hospital made me wiser and more appreciative of the freedoms I have been afforded. Helping grant the Wish of a very sick little girl named Makayla opened my eyes to struggles that I could not previously have fathomed. Thanking God for allowing me to have all of these wonderful memories and so many more that have gone unmentioned is something I cannot do enough. It would be very hard to choose one moment that was the most memorable.
You competed in the Miss Kentucky USA 2008 pageant last year and placed as the 2nd runner up. Will you be competing again this year?
You betcha! I had a blast competing for KY USA. I am really looking forward to this year’s competition. Last year was a chance for me to explore the differences in the two systems and what was expected of me as a competitor… and now I know what it takes.
Lastly, what have you been up to since your reign as Miss Kentucky ended?
I immediately headed back to the University of Kentucky and did not miss one home football game! One thing I missed during my year as Miss Kentucky was attending football games with my parents. I will be taking junior and senior level Communication Disorders classes simultaneously next year in order to graduate in May of 2010. The Communication Disorders program is a highly competitive and selective program at UK so I know I will have my work cut out for me. Aside from school, I was asked by Heather French Henry, Miss America 2000 to model for her dress catalogue which was a great break from college! I judged the Miss Mississippi’s Outstanding Teen and Little/Preteen Miss Kentucky pageants in June and loved being on the other side of things. I am taking summer classes two days a week, babysitting for two adorable children, heading to the gym every night after “work”, and spending the remainder of my time playing with my toy Australian shepherd Layla Grace. I am so incredibly blessed and life is wonderful!