Maria Cahill
Miss Delaware 2011
Why did you decide to compete in the Miss Rehoboth Beach pageant?
I competed in this pageant completely on a whim. The Tuesday before the Saturday pageant, I received an email from a local director telling me about Miss Rehoboth Beach and how it was the preliminary to the Miss Delaware pageant. Having Irish Danced for 14 years and growing up performing and speaking in front of large audiences, I decided to give it a try and came out on top! Needless to say, I celebrated the win by devouring a Big Mac meal (no pickle) in 3 minutes flat.
Tell us about your platform, "Project 16-26: Drive Safe, Drive Smart".
Not knowing anything about the Miss America Organization, I picked a different platform based off of my previous volunteer experience growing up. I competed with a Special Olympics platform after working with the organization for 6 years prior. However, after losing a friend to a texting and driving accident just a week after I won Miss Rehoboth Beach and almost losing my older sister just a few weeks after that in a car accident, I quickly realized that this was an issue affecting my generation and knew I could make an impact with it.
Tell us about your experience on the TV show "America's Next Top Model".
I have an extremely bizarre love for this show. I am obsessed with the fashion industry so it is no surprise that I have watched every single episode more times than any normal person should. I saw online an open call for a new season of the show. I waited in line for 4 hours in the humidity and rain (why, hello there, curly hair of mine…nice of you to poof right up at this moment!...) to stand in front of a camera for 30 seconds to tell them why I should be America’s Next Top Model and then leave. GREAT! I thought I didn’t make it until a month later, I got a phone call from the producers while eating dinner in Applebees with my best friend saying that I made it to a “semi-final round” in New York City. While I was cut during one of the MANY cuts there, it was an experience I will never forget!
How long have you been dancing for and how did it start?
I have been dancing now for about 14 years and currently help run a branch of my Irish Dance school. I originally started with the typical jazz and ballet class but was pulled out because my parents thought the outfits were too “scandalous” for a 5 year old. I started taking an Irish Dance class that was offered at my school after hours and caught on very quickly! I am one of seven brothers and sisters and every year after I started, one by one every single kid joined. There was a point in time where we were considered the “Von Trapp’s of the Irish Dance world,” thus solidifying our place as the World’s Coolest Kids…to my parents at least!
What was going through your head when you were announced as the new Miss Delaware?
I was told that from when I was called to the top 5 all the way to when I won, I looked like I was about to cry/pass out/throw up or some weird combination of the three. I was in utter shock. Just take a look at the crowning pictures. Absolutely atrocious….and that is putting it nicely. I suppose that if it crossed my mind for one second that I would win, I would have practiced my winning face in the mirror. Not cute. Especially the mascara than ran down my face and ended up on my chest. How?!?!.....I guess there is no point in speculating now…
What would be your most memorable moment as Miss Delaware?
I have had many memorable ones. One of my goals as Miss Delaware was to change people’s perspective on “pageant girls.” At one of my last appearances as Miss Delaware, I noticed this woman watching me. Eventually, she approached me and said, “You know, I haven’t watched Miss America for 20 years because I thought they were all dumb with no personality and just looks. After watching you with these kids, I think I am going to start watching it again.” That woman will never know how much that comment meant to me. Mission accomplished.
And of course there was that time at my very last appearance where I went to the entire thing with my dress on backwards….that was pretty memorable…
Lastly, what have you been up to since your reign as Miss Delaware ended?
The weekend after I gave up my crown, I headed to Fire Island off of New York to nanny for the summer! I am now back in school pursuing a degree in Studio Production with a minor in Political Science. My dream is to attend Grad school at Syracuse University. Until then, I am just doing my best trying to stay out of trouble…
I competed in this pageant completely on a whim. The Tuesday before the Saturday pageant, I received an email from a local director telling me about Miss Rehoboth Beach and how it was the preliminary to the Miss Delaware pageant. Having Irish Danced for 14 years and growing up performing and speaking in front of large audiences, I decided to give it a try and came out on top! Needless to say, I celebrated the win by devouring a Big Mac meal (no pickle) in 3 minutes flat.
Tell us about your platform, "Project 16-26: Drive Safe, Drive Smart".
Not knowing anything about the Miss America Organization, I picked a different platform based off of my previous volunteer experience growing up. I competed with a Special Olympics platform after working with the organization for 6 years prior. However, after losing a friend to a texting and driving accident just a week after I won Miss Rehoboth Beach and almost losing my older sister just a few weeks after that in a car accident, I quickly realized that this was an issue affecting my generation and knew I could make an impact with it.
Tell us about your experience on the TV show "America's Next Top Model".
I have an extremely bizarre love for this show. I am obsessed with the fashion industry so it is no surprise that I have watched every single episode more times than any normal person should. I saw online an open call for a new season of the show. I waited in line for 4 hours in the humidity and rain (why, hello there, curly hair of mine…nice of you to poof right up at this moment!...) to stand in front of a camera for 30 seconds to tell them why I should be America’s Next Top Model and then leave. GREAT! I thought I didn’t make it until a month later, I got a phone call from the producers while eating dinner in Applebees with my best friend saying that I made it to a “semi-final round” in New York City. While I was cut during one of the MANY cuts there, it was an experience I will never forget!
How long have you been dancing for and how did it start?
I have been dancing now for about 14 years and currently help run a branch of my Irish Dance school. I originally started with the typical jazz and ballet class but was pulled out because my parents thought the outfits were too “scandalous” for a 5 year old. I started taking an Irish Dance class that was offered at my school after hours and caught on very quickly! I am one of seven brothers and sisters and every year after I started, one by one every single kid joined. There was a point in time where we were considered the “Von Trapp’s of the Irish Dance world,” thus solidifying our place as the World’s Coolest Kids…to my parents at least!
What was going through your head when you were announced as the new Miss Delaware?
I was told that from when I was called to the top 5 all the way to when I won, I looked like I was about to cry/pass out/throw up or some weird combination of the three. I was in utter shock. Just take a look at the crowning pictures. Absolutely atrocious….and that is putting it nicely. I suppose that if it crossed my mind for one second that I would win, I would have practiced my winning face in the mirror. Not cute. Especially the mascara than ran down my face and ended up on my chest. How?!?!.....I guess there is no point in speculating now…
What would be your most memorable moment as Miss Delaware?
I have had many memorable ones. One of my goals as Miss Delaware was to change people’s perspective on “pageant girls.” At one of my last appearances as Miss Delaware, I noticed this woman watching me. Eventually, she approached me and said, “You know, I haven’t watched Miss America for 20 years because I thought they were all dumb with no personality and just looks. After watching you with these kids, I think I am going to start watching it again.” That woman will never know how much that comment meant to me. Mission accomplished.
And of course there was that time at my very last appearance where I went to the entire thing with my dress on backwards….that was pretty memorable…
Lastly, what have you been up to since your reign as Miss Delaware ended?
The weekend after I gave up my crown, I headed to Fire Island off of New York to nanny for the summer! I am now back in school pursuing a degree in Studio Production with a minor in Political Science. My dream is to attend Grad school at Syracuse University. Until then, I am just doing my best trying to stay out of trouble…