Marina Harrison Interview
Miss Maryland 2003 + 3rd runner up @ Miss America 2004 + Casual Wear Award Winner
Miss Maryland USA 2005 + top 10 @ Miss USA 2005
Why did you decide to compete in the Miss Burtonsville pageant?
I enjoyed my experience as Miss Annapolis the previous year and greatly appreciately the scholarship money which helped me complete my last year of school at the University of Maryland. I wanted to compete in Miss Burtonsville, not only to give the Miss Maryland job another try after coming close as 4th runner-up in my first attempt at the title, but also because the idea of paying off student loans with additional scholarship money was highly attractive. Ultimately my Miss Maryland and Miss America scholarship money paid off all of my school loans entirely and left enough for graduate school.
What was going through your head when you were announced as the new Miss Maryland?
Well, it was easy to visually see what was going through my head..pure and utter shock! First, I screamed "What!?" Then I looked around the stage to validate what was really happening. Finally, I shook my head quickly to make sure I was tuned into reality. I stood on the stage with many qualified and accomplished young ladies and feel honored to be have been selected--I think it showed. For me, it didn't really register that I was Miss Maryland until I had to give my first speech at the farewell brunch the next day. I was overcome with emotion and barely slept the night before.
Tell us about the platform you used during Miss Maryland, “Public Education: Providing the Best for America's Children”.
I adopted my platform at a time when "No Child Left Behind" was making all of the headlines and putting public educaiton systems across the nation under tremendous scrutiny. My platform was about promoting the success stories of our public schools and their immeasurable value to our country and our democracy. Whether or not your child attends a public school, when such a large majority of Americans rely on public education, no one can deny that their success or failure affects us all.
What would be one of your first thoughts when you were announced as the 3rd runner up and the casual wear winner at Miss America?
When I was called as 3rd runner-up I thought, "Cool! Not too shabby!" I don't think I knew I was casual wear winner until after the show, or perhaps the next day at the awards ceremony. Everything happens so quickly during the telecast, you barely have time to think about the incredible experience you are smack in the middle of. Likewise, any excitement about being called as a semi-finalist or finalist is quickly pushed aside as soon as you step off stage when you have less than a commercial break to change clothes, get into position, and get mentally ready for the next phase of competition.
What would be your most memorable moment at Miss America?
My most memorable moment at Miss America was when the audience began to boo my lower placement. I was flattered but my immediate reaction was to say "Its okay" because it was okay--and not the end of the world. My placement was a great accomplishment. Even the guy who handed me my 3rd-runner up flowers whispered to me something like "I thought you had it" or "I bet on you" which made me laugh and kept me smiling.
Why did you decide to compete at the Miss Maryland USA pageant?
The idea of being a pioneer and doing something no one before me had succeeded in doing was very attractive. Also, the added bonus of the national pageant being held locally in Baltimore at the Hippodrome (literally my backyard at the time as a downtown Baltimore resident) finally put me over the edge to enter the Maryland USA pageant.
What would be one of your first thoughts when you were called into the top 15 and then into the top 10 at Miss USA?
Being the hometown girl, but also a girl in a state program that had seen little "action" in the national competition in nearly a decade, I really wanted to do well at Miss USA. They called me toward the end of the top 15 and Top 10 finalists each time which really did a number of my emotions. Understanding the requirements and qualifications of a Miss America and Miss USA are very different, I was pleased to do well at both pageants. Best of all I had a fantastic time and met women I still keep in touch with today.
What would be your most memorable moment at Miss USA?
There were so many! The dance/choreography rehearsals were a blast. Traveling around the State of Maryland to different sites and meeting people that I still keep in contact with today. I would like to think I was able to take more in at Miss USA instead of getting caught up in the whirlwind experience. You can probably chalk that up to being firmly set in familiar surroundings, an additional year of maturity, or the added bonus of having competed in a national pageant.
Lastly, what have you been up to since your reign as Miss Maryland USA ended?
Since my reign, I have continued to take speaking engagements to encourage others hone their skills and to pursue their dreams. I also do my best to support and volunteer with the pageant organizations that have helped me and continue to help so many others. I am putting to use much of the public speaking experience I gained through my two reigns in my career as a spokesperson. Most of all, I am enjoying married life and expecting my first baby late Summer 2009.
I enjoyed my experience as Miss Annapolis the previous year and greatly appreciately the scholarship money which helped me complete my last year of school at the University of Maryland. I wanted to compete in Miss Burtonsville, not only to give the Miss Maryland job another try after coming close as 4th runner-up in my first attempt at the title, but also because the idea of paying off student loans with additional scholarship money was highly attractive. Ultimately my Miss Maryland and Miss America scholarship money paid off all of my school loans entirely and left enough for graduate school.
What was going through your head when you were announced as the new Miss Maryland?
Well, it was easy to visually see what was going through my head..pure and utter shock! First, I screamed "What!?" Then I looked around the stage to validate what was really happening. Finally, I shook my head quickly to make sure I was tuned into reality. I stood on the stage with many qualified and accomplished young ladies and feel honored to be have been selected--I think it showed. For me, it didn't really register that I was Miss Maryland until I had to give my first speech at the farewell brunch the next day. I was overcome with emotion and barely slept the night before.
Tell us about the platform you used during Miss Maryland, “Public Education: Providing the Best for America's Children”.
I adopted my platform at a time when "No Child Left Behind" was making all of the headlines and putting public educaiton systems across the nation under tremendous scrutiny. My platform was about promoting the success stories of our public schools and their immeasurable value to our country and our democracy. Whether or not your child attends a public school, when such a large majority of Americans rely on public education, no one can deny that their success or failure affects us all.
What would be one of your first thoughts when you were announced as the 3rd runner up and the casual wear winner at Miss America?
When I was called as 3rd runner-up I thought, "Cool! Not too shabby!" I don't think I knew I was casual wear winner until after the show, or perhaps the next day at the awards ceremony. Everything happens so quickly during the telecast, you barely have time to think about the incredible experience you are smack in the middle of. Likewise, any excitement about being called as a semi-finalist or finalist is quickly pushed aside as soon as you step off stage when you have less than a commercial break to change clothes, get into position, and get mentally ready for the next phase of competition.
What would be your most memorable moment at Miss America?
My most memorable moment at Miss America was when the audience began to boo my lower placement. I was flattered but my immediate reaction was to say "Its okay" because it was okay--and not the end of the world. My placement was a great accomplishment. Even the guy who handed me my 3rd-runner up flowers whispered to me something like "I thought you had it" or "I bet on you" which made me laugh and kept me smiling.
Why did you decide to compete at the Miss Maryland USA pageant?
The idea of being a pioneer and doing something no one before me had succeeded in doing was very attractive. Also, the added bonus of the national pageant being held locally in Baltimore at the Hippodrome (literally my backyard at the time as a downtown Baltimore resident) finally put me over the edge to enter the Maryland USA pageant.
What would be one of your first thoughts when you were called into the top 15 and then into the top 10 at Miss USA?
Being the hometown girl, but also a girl in a state program that had seen little "action" in the national competition in nearly a decade, I really wanted to do well at Miss USA. They called me toward the end of the top 15 and Top 10 finalists each time which really did a number of my emotions. Understanding the requirements and qualifications of a Miss America and Miss USA are very different, I was pleased to do well at both pageants. Best of all I had a fantastic time and met women I still keep in touch with today.
What would be your most memorable moment at Miss USA?
There were so many! The dance/choreography rehearsals were a blast. Traveling around the State of Maryland to different sites and meeting people that I still keep in contact with today. I would like to think I was able to take more in at Miss USA instead of getting caught up in the whirlwind experience. You can probably chalk that up to being firmly set in familiar surroundings, an additional year of maturity, or the added bonus of having competed in a national pageant.
Lastly, what have you been up to since your reign as Miss Maryland USA ended?
Since my reign, I have continued to take speaking engagements to encourage others hone their skills and to pursue their dreams. I also do my best to support and volunteer with the pageant organizations that have helped me and continue to help so many others. I am putting to use much of the public speaking experience I gained through my two reigns in my career as a spokesperson. Most of all, I am enjoying married life and expecting my first baby late Summer 2009.