Stacy James Interview
Miss Texas 2001 (top 20 @ Miss America 2002)
Why did you decide to compete in the Miss Lake O'the Pines pageant?
Miss LOP had a great reputation then. They had awesome directors and several Miss Texas’ had been LOP. I was honored to have won. They treat their girl like a true princess and you become part of the LOP family for always.
Tell us about your platform, "Alzheimer's Awareness: Educating a Nation".
My grandmother had Alzheimer’s disease for 21 years. That platform really chose me. Back when I was MissTexas in 2001, there was still a lot of confusion about what Alzheimer’s was. Many thought is was just an elderly man or woman who forgot where their car keys were. That is not that case and now a decade later, our nation as a whole is much more educated about what this disease is. I knew as Miss Texas, I would be able to use my voice to talk to so many about Alzheimer’s and how it is affecting our nation.
What was going through your head when you were called into the top 20 at Miss America?
I was thrilled! My year at Miss America was unique…9-11 happened that year while we were in Atlantic City. I remember being in my room and then at rehearsal learning about what had happened. Of course we didn’t know if the pageant would air, but I believe it was the first live event to happen after Tuesday’s tragic events. I was so proud to be called at in the 20 because I was able to be escorted by my father, David James.
What would be your most memorable moment as Miss Texas?
I have so many awesome memories of that year. I was able to sing at so many places…sporting events, like the Texas Rangers, NASCAR events, and charitable functions where I met many celebrities. I was able to travel to DC as an Alzheimer’s advocate and sang “My Heart Will Go On” on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial. I was in parades and emceed and sang at this and that. But one of the greatest things about being Miss Texas is traveling to all the schools, talking to kids of all ages. I would always have Traveling Companions with me, who I became very close to and still am. There are lots of memorable moments, but all in all, being Miss Texas allowed me to be an advocate of things I believed in, and it allowed me to meet people I never would have met.
What emotions were you going through when you took your final walk and crowned the next Miss Texas?
Over 365 appearances that year, and lots of hard work, speaking, singing…each moment was worth it. There were sad moments knowing I would see some of my friends as much that I had made, but I was ready to crown the next girl so they could experience what I had.
What emotions were you going through when you took your final walk and crowned the next Miss Texas?
Over 365 appearances that year, and lots of hard work, speaking, singing…each moment was worth it. There were sad moments knowing I would see some of my friends as much that I had made, but I was ready to crown the next girl so they could experience what I had.
What have you been up to since your reign as Miss Texas ended?
My reign ended in 2002..since then I had already graduated Baylor University, so I attended Law School and used all of my Miss Texas and Miss America scholarship monies. I then married the man of my dreams, Ben Mayo. I traveled with the Gaither Gospel singing group and made my own Christian CD. I also did a lot of theater shows that I produced along with Miss Texas pageant. My current claim to fame are our beautiful children, David who is 4 and Alexis is 1. Ben and I have been married 7 years.I just got back from Miss Texas 2012 where I was involved with production. It’s always fun to play pageant the week of the 4th with Miss Texas! A great time and some great girls. Whoever wins will represent a wonderful state and meet lots of neat people.
Miss LOP had a great reputation then. They had awesome directors and several Miss Texas’ had been LOP. I was honored to have won. They treat their girl like a true princess and you become part of the LOP family for always.
Tell us about your platform, "Alzheimer's Awareness: Educating a Nation".
My grandmother had Alzheimer’s disease for 21 years. That platform really chose me. Back when I was MissTexas in 2001, there was still a lot of confusion about what Alzheimer’s was. Many thought is was just an elderly man or woman who forgot where their car keys were. That is not that case and now a decade later, our nation as a whole is much more educated about what this disease is. I knew as Miss Texas, I would be able to use my voice to talk to so many about Alzheimer’s and how it is affecting our nation.
What was going through your head when you were called into the top 20 at Miss America?
I was thrilled! My year at Miss America was unique…9-11 happened that year while we were in Atlantic City. I remember being in my room and then at rehearsal learning about what had happened. Of course we didn’t know if the pageant would air, but I believe it was the first live event to happen after Tuesday’s tragic events. I was so proud to be called at in the 20 because I was able to be escorted by my father, David James.
What would be your most memorable moment as Miss Texas?
I have so many awesome memories of that year. I was able to sing at so many places…sporting events, like the Texas Rangers, NASCAR events, and charitable functions where I met many celebrities. I was able to travel to DC as an Alzheimer’s advocate and sang “My Heart Will Go On” on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial. I was in parades and emceed and sang at this and that. But one of the greatest things about being Miss Texas is traveling to all the schools, talking to kids of all ages. I would always have Traveling Companions with me, who I became very close to and still am. There are lots of memorable moments, but all in all, being Miss Texas allowed me to be an advocate of things I believed in, and it allowed me to meet people I never would have met.
What emotions were you going through when you took your final walk and crowned the next Miss Texas?
Over 365 appearances that year, and lots of hard work, speaking, singing…each moment was worth it. There were sad moments knowing I would see some of my friends as much that I had made, but I was ready to crown the next girl so they could experience what I had.
What emotions were you going through when you took your final walk and crowned the next Miss Texas?
Over 365 appearances that year, and lots of hard work, speaking, singing…each moment was worth it. There were sad moments knowing I would see some of my friends as much that I had made, but I was ready to crown the next girl so they could experience what I had.
What have you been up to since your reign as Miss Texas ended?
My reign ended in 2002..since then I had already graduated Baylor University, so I attended Law School and used all of my Miss Texas and Miss America scholarship monies. I then married the man of my dreams, Ben Mayo. I traveled with the Gaither Gospel singing group and made my own Christian CD. I also did a lot of theater shows that I produced along with Miss Texas pageant. My current claim to fame are our beautiful children, David who is 4 and Alexis is 1. Ben and I have been married 7 years.I just got back from Miss Texas 2012 where I was involved with production. It’s always fun to play pageant the week of the 4th with Miss Texas! A great time and some great girls. Whoever wins will represent a wonderful state and meet lots of neat people.