Taylor Kearns Interview
Miss North Dakota Teen USA 2007 + Miss North Dakota USA 2010
*interview was done prior to Taylor becoming Miss ND USA.
Why did you decide to compete in the Miss North Dakota Teen USA pageant?
As a young adult, I enjoy challenging myself with new and unique
experiences. As a senior in high school at Fargo South, the Miss North
Dakota Teen USA pageant appeared to be just that. As a first time pageant
contestant, I saw this preliminary to Miss Teen USA as an opportunity to
grow in every aspect of my life; personal relationships, citizenship and
volunteerism, and my large scale public interactions. I entered this
pageant not expecting what great opportunities the future would bring.
What was going through your head when you realized you were the new
Miss North Dakota Teen USA?
When the crown was placed on my head, I was in utter shock and pure
excitement simultaneously at being named Miss North Dakota Teen USA 2007.
It took a few days for reality to set in and then I got down to work. I
realized I had much to prepare for! The national competition MISS TEEN
USA, public speaking events and performances, as well as being a role
model for young girls in ND were only a few of the things I had to prepare
for.
In your home state, you are known for your beautiful singing voice,
when did you start singing?
I’ve held a passion for music and singing since I can remember. As a young
child, I was often too shy to sing for more than my mother’s video camera
or along with the songs on the radio. As the years progressed, my shyness
dissolved and performing shaped parts of who I am today. Looking back on
my 19 years, I cannot imagine life without my passion for singing.
What would be your most memorable moment at Miss North Dakota Teen USA
and Miss Teen USA?
I can pinpoint one moment that occurred at each pageant that stands out
among the rest – walking in the door. It seems like a pretty simple
action, but it held significance in each venue. As a contestant for the ND
pageant and nationals, I had no idea what to expect, but was blessed with
wonderful first impressions. In ND, everyone was just as nervous as I was,
but at that moment I felt a rush of excitement and confidence at the
ensuing competition. As I walked into our hotel for Miss Teen USA in sunny
Pasadena, I was proud to be one of 51 young women, there representing the
morals, character, and citizens of my great state, NORTH DAKOTA!!
What emotions were you going through when you gave away your title?
I spoke with several former queens about their experiences with crowning
their successors. Nothing anyone said could have described the intense
rush of mixed emotions I felt from the second I woke up on November 26th,
2008. The day was filled with enough preliminary judging to keep my mind
off of the nights crowning. As I took my final walk as Miss North Dakota
Teen USA 2007, I was absolutely overflowing with emotions. Not only was my
once in a lifetime opportunity coming to a close, but some new and lucky
girl was just about to embark on her very own journey. I am proud of the
remarkable young women known as ND Queens who have left their mark on this
great state and nation with their hard work.
Will you compete in another pageant in the future?
Pageants are an excellent opportunity for young women of all ages. After
competing for Miss Teen USA, and crowing my successor, I decided to
compete for the title of Miss Teen North Dakota International 2008. I
received First Runner-Up and won the Fun Fashion category. I look forward
to the many opportunities future pageants may bring to my life.
Lastly, what have you been up to since your reign as Miss ND Teen USA
ended?
The fall of 2007, I entered college at North Dakota State University.
There I was involved in Cheerleading, am currently a member of Concert
Choir, and am a Marketing major with a minor in Vocal Performance. I’ve
continued to perform locally. And finally, I am a dancer for the inaugural
season for the Fargo Force, a USHL hockey team.
As a young adult, I enjoy challenging myself with new and unique
experiences. As a senior in high school at Fargo South, the Miss North
Dakota Teen USA pageant appeared to be just that. As a first time pageant
contestant, I saw this preliminary to Miss Teen USA as an opportunity to
grow in every aspect of my life; personal relationships, citizenship and
volunteerism, and my large scale public interactions. I entered this
pageant not expecting what great opportunities the future would bring.
What was going through your head when you realized you were the new
Miss North Dakota Teen USA?
When the crown was placed on my head, I was in utter shock and pure
excitement simultaneously at being named Miss North Dakota Teen USA 2007.
It took a few days for reality to set in and then I got down to work. I
realized I had much to prepare for! The national competition MISS TEEN
USA, public speaking events and performances, as well as being a role
model for young girls in ND were only a few of the things I had to prepare
for.
In your home state, you are known for your beautiful singing voice,
when did you start singing?
I’ve held a passion for music and singing since I can remember. As a young
child, I was often too shy to sing for more than my mother’s video camera
or along with the songs on the radio. As the years progressed, my shyness
dissolved and performing shaped parts of who I am today. Looking back on
my 19 years, I cannot imagine life without my passion for singing.
What would be your most memorable moment at Miss North Dakota Teen USA
and Miss Teen USA?
I can pinpoint one moment that occurred at each pageant that stands out
among the rest – walking in the door. It seems like a pretty simple
action, but it held significance in each venue. As a contestant for the ND
pageant and nationals, I had no idea what to expect, but was blessed with
wonderful first impressions. In ND, everyone was just as nervous as I was,
but at that moment I felt a rush of excitement and confidence at the
ensuing competition. As I walked into our hotel for Miss Teen USA in sunny
Pasadena, I was proud to be one of 51 young women, there representing the
morals, character, and citizens of my great state, NORTH DAKOTA!!
What emotions were you going through when you gave away your title?
I spoke with several former queens about their experiences with crowning
their successors. Nothing anyone said could have described the intense
rush of mixed emotions I felt from the second I woke up on November 26th,
2008. The day was filled with enough preliminary judging to keep my mind
off of the nights crowning. As I took my final walk as Miss North Dakota
Teen USA 2007, I was absolutely overflowing with emotions. Not only was my
once in a lifetime opportunity coming to a close, but some new and lucky
girl was just about to embark on her very own journey. I am proud of the
remarkable young women known as ND Queens who have left their mark on this
great state and nation with their hard work.
Will you compete in another pageant in the future?
Pageants are an excellent opportunity for young women of all ages. After
competing for Miss Teen USA, and crowing my successor, I decided to
compete for the title of Miss Teen North Dakota International 2008. I
received First Runner-Up and won the Fun Fashion category. I look forward
to the many opportunities future pageants may bring to my life.
Lastly, what have you been up to since your reign as Miss ND Teen USA
ended?
The fall of 2007, I entered college at North Dakota State University.
There I was involved in Cheerleading, am currently a member of Concert
Choir, and am a Marketing major with a minor in Vocal Performance. I’ve
continued to perform locally. And finally, I am a dancer for the inaugural
season for the Fargo Force, a USHL hockey team.