Vanessa Johnston Interview
Miss Minnesota Teen USA 2009
Why did you decide to compete in the Miss Minnesota Teen USA pageant?
I actually received a card in the mail for my state pageant. I had never really known anything about pageants except for the facts about the pageant world from Miss Congeniality (like more of common society). But it was so intriguing, the process, I decided that I would do the state pageant! I figured I had nothing to lose, I'd walk away with something! Whether it was practice with stage presence, the title, or just a fun experience. I have learned a lot in process, many essential life skills that are needed to be successful. Confidence, there aren't many things you can do that will give you more of that in two days!
What was going through your head when you realized you were the winner of the Miss Minnesota Teen USA pageant?
Excitement. Anticipation. Curiosity.
What do you think your duties are as Miss Minnesota Teen USA?
Well, I do believe that our duties are based on a personal level, not like a scripted "this is who she is, this is what she will do". More or less, I act on my duties, that I have earned the right to act on. I believe these validations come from experience and passion in that field. For me, it includes trying to pursue people to think in a more individual light. Three categories that I have experienced through out my life include: drugs usage in high school, being politically aware, and sun care (laughs). That may seem sort of vague, but growing up drugs influenced me through a family member, who became mentally ill from drugs and every day life was an unwinnabe for them, where they never really had a sense of happiness, that stripped my childhood away. Seeing how it impacted my family, I swore I would never do any drugs, for myself, and for my children. An ongoing issue relating to this is, are that many women, especially young women, will submerse themselves in drug abuse to try to please people. Whether it's to impress a boy, or it's to fit in with there friends, some they've had their whole life that just started getting active. People tell us just go make new friends. I know that's not realistic, because by the end of high school so many people are doing it. That's why I like to speak about empowerment. Woman should be able to go into any room, and not compromise herself to her surrounding areas. I have gone through out high school, and not tried alcohol, or any other form of drug. I didn't hide in a room, I went out, socialized, and found myself in compromising situations that most people would have compromised themselves, but I didn't. In the end, you’re happier because it means you’re strong. This also with a thin thread applies to sun care, sort of a tangent but because I am very pale and lots of people tell me to tan, which I've done the whole spray thing, but I have learned to appreciate my skin color, and now I am in love with it (go figure since it seems like all girls do now it tan). Plus 95% of winkles come from the sun, why do you think around 75% of cosmetic surgery is trying to reverse sun damage! In regards to being politically aware, we need to know what is going on in society to be successful, enriching citizens, this includes locally, nationally, and of a global scale.
So these are just a few examples that I have been focusing on as a title holder...
What has been the best part of being Miss MN Teen USA so far?
One of the first appearances I did was at the Mall of America. We did an appearance for the Make a Wish Foundation. Erica and I wore gowns, and we looked like princesses. It wasn't the self satisfaction in regards to looking like a princess. It was the girls who were terminally ill, who if they had one wish, they would want to meet a princess. The excitement on a child's face is so pure, and amazing, it overwhelmed me. Many of these kids go through chemotherapy every week; some have even been told they have a limited time to live. Being able to talk to those children, and actually give them a sense of warmth during that time in their life, was undoubtedly the best of being a title holder so far.
What would a typical day as Miss MN Teen USA be like?
It's not that different from yours, I still have the basic routine; I just wear a banner sometimes.
How will you preparing for the upcoming Miss Teen USA pageant?
I feel prepared, I obviously need to fine tune things such as walking, fitness, and interview. However, I had sort of a realization about the national pageant. I always believe that you should do 110%, and because of this, I would research for hours, think and analyze about what dress the judges would like, what tanner should I use, how I can tweak myself that I am more likely to win. Sometimes this included compromising what I liked, such as clothing. I had so many people telling me to do this; you need to do that to win. I even had people telling me not to sound to smart! I became so discombobbled that it wasn't fun anymore. And I (with a little help) figured out why! Because one, you don't know what the judges want. Second, it's possible that you try to change yourself to what you think they want, and if you would have been you, that’s what the might have wanted. We have a basic guideline, but the fine tunings? It is what is weird about us that makes us different and stand out! I remember talking to Erica (Miss Minnesota USA) about modeling. And she told me, "The thing you hate most about yourself, will probably be an industry (someone that hires you for work) there favorite thing about you, and why you book work". How cool is that!?!? It completely changed my view of beauty. Every girl has there own unique look, and I honestly appreciate that. So that is what I am doing, I'm taking everything unique about me, and making sure the judges will know about it before I leave.
I guess what I am saying is, and I hope that all the girls that read this and compete for a pageant, or anything in there life focus on the things that make you unique, and that define you. Love it, embrace, and show it!!!
I actually received a card in the mail for my state pageant. I had never really known anything about pageants except for the facts about the pageant world from Miss Congeniality (like more of common society). But it was so intriguing, the process, I decided that I would do the state pageant! I figured I had nothing to lose, I'd walk away with something! Whether it was practice with stage presence, the title, or just a fun experience. I have learned a lot in process, many essential life skills that are needed to be successful. Confidence, there aren't many things you can do that will give you more of that in two days!
What was going through your head when you realized you were the winner of the Miss Minnesota Teen USA pageant?
Excitement. Anticipation. Curiosity.
What do you think your duties are as Miss Minnesota Teen USA?
Well, I do believe that our duties are based on a personal level, not like a scripted "this is who she is, this is what she will do". More or less, I act on my duties, that I have earned the right to act on. I believe these validations come from experience and passion in that field. For me, it includes trying to pursue people to think in a more individual light. Three categories that I have experienced through out my life include: drugs usage in high school, being politically aware, and sun care (laughs). That may seem sort of vague, but growing up drugs influenced me through a family member, who became mentally ill from drugs and every day life was an unwinnabe for them, where they never really had a sense of happiness, that stripped my childhood away. Seeing how it impacted my family, I swore I would never do any drugs, for myself, and for my children. An ongoing issue relating to this is, are that many women, especially young women, will submerse themselves in drug abuse to try to please people. Whether it's to impress a boy, or it's to fit in with there friends, some they've had their whole life that just started getting active. People tell us just go make new friends. I know that's not realistic, because by the end of high school so many people are doing it. That's why I like to speak about empowerment. Woman should be able to go into any room, and not compromise herself to her surrounding areas. I have gone through out high school, and not tried alcohol, or any other form of drug. I didn't hide in a room, I went out, socialized, and found myself in compromising situations that most people would have compromised themselves, but I didn't. In the end, you’re happier because it means you’re strong. This also with a thin thread applies to sun care, sort of a tangent but because I am very pale and lots of people tell me to tan, which I've done the whole spray thing, but I have learned to appreciate my skin color, and now I am in love with it (go figure since it seems like all girls do now it tan). Plus 95% of winkles come from the sun, why do you think around 75% of cosmetic surgery is trying to reverse sun damage! In regards to being politically aware, we need to know what is going on in society to be successful, enriching citizens, this includes locally, nationally, and of a global scale.
So these are just a few examples that I have been focusing on as a title holder...
What has been the best part of being Miss MN Teen USA so far?
One of the first appearances I did was at the Mall of America. We did an appearance for the Make a Wish Foundation. Erica and I wore gowns, and we looked like princesses. It wasn't the self satisfaction in regards to looking like a princess. It was the girls who were terminally ill, who if they had one wish, they would want to meet a princess. The excitement on a child's face is so pure, and amazing, it overwhelmed me. Many of these kids go through chemotherapy every week; some have even been told they have a limited time to live. Being able to talk to those children, and actually give them a sense of warmth during that time in their life, was undoubtedly the best of being a title holder so far.
What would a typical day as Miss MN Teen USA be like?
It's not that different from yours, I still have the basic routine; I just wear a banner sometimes.
How will you preparing for the upcoming Miss Teen USA pageant?
I feel prepared, I obviously need to fine tune things such as walking, fitness, and interview. However, I had sort of a realization about the national pageant. I always believe that you should do 110%, and because of this, I would research for hours, think and analyze about what dress the judges would like, what tanner should I use, how I can tweak myself that I am more likely to win. Sometimes this included compromising what I liked, such as clothing. I had so many people telling me to do this; you need to do that to win. I even had people telling me not to sound to smart! I became so discombobbled that it wasn't fun anymore. And I (with a little help) figured out why! Because one, you don't know what the judges want. Second, it's possible that you try to change yourself to what you think they want, and if you would have been you, that’s what the might have wanted. We have a basic guideline, but the fine tunings? It is what is weird about us that makes us different and stand out! I remember talking to Erica (Miss Minnesota USA) about modeling. And she told me, "The thing you hate most about yourself, will probably be an industry (someone that hires you for work) there favorite thing about you, and why you book work". How cool is that!?!? It completely changed my view of beauty. Every girl has there own unique look, and I honestly appreciate that. So that is what I am doing, I'm taking everything unique about me, and making sure the judges will know about it before I leave.
I guess what I am saying is, and I hope that all the girls that read this and compete for a pageant, or anything in there life focus on the things that make you unique, and that define you. Love it, embrace, and show it!!!