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In the Spotlight: Catherine Hecker of US Beauties |
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A former Mrs. U.S. Beauties titleholder, Catherine Hecker now serves as the Executive Director of a thriving national pageant system.  We caught up with this busy mother of two, and, reminiscent of her competition days, asked her to participate in an interview with us!
PageantPeople.com is proud to present our In the Spotlight Interview with Catherine Hecker of the U.S. Beauties Pageant System …
PP: Tell us, how did you first get involved with the U.S. Beauties Pageant System and ultimately become its Executive Director?
Catherine Hecker: I first became involved with the U.S. Beauties system in 2003 as a state queen. That year I competed and placed 1st runner up! I was thrilled with my placing! And so I came back for another year. In 2004 I was crowned Mrs. U.S. Beauties. I knew that a dream had come true! From there, after passing on my title, I became a staff member by first becoming a Media Spokesperson for the system. And then earlier this year Diane offered me a great opportunity to become the Executive Director and to help with the planning for our 2009 national pageant.
PP: Has becoming a national pageant director changed your overall view of beauty pageants, and if so, in what way?
Catherine Hecker: Yes, they have changed my idea. I know how much work really does go into these pageants. There are countless hours of thought, preparation and work that go into those three days of our national pageant. Now I really do appreciate what ALL pageant directors do for their queens to ensure a good time. And as a contestant, I now do all that I can to make things run smoothly for the director, because I understand how much it makes life easier for them.
PP: What was your favorite category of competition when you were a pageant contestant, and why?
Catherine Hecker: Interview! I know that it is a scary area of competition, but it can be the most fun! It is one of the few times in our lives that we get to "brag" about our accomplishments as women!
PP: As a director, what impresses you the most about today’s pageant contestants?
Catherine Hecker: How well they are able to multi-task! These ladies have families, careers, schooling, volunteer work, and they do it all with grace and charm! I am proud to be working with such amazing ladies! The world could use more of them.
PP: What is the one best piece of advice you would give to aspiring beauty queens?
Catherine Hecker: Pageants are all about finding out who you are, and presenting that. As you are preparing for the pageant, take a step back to find out who you are, what you believe in and stand for. If you know that, then everything else will fall into place.
PP: Most pageant people have a personal platform, even the ones who aren’t competing. Do you have a platform? And if so, tell us about it.
Catherine Hecker: Yes, I do. I work with Forgotten Soldiers Outreach Program; this is a program that sends care packages around the world to men and women who are serving in our military! It is a place where you can send e-mail, send letters, care package items, or even help donate money for the shipping of these items. It is a place where anyone at any time can help show their support of our troops, regardless of political views. F.S.O. is all about raising the morale of our troops and to brighten their days while they are so far away from home. For more information about them visit http://www.forgottensoldiers.org/
PP: What has been the most memorable experience for you as the Executive Director of U.S. Beauties?
Catherine Hecker: I have become great friends with the fellow members of my staff! We now have not only the national pageant staff, but also wonderful state directors, ladies from all across the country who love pageantry. It is great to hear their stories of success. They are each doing a wonderful job, and I feel very proud and honored to work with them. I love them all.
PP: Tell us about your current or upcoming projects.
Catherine Hecker: We have just set the dates for our national pageant: July 10-12, 2009, in Illinois. The areas of competition are: Interview, High Fashion Wear, and Evening Gown. We are also holding state pageants in Idaho, Utah, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Kentucky, Tennessee, North Carolina, and Florida.
Catherine Hecker was the 2004-2005 Mrs. U.S. Beauties National Queen. She currently lives in California with her husband Travis, daughter Cora, and her two puppies – Bronx and Brooklyn. Along with her title, Catherine has a Bachelors of Art degree from Utah Valley University, majoring in Integrated Studies with an emphasis on Business Leadership and American Sign Language. Catherine is currently serving on the National Board of Directors for the Forgotten Soldiers, Inc. a non-profit program aimed at providing care packages and encouragement to the men and women serving our country overseas.
For more information, please visit the US Beauties Pageant on the web at: www.usbeautiespageant.com or www.myspace.com/usbeautiespageant
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