I am very excited to feature Danielle this year for the 2018 state pageant season! Danielle is a seasoned pageant competitior, competing twice for the Miss Texas USA title and 5 times for the title of Miss Houston USA!
How many pageants have you previously competed in? (Please include which system and your placement)
The first pageant I ever competed in was Miss Pasadena Rodeo in 2011. I placed first runner up in the teen division. I came back the following year and won the Miss division. That same year I won Miss Pasadena Strawberry Festival. It wasn’t until my freshman year of college did I start competing in the USA system. I’ve since competed in Miss Houston 5 times, placing in the top 15 once and the top 5 twice, and Miss Texas twice, placing in the top 15 one time.
What made you decide to compete in Miss [insert state] USA 2018?
I’ve competed before and after taking a year off, I honestly missed it. Miss Texas USA pageant weekend is so much fun!
Outside of competing in pageants, what do you like to do for fun?
I enjoy painting, reading, sewing, knitting… really anything to keep my hands and mind busy. I’m also attempting to teach myself how to play the piano. I recently took a surfing lesson in Hawaii and I AM HOOKED! Surfing is so much fun!! I have a heart for traveling. Paris, Germany, Phuket, Shanghai, Finland, Hong Kong, South Africa, and Australia are on my future destination list!
Give a brief bio about yourself. Include where you are attending school (include year and major if applicable), your future goals, etc. (Feel free to include however much or little as you like in this section)
I grew up in Deer Park, TX and was raised by my mom and my grandma. My dad left shortly after I was born. I truly believe that he didn’t know how to be a father to a son with disabilities. My mom and my grandma tried their best to not let my older brother’s disabilities affect the way I grew up, little did they know just how big of an impact he would have on the lives he touched. I started dance lessons when I was three and I started competitive cheerleading when I was in kindergarten. I won many titles in both dance and cheer that include many national championship and a World’s Championship. Despite being bullied from 1st grade until I graduated from high school, I made straight A’s and the National Honor society.
I went off to college at Texas State University ready for a fresh start. I joined a sorority and was doing well in my classes. However at the end of my freshman year things took a turn for the worst. The abusive relationship I was in consumed my life. I was living in fear while trying to study for my finals. I ended the semester with a 1.21 GPA and on academic probation for a year through my sorority. I luckily got out of that relationship and dove head first into my studies to get off of academic probation. I moved into an apartment alone and was doing well in school. I was holding officer positions in my sorority and really loving life. The fall of my Junior year everything changed. After a disastrous physics test on a Monday morning I got a knock at my door. My grandma and my uncle drove three hours to pick me up. My older brother had passed away the night before. I quickly packed a bag and hopped in the car and cried the whole way home. I also mentally checked out for the remainder of the semester. I didn’t really go to class and found every excuse not to take care of myself. A month after my brother passed away, someone who I cared for very much told me “your lack of self motivation bothers me”. That comment, as hurtful and disgusting as it is, kicked my butt into high gear. It was too late to salvage my grades (I failed 2 classes that semester and didn’t make anything higher than a C), but I was able to take control of my life again. My brother taught me patience, kindness and how to love fiercely and unconditionally. I’m a better listener and a more compassionate and giving person because of him.
I joined the Exercise and Sports Science Club and ended up graduating (a first generation college student) with a bachelor’s in Exercise and Sports Science as a member of Eta Sigma Gamma, the national honor society for Health Education. I’ve started my own business, Bronze Method, and will be attending Lamar University in the fall to get my Master’s degree.
I don’t let my past define who I am or who I am going to be. I take every circumstance and turn it into some sort of lesson. A lesson for myself and for others. No matter how big that mountain is, you will climb it and you will reach the top. You just have to keep going.
If you win your state title, what do you hope to accomplish throughout your reign?
Well the end goal is Miss Universe am I right?! Besides bringing home that 10th Miss USA title back to Texas, I really just want to show people that your past does not define you. Just because you’ve been dealt a bad hand doesn’t mean you won’t win the
What is your dream job (besides being Miss USA, of course!)?
Stay at home dog mom! (KIDDING haha) Like I stated before, I do have my own mobile tanning business. I’d love for it to take off and be very successful so I can work for myself full time.
How many pageants have you previously competed in? (Please include which system and your placement)
The first pageant I ever competed in was Miss Pasadena Rodeo in 2011. I placed first runner up in the teen division. I came back the following year and won the Miss division. That same year I won Miss Pasadena Strawberry Festival. It wasn’t until my freshman year of college did I start competing in the USA system. I’ve since competed in Miss Houston 5 times, placing in the top 15 once and the top 5 twice, and Miss Texas twice, placing in the top 15 one time.
What made you decide to compete in Miss [insert state] USA 2018?
I’ve competed before and after taking a year off, I honestly missed it. Miss Texas USA pageant weekend is so much fun!
Outside of competing in pageants, what do you like to do for fun?
I enjoy painting, reading, sewing, knitting… really anything to keep my hands and mind busy. I’m also attempting to teach myself how to play the piano. I recently took a surfing lesson in Hawaii and I AM HOOKED! Surfing is so much fun!! I have a heart for traveling. Paris, Germany, Phuket, Shanghai, Finland, Hong Kong, South Africa, and Australia are on my future destination list!
Give a brief bio about yourself. Include where you are attending school (include year and major if applicable), your future goals, etc. (Feel free to include however much or little as you like in this section)
I grew up in Deer Park, TX and was raised by my mom and my grandma. My dad left shortly after I was born. I truly believe that he didn’t know how to be a father to a son with disabilities. My mom and my grandma tried their best to not let my older brother’s disabilities affect the way I grew up, little did they know just how big of an impact he would have on the lives he touched. I started dance lessons when I was three and I started competitive cheerleading when I was in kindergarten. I won many titles in both dance and cheer that include many national championship and a World’s Championship. Despite being bullied from 1st grade until I graduated from high school, I made straight A’s and the National Honor society.
I went off to college at Texas State University ready for a fresh start. I joined a sorority and was doing well in my classes. However at the end of my freshman year things took a turn for the worst. The abusive relationship I was in consumed my life. I was living in fear while trying to study for my finals. I ended the semester with a 1.21 GPA and on academic probation for a year through my sorority. I luckily got out of that relationship and dove head first into my studies to get off of academic probation. I moved into an apartment alone and was doing well in school. I was holding officer positions in my sorority and really loving life. The fall of my Junior year everything changed. After a disastrous physics test on a Monday morning I got a knock at my door. My grandma and my uncle drove three hours to pick me up. My older brother had passed away the night before. I quickly packed a bag and hopped in the car and cried the whole way home. I also mentally checked out for the remainder of the semester. I didn’t really go to class and found every excuse not to take care of myself. A month after my brother passed away, someone who I cared for very much told me “your lack of self motivation bothers me”. That comment, as hurtful and disgusting as it is, kicked my butt into high gear. It was too late to salvage my grades (I failed 2 classes that semester and didn’t make anything higher than a C), but I was able to take control of my life again. My brother taught me patience, kindness and how to love fiercely and unconditionally. I’m a better listener and a more compassionate and giving person because of him.
I joined the Exercise and Sports Science Club and ended up graduating (a first generation college student) with a bachelor’s in Exercise and Sports Science as a member of Eta Sigma Gamma, the national honor society for Health Education. I’ve started my own business, Bronze Method, and will be attending Lamar University in the fall to get my Master’s degree.
I don’t let my past define who I am or who I am going to be. I take every circumstance and turn it into some sort of lesson. A lesson for myself and for others. No matter how big that mountain is, you will climb it and you will reach the top. You just have to keep going.
If you win your state title, what do you hope to accomplish throughout your reign?
Well the end goal is Miss Universe am I right?! Besides bringing home that 10th Miss USA title back to Texas, I really just want to show people that your past does not define you. Just because you’ve been dealt a bad hand doesn’t mean you won’t win the
What is your dream job (besides being Miss USA, of course!)?
Stay at home dog mom! (KIDDING haha) Like I stated before, I do have my own mobile tanning business. I’d love for it to take off and be very successful so I can work for myself full time.