Aleksandra Derikonja, senior economics major, was the first runner-up in the Miss United States Pageant in Las Vegas last July. Aleksandra’s platform was the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. The Free Press recently sat down with Aleksandra to ask her about her experience. The Free Press previously profiled Aleksandra for the May 3 issue last year.
FP: What was your favorite part of the pageant?
AD: All of the other girls at the pageant. What I expected is not what happened. It’s a competition and girls can get a little catty. They were actually very sincere and kind.
FP: What was your least favorite part?
AD: Waking up really early in the morning. One day we had a swimsuit photo shoot at 6:45 a.m. I had to get up at 4:20 a.m.
FP: What did you do to prepare for the national pageant?
AD: You work so hard for a few months after you’re crowned [at the state level]. I had a personal trainer and was at the gym here at USM for five hours every day. Also there was a lot of interview coaching and it took a lot of time to complete the competition wardrobe. It gets really, really hectic in those three months. And then that one week is what it all boils down to. The one week is a result of all the preparation.
FP: What were your expectations going into the pageant?
AD: I didn’t really have an expectation. In the pageant world, you really don’t know what will happen. You don’t know what the other girls have to offer or what the judges are looking for, so all you can do is prepare the best you can and give it 100 percent. The fact that I did place so high was just icing on the cake. I enjoyed it very much. I wish I could go back again.
FP: How were you feeling on the final night?
AD: I was very nervous. I didn’t know what question they were gonna ask. I was hoping I would make it to the top six, but at the same time I was praying to God that I didn’t because I would have had to answer a question on stage.
FP: Did you say anything to Miss Georgia, Jessica Black, after she won the Miss United States Pageant?
AD: I told her I was so proud to be her runner-up. She’s an all around amazing woman. She deserved it.
FP: Do you have any plans to go back to next year?
AD: I might go back next year for my successor. I will pass down all the knowledge I gained from my experience and help her as much as I can to help her place better than I did. And help bring the national crown home to Maine for the first time in history.
FP: What are your plans for the future?
AD: I can do another pageant system, but for now I will help coach other girls who are interested in competing. Now I’m focusing on school, but maybe down the road I’ll have the honor of representing Maine again.
FP: What else do you hope to do as the Miss Maine United States crown holder?
AD: Even though I didn’t win the national title, I’m still very fortunate to be Miss Maine for another six months. I hope to make as many appearances and positively influence our community as much as I can.
FP: Is there anything else you want to add?
AD: If it wasn’t for my amazing support I couldn’t have done any of it. My mom of course; my directors; my personal trainer; my very own personal designer who helped me complete my wardrobe for Vegas; my generous sponsors who supported my dream; and especially all of my fans back home who were so proud to have me represent them in the world. This has been life changing and I sure will be sad when my reign is over. But this doesn’t mean that the opportunities will stop. I am looking forward to the new chapter of my life and to see how my story will unfold.