Miss Illinois United States and Ms. Indiana United States Use Their Reigns to Inspire Young Girls

Lee Edwards | As of Thursday, February 12, 2015

L-R Ms. Indiana United States 2014 Jade Netwon and Miss Illinois United States 2014 Brittany Middlebrooks.
L-R Ms. Indiana United States 2014 Jade Netwon and Miss Illinois United States 2014 Brittany Middlebrooks.

Brittany Middlebrooks, reigning Miss Illinois United States 2014 and Jade Newton, the reigning Ms. Indiana United States 2014, fully understand their community roles as positive role models.

Both young ladies, competed successfully on the state levels of the Miss United States Organization (MUSO) pageant, which was founded in 1937. The pageant allows young women an opportunity to promote a platform of personal community service according to its mission statement.

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L-R Ms. Indiana United States 2014 Jade Netwon and Miss Illinois United States 2014 Brittany Middlebrooks are late bloomers in terms of when they began their pageant careers but have found success in their efforts nonetheless.

In becoming Miss Illinois United States, Middlebrooks won the third pageant she has ever competed in.

“I think pageants are for everyone but at the same time no hobby, sport or activity is for everyone,” said Middlebrooks. “If you’re enjoying it, feel comfortable doing it and can contribute to that sport, organization, whatever it is then I fully support you.”

Newton has won three out of the five pageants she has competed in, with Ms. Indiana United States being her latest conquest.

“I think our teenage girls are at vulnerable age and they’re easily influenced and they need more positive role models,” said Newton. “They need role models closer to their age.”

Both of their reigns will end in March.

Composed of two divisions, MUSO's ’s Miss Division, showcase contestants who are ages 20-29, while the Ms. Division is open to those who are between the ages of 25-39.

Middlebrooks began competing in organized pageants at the age of 19, Newton at 23. Both were considered “old” when they began their pageant careers, yet, both found success and cite their friends, who were also pageant titleholders at the time, as inspiration.

Middlebrooks told the Chicago Citizen Newspaper that when she speaks to young women, she usually finds herself addressing what it is like to be an African American reigning pageant queen and believes that her title allows her to be an excellent role model for African American teens.

Middlebrooks who has a bachelor’s degree from DePaul in Public Relations, coordinates, organizes, and schedules all of her public appearances as Miss Illinois United States and shared that one of her proudest moments was when she organized 60 cupcakes with five different flavors from Sprinkles Cupcakes be delivered to the Ronald McDonald House of Chicago for a Pageant Night.

Meanwhile, Newton regularly speaks to young women between the ages of 14-18 about positive self-images and healthy living. And although she was volunteering within her community prior to becoming a pageant queen, by winning, Newton said she is now able to leverage her crown as a means to expand her community outreach.

As their reigns come to a close, Middlebrooks and Newton plan to stay busy.

Middlebrooks plans to take a trip to Springfield to speak with Illinois lawmakers concerning healthcare and Newton plans to continue working on her platform of helping young women with their self-image and good health.

“Your reign is what you make it, you have an opportunity to go out there and do some good things,” said Newton who describes passing on her crown to the next titleholder as “bittersweet”. “Make it your own.”

“I think it’s best for girls to know who they are as people and what they stand for and what they believe in and expand their confidence and know why you’re competing,” said Middlebrooks.

To learn more about becoming Miss Illinois United States visit http://www.missillinoisus.com/. To learn more about becoming Ms. Indiana United States visit http://www.missindianaus.com/#!miss/c1igj.

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