Here She Is

From the Miss America stage to the Marvel Universe, Hazel Avivah has built a career she never even knew existed. After winning Miss Wyoming 2022 on her first attempt, Hazel arrived at Miss America with little financial or organizational support and a serious case of imposter syndrome. But those challenges taught her something far more valuable than how to compete: how to advocate for herself and r...

Kathleen Farrell Nies made Miss America history as the third sister in her family to compete on the national stage. After serving as Miss Illinois 1992, she crossed over to the Miss USA system and placed seventh at Miss USA. And then she essentially put the crowns away. Kathleen moved to Europe, married, raised eight children and spent decades building a life far removed from pageants. Her own chi...

More than 20 years ago, Casey Hollins and Sarah Werner each served as Miss Louisa County, competing in the Miss Virginia organization. Although neither woman went on to become Miss Virginia, life eventually took them in very different directions that eventually led them right back to the Miss Louisa County stage. In this episode, Sarah and Casey join us together to talk about what happened next: c...

Morgan Holen Verner quite literally grew up in the Miss America Organization. The daughter of Miss Nebraska 1988, Morgan went on to become Miss Nebraska’s Teen 2014 and Miss Nebraska 2021, competing at the historic 100th anniversary Miss America competition. But Morgan’s story may be an even better example of what happened after the crown. From becoming a Gallup-certified strengths coach and leadi...

One year. More than thirty incredible women. Countless lessons. In this special anniversary episode, Jaime and Karissa look back on the first year of Here She Is and revisit the stories that moved them most. From reinvention and career changes to motherhood, grief, health challenges, friendship and finding purpose after the crown, they reflect on the moments that made them laugh, cry and think dif...

This week, we’re catching a Miss America journey while it is still unfolding. Miss Maryland 2026 Gianna Romero joins us just weeks before representing her state on the Miss America stage. She shares how she discovered the organization, the lessons she has already learned through competition, and the mindset helping her prepare for one of the biggest moments of her life. Gianna also opens up about...

What if the greatest gift of the Miss America Organization isn't the crown—but the woman you become? In this episode, we sit down with former Miss Jefferson County Lesley Lopez , whose life has been shaped by music, service, entrepreneurship, and family. From teaching music and building successful businesses to navigating the unimaginable loss of her son, Kennedy, Lesley shares how purpose and...

Before millions watched her on American Idol , Rae Boyd was learning confidence, interview skills, and stage presence through the Miss America Organization in Maryland. In this episode, Rae shares the unexpected path that led her from local pageants to becoming a Top 11 finalist on one of television’s biggest stages. She opens up about overcoming self-doubt, navigating online criticism, the life-c...

Jennifer Pitts, Miss Virginia 2002, joins us with her daughters Kady and Kenley McKenna as they prepare to compete for Miss Florida’s Teen. Together, they share what it’s like to experience the Miss America organization across generations, from Jennifer’s year of service and legal career to Kady’s environmental advocacy and Kenley’s work supporting children with dyslexia. This conversation is abou...

This week is a PODCAST TAKEOVER! We are excited feature former Miss DC, Allyn Rose's podcast, Learned Too Late. In this episode, Pooja Himovich, founder of Makiaj Beauty Light, talks about her journey into the world of beauty and makeup and how it led to her creating her own product and brand. We will be back again in two weeks - see you then! Make sure to subscribe to Learned Too Late and giv...

What happens when a lifelong dream becomes part of your family legacy? In this special mother-daughter episode of Here She Is , Karissa and Jaime sit down with former Miss Texas Arian Orlando and her daughter, current Miss Texas Sadie Schiermeyer, the first daughter of a former Miss Texas to also wear the crown. From Arian’s whirlwind year as Miss Texas 1994 to Sadie’s journey to first runner-up a...

Nicole Nigg Philbrick, Miss South Dakota 2000, joins Here She Is to share how one final try changed the direction of her life. From entering pageants as a way to perform, to winning every phase of competition, to building a career beyond musical theatre, Nicole reflects on timing, service, motherhood, and why the lessons of Miss America continue through her daughter’s journey today. Find Nicole on...

Nicole Messina, Miss District of Columbia 1998, shares a candid look at the road from pageants to motherhood, marriage, divorce, and finding her way back to dance. After competing in New Jersey, Maryland, and DC, Nicole finally made it to the Miss America stage. Even though her year did not unfold the exactly way she hoped, she learned how to create her own path. In this episode, she opens up abou...

Some journeys don’t follow a straight line—and some of the most powerful ones are built in the space between. In this episode, we sit down with Sonia Amir Bowie, Miss Maryland 2000 , who made history as the first South Asian and Latina woman to hold the title. But beyond the crown, Sonia shares a deeply personal story of navigating identity, overcoming adversity, and finding purpose through servic...

Amanda Kuhl, Miss Delaware 2016, shares a journey that goes far beyond the crown. In this episode, she talks about winning on her final year of eligibility, learning to compete as her authentic self, and how life after pageants led her into nonprofit work, motherhood, and a completely unexpected battle with stage 3 breast cancer at age 30. This is a conversation about resilience, identity, survivo...

Miss Pennsylvania 1997, Heather Busin Arnold shares a story shaped by faith, unexpected opportunities, and the quiet courage to choose the life she truly wanted. From a whirlwind journey to Miss America to marriage, motherhood, entrepreneurship, and a new creative chapter, Heather opens up about identity, connection, and what it means to know you are enough. This episode is a powerful reminder tha...

This week we are just chatting about all our favorite things! We are working hard to get new interviews lined up, and will be switching to a bi-weekly format for a while. If you know of a former Miss America stakeholder who would be a great guest on our show, please reach out to us on Instagram @heresheispodcast We hope you enjoy learning about all our favorite things this week! We will see you ne...

This week is a special guest-feature episode from She Wins, where Here She Is hosts Jaime Fox Hardwick and Karissa Horowicz hop to the other side of the mic with Heather Sumlin of She Wins Podcast. We talk sisterhood, pivots, redefining “winning,” and the life lessons the Miss America system sparked, plus the real stories that led to Here She Is becoming what it is today. Big thanks to Heather for...

Tara Wheeler, Miss Virginia 2008, went from not placing in her very first pageant to standing on the Miss America stage just a few years later. In this episode, Tara shares how breaking stereotypes shaped her journey. From ice hockey goalie to news anchor, from freelance reporter to primetime host, and now to military spouse, dance fitness instructor, and nonprofit leader - Tara has found her way...

She was Miss Maryland 1988, a baton-twirling powerhouse who brought unmatched preparation to the stage and earned a spot at Miss America. But Lori Windsor Hunt’s story didn’t end with a crown. In this episode, Lori shares how fierce ambition gave way to unexpected pivots- from earning her master’s degree and planning for a CEO role, to becoming a stay-at-home mom of twins and leading a thriving co...

It started with a local crown and a big dream, and led to a lifelong career. In this episode of Here She Is , we talk with Dianah Gibson, Miss Washington County 1988, whose pageant journey became the unexpected launchpad for a decades‑long career in broadcast journalism. What started as a way to earn scholarship money turned into her first radio job and eventually into becoming a trusted voice on...

At just 17 years old, Alison Catherine White became one of the youngest women ever crowned Miss Delaware. She went on to win the Bert Parks Talent Award at Miss America and perform at the Kennedy Center, but her journey didn’t end there. In this episode, Alison shares how she built a career in marketing and events with powerhouses like Madison Square Garden, Disney, and Saks Global, while staying...

Kathleen Hebert was crowned Miss Vermont 1972—but her pageant story wasn’t the typical fairytale. After placing first runner-up the year before, Kathleen returned determined to stop performing for approval and start living in truth. What happened next earned her national attention as what she calls “the first radical queen.” In this episode, Kathleen shares how refusing to be scripted changed ever...

Caroline Weinroth, Miss Roanoke Valley 2019, joins us to talk about using the Miss America stage to launch a career in indie music, arts education, and punk-pop performance. As the frontwoman of the band Cinema Hearts, Caroline shares how she blended talent with advocacy, played over 500 shows (including opening for Hozier!), and turned her pageant experience into a platform for empowering girls i...

As we bring 2025 to a close, we want to wish our listeners a very happy holiday! Karissa and Jaime share a brief message and a little holiday surprise... an original holiday song written and performed by Jaime! We hope you will come back on January 7th as we kick off the new year with another great interview! Add Jaime's song to your holiday playlist: Apple https://music.apple.com/us/album/eve...