My Miss America Experience

 By Mandi Genord

[On Instagram, I asked what questions people would ask a Miss America candidate. Several wonderful questions were submitted. Mandi Genord, Miss Wisconsin 2024, was kind enough to take a crack at answering them for us. This is her first of three posts on this topic. -S36F]

Did you have a favorite fan/friend/family encounter of the week?

After the Miss America Finals, the contestants and I were heading to the bus for visitation. When we got outside, Abby Lee Miller was waiting for us, taking photos with all the girls! She had wanted to attend the show, but there were no tickets left, so she waited until it was over to meet us.

How did you select your gown?

My evening gown was a custom design by Jovani Fashions, partially sponsored by Dressed in Time in Brookfield, WI. During my Miss America headshots, the photographer dressed me in a black velvet gown with white puffs. What I loved about the dress was how it drew attention to my face, while also being something unique for the Miss America stage. This dress ultimately became the inspiration for my Miss America gown!

When did it first “hit” you that you were competing at Miss America?

I don’t know if it has yet, and I’m not sure it ever will! I remember watching videos of myself on the Miss America stage after prelims and finals, and it felt so surreal. While I know I competed at Miss America, it never felt like I was actually at a competition while I was there. Like many women who have walked the Miss America stage, I grew up watching the competition on TV every year. So, when I think of Miss America, I think of women like Laura Kaeppeler, Betty Maxwell, Savvy Shields, and others. It’s hard to believe I now share that experience with them, but maybe one day it will truly sink in!

What were some of your favorite activities with the other candidates?

I’m a huge Harry Potter nerd, so the day we went to Universal Studios Islands of Adventure was honestly one of the best days of my life! It wasn’t ideal that we got rained on, but I’m such a visual person that just walking around the park was enough for me! I also really enjoyed going to hair and makeup and sitting in the room with the other contestants. It was nice to have some normal conversations and talk about the differences between our state competitions and what each of our states is known for!

-------------------------

Mandi Genord is the current Miss Wisconsin. You can find her on her title's Instagram and/or her personal Instagram. 

This is her first blog for Section 36 Forevers.