Meet Miss All American City, Meggie Wittman

Meggie has been competing in pageants since starting in the National American Miss circuit at 13. After 4 years and reaching Nationals twice she took a break and came back to start competing in the Miss Ohio/Miss America circuit. We were so excited that not only did she want to talk to us, but gave us a full interview!

What’s your favorite thing about pageants? Why? "My favorite thing about pageants is doing appearances. While the competition part of pageants is a lot of fun and it's what most people think of when the think of pageants, I like doing the job of a titleholder. My platform is the Make-A-Wish Foundation and I do a lot of work with them. Whether I'm at the Walk for Wishes, the Celebrity Wish Gala, the Wishbowl, or meeting with my wish kids as a wish granter, I am constantly impressed by the young children who are so positive even in the face of life-threatening medical conditions. It makes whatever troubles we have in our lives seem insignificant and petty. I love the people I'm able to meet and spend time with through pageants and especially through my platform."

How did you feel when you won?

"When I won my first pageant, Miss Cuyahoga County 2009-2010, I was absolutely thrilled. I felt very confident in my preparation for the pageant but I was so excited that the judges saw that too and picked me to represent my home of Cuyahoga County on the Miss Ohio stage!"

Why do you feel you were chosen over all of the other pageant participants?

"I think I was chosen over the other contestants because the judges knew that A. I wanted this job so very much and B. That I could do the job. Many girls compete with a fairytale idea of what Miss Ohio does and who Miss Ohio is, but I saw beyond the pretty hair, painted nails, awesome clothes and saw that being a local, state, or national titleholder in the Miss America system is a job. Sure, it's a really fun exciting job, but it is a job. You have to be ready to speak in public, to market yourself, to have not much free time, and to juggle all this while looking fabulous of course. I made it clear in my interview that I was ready to take on the job and go to Miss Ohio and represent my county and luckily the judges agreed."

What’s your favorite type of pageantry dress to wear?

"My favorite pageant dresses to wear are ones that are different. While I love the standard strapless, I love a dress that is just a "wow." But you also have to make sure that it doesn't take away from your own beauty. You want to wear the dress, you don't want the dress to wear you. I love simple and elegant gowns. I love illusion elements, beading, and open backs are always gorgeous."

What advice would you give a girl on picking out the right dress?

"Basically in picking out a gown it all depends on your body type and what you want to showcase. With a pageant gown you want to think of a few of your favorite aspects about your body or personality and showcase them. If you want to show a spunky side wear an all-over print (leopard is great). If you want to show off your legs go with a slit. If you love your back, show it off! Whatever you love about yourself, make sure the judges love it too by showcasing it to the best of your ability."

Meggie will be competing next in the National Sweetheart Pageant in Hoopston, Illinois a national pageant where the first runner ups from the state Miss America pageants compete. As this year’s third runner up to Miss Ohio, and with a bit of luck with timing Meggie was invited to be Ohio’s Sweetheart at the National Pageant this year. You can catch up with Meggie at her blog meggiewittman.blogspot.com or find out more about her work with Make A Wish and the Children's Miracle Network at her personal site. We hope you’ll join us in wishing her much luck!