Beauty Queen Spotlight: Find Out More About Jennifer Wilde

Jennifer Wilde is currently the reigning Ms. US World NOWSA Ambassador. She has been a nurse for more than 10 years and she loves helping others. Pageantry helps her stay active and involved in my community. She started competing in pageants just last year when she first heard about this opportunity from her friend and Ms. US World Ambassador, Qiana Carpenter. She thought it would be great to be a part of a pageant as she never actually imagined a curvy girl could enter pageants. Since becoming active in the Ms. US World Organization as Ms. Grand Canyon State, she has attended events for MS, Alzheimer’s, Medical Missions, Down Syndrome, Autism, and the NOH8 organization. She has also volunteered her time at a local food bank and gone to Senior Centers. She feels that as a nurse, she needs to be out in the community and serving others.

Her current title – Ms. US World NOWSA Ambassador. NOWSA is based on a non-profit organization that was initiated by Lidia Szczepanowski in 2007 to help women who were a victim of domestic violence and sexual assault. The mission of this organization is to raise awareness about sexual assault, violence, and harassment against women and teens so they can prevent it from happening. NOWSA also ensures that the victims of sexual assault, violence, and abuse have a voice. As a nurse and someone who has experienced violent relationships, Jennifer felt it was her calling to get out in her community to educate, raise awareness, provide support, and advocate for others.

GEQ magazine recently caught up with Jennifer to discuss her journey in the pageant world and here’s what went down:

How did you get into the pageant industry?

I got into the pageant industry through a friend and sister queen.

How were you actually ‘discovered’?

I was interviewed by the director of the organization – she felt that I fit the mission of the organization and that I would make a great addition.

What do you like most about being a beauty queen?

What I like most is that it pushes me to be my best self. It has helped me do the very thing I’ve always wanted to do, which is getting out in the community and helping others. As a nurse, I feel that is very important.

The downside to being a beauty queen?

Well, I don’t know if there really is a downside to being a beauty queen as everything I do is a way to better myself and help others along the way.

What has been the most memorable experience of being in the pageant industry so far?

I would have to say going to a senior living center and handing out roses to the residents and staff was one of my favorites. So many smiles were created that day which brought joy to my heart.

Who have been the most interesting people you’ve met so far?

Nancy-Ellen Martin, my pageant director would be the most interesting and favorite person I’ve met so far. She has helped me transform from a caterpillar to a butterfly and I am grateful to her for that.

What has been the most valuable lesson you’ve learned while in the pageant industry. This can be about the industry or yourself.

I have learned lots of things; one of them being pageants are more than just getting all “dolled up”. They are about confidence, grace, self-improvement, and sisterhood. But it also taught me more about believing in myself and boosting my confidence. And from my whole experience, I have finally been able to do what I’ve always wanted to do and that is getting out in the community more and helping others.

Working in an industry whose only emphasis is on the outside characteristics of a person, how have you stayed grounded?

There is a difference with the Ms. Universal World Organization as they believe so much more than just looks and outside beauty. They believe in inner beauty and encourage all women to show both inside and outside beauty. My husband has also been my support and person that keeps me grounded.

Is your family supportive of you being in the pageant industry?

Overall, my family is very supportive and they have fun watching me out in the community helping others. In fact, I have motivated my family and now they are becoming more active in the community as well. This has made my experience even more rewarding.

What are your future plans? Inside pageantry or out of it.

My future plans include continuing to compete in pageants and continuing to help my community. I have plans of competing next year in Australia for an International title. I also am working on my Master’s in Nursing Education and I plan to continue growing both mentally and spiritually. Pageantry holds a special place in my heart as it gave me hope and happiness during a time of sadness. So I have come to love what being a part of a pageant can offer. I plan on sharing my love for pageants with my friends in hopes that they too, will find the same joy that I have found.

The ‘LIGHTNING FAST’ Round:

1. Last good movie I’ve seen: The Old Guard on Netflix

2. What do you consider beautiful and why? The first thing that comes to mind is sunflowers. They are just a beautiful and happy flower. Every time I look at them, they just make me smile. I would also like to add Corgis. I currently have a Corgi and she is just a pure bundle of energy and happiness. Always knows how to turn a bad day to a great day.

3. What haven’t you done yet that you wish you could? Sky Diving

4. Complete this sentence: “If I had no fear, I’d…” Try acting and modeling

5. What is the one “flaw” you wouldn’t change about yourself? Wearing my heart on my sleeve.