Corrie Hill has a very busy schedule, but she graciously agreed to an interview. Here are the questions I posed and the answers she provided:
J. Hedding : What made you get involved in pageants and what previous competitions did you participate in, if any?
Corrie Hill, Miss Arizona 2003 : I actually first became involved in pageants at the age of 16 when I was approached by a family friend to compete in the Miss Bristol Homecoming Queen Pageant (a very small fair pageant). The director needed one more girl from the Bristol town limits to participate or the pageant would be cancelled. My mother told the director, "Corrie's not pageant material." Well, I'm German and have definitely inherited the stubborn trait. I decided to compete, despite the fact that I was a skinny, awkward, rather unattractive teen age girl. Friends, teachers, coaches laughed at me. I ended up winning the title, and I got the 'pageant bug'. Here is the condensed version of my previous competitions:
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Miss Bristol Homecoming Queen 1995 (won)
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Miss Indiana National Teen-Ager 1995 (won)
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Miss Indiana Teen USA (Top 10)
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Miss Metro Phoenix 1999 (won)
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Miss Arizona 1999 (non-finalist)
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Miss Mesa 2000 (won)
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Miss Arizona 2000 (1 st Runner Up)
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Miss Southeast Arizona 2001 (won)
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Miss Arizona 2001 (Top 10)
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Miss Valley of the Sun 2002 (won)
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Miss Arizona 2002 (2 nd Runner Up)
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Miss Mesa 2003 (won)
J. Hedding : What is your platform and why did you pick it?
Corrie Hill, Miss Arizona 2003 : My platform is Domestic Violence: Prevention, Awareness & Youth Education . I chose my platform because domestic violence has affected my family. My mother grew up in a home where domestic violence occurred. I learned of domestic violence through my mother's stories, and I feel it's important to educate the community on domestic violence. Domestic violence is a tragedy that strives on silence.
J. Hedding : What was in your thoughts as they announced the first runner up and you knew you had won the title of Miss Arizona?
Corrie Hill, Miss Arizona 2003 : To be honest I never heard my name called as the new Miss Arizona. My whole body was in shock; my body wouldn't stop shaking. Two contestants had to grab my shoulders to help steady me as Laura crowned me, and that's when reality hit me. As I was whisked off the stage, I realized how bad my abs hurt and that I must have been clenching them to help my balance. I think it took at least 24 hours to really soak in that I was the new Miss Arizona.
J. Hedding : How will you prepare for the Miss America Pageant?
Corrie Hill, Miss Arizona 2003 : I will be doing a bit of everything – talent rehearsals, interview preparation, gym time, shopping, reading the news, etc. You only get one chance to compete at Miss America, and I want to walk onto that stage knowing I haven't left one rock unturned in my preparations.
J. Hedding : What is the thing that makes you the most nervous about competing for the Miss America crown?
Corrie Hill, Miss Arizona 2003 : Just one thing!?! If I have to choose one thing it's probably tripping and falling on my face on national TV!
Oh, I know that won't happen, Corrie. Thanks for letting us get to know you a little better. We'll all be cheering for you in September!
