Q+A With Elizabeth Kervin our Miss Maine USA

Q+A With Elizabeth Kervin

What inspired you to do pageants?

To be completely honest, I saw one of the Clemente Organization ads on Instagram for the Miss Maine Teen USA pageant and I decided to sign up without telling anybody at all. I had no clue how the pageant worked so I was unsure if I would be “accepted” to compete and did not want anyone to know I signed up if I couldn’t. At this time I was still recovering from hip surgery so I was unable to participate in sports anymore. This was challenging for me as I used to be a three-season athlete who loved competing and working hard towards a goal. Pageantry seemed like the perfect alternative to sports for me. With pageants, you are not competing against others which was something I came to realize very early on and that helped me get to where I am today. In pageants, you are competing against yourself. You are coming back each year stronger, more prepared, more polished, and more ready than ever to bring home the crown. When you stop comparing yourself to others you become stronger and find the unique traits that set you apart from others rather than trying to be another person.

What has been the best part of your reign as Miss Maine USA?

So far, the best part of my reign has been going to my local veteran organizations to continue the work I have been doing with them for years, but now getting to do it as Miss Maine USA. I have continued working alongside my local Veterans of Foreign War hall as well as the Maine Veterans Project. These two groups are incredibly beneficial to the lives of our Veterans here in Maine.

What are you looking forward to at Miss USA?

I am so excited to see my ladies again! I have made some amazing friends since being crowned and I cannot wait to see them all again in just three weeks at Miss USA. I am also extremely excited and grateful that I will be walking on one of the most important stages in the world representing my home, my community- Maine.

How do you mentally prepare yourself for pageants?

Mentally preparing myself changed drastically the third year that I competed and that mindset shift truly allowed me to shine brighter this year than ever before. Instead of comparing myself to the other girls, I focused on myself and what unique things I brought to the table. My best piece of advice is to be YOU. You will never be the girl standing next to you, so why try? By not worrying about other people I was able to focus more on myself and what is amazing about ME. When this mindset shift happened, I was more confident than I had ever imagined, and going into the competition I was very calm and at ease.

What is something you have struggled with?

As I mentioned, I struggled with my mindset. I always tried to be the girl next to me. When I stopped, ultimately I won… and much more than just a crown. I saw what happens when you be authentically you. I won the confidence to always be myself.

What was going through your mind when they announced you as Miss Maine USA?

I was so overwhelmed and grateful. The journey to Miss Maine USA and now Miss USA has been a journey in the works for over three years now. That was three years of non-stop training, dedication, and pushing myself beyond the limits I had set. I was feeling thankful for my friends and family’s unwavering support. They never doubted that I had this in me and would always do whatever they could to help me achieve my goals.

How does courage help you on your journey as Miss Maine USA?

It takes an immense amount of courage just to step on stage alone. Before competing my first year, I had never been on a stage or done a sport where you compete solo. When you are competing in pageantry, you are the only one on stage and everyone is watching. I think many girls are scared to get on the stage, I was too! But having the courage to overcome that fear and step onto the stage was worth it. Winner or not, you gain such confidence just from walking on the stage alone.

What do you do for self-care?

For me, self-care is taking a bubble bath and curling up in bed early. It is so important to take care of yourself mentally and physically when you are pursuing a goal like this. If you are not mentally and physically in your best place it can be very overwhelming. When I take my bubble bath, I include Epsom salts to help heal my muscles that I have been working tirelessly. When I curl up in bed, I sit in the quiet and spend some time journaling to recognize my emotions, and come up with solutions if needed.

What Is some advice you would give to anyone who is looking to pursue pageantry?

BE YOU! I have said it a few times before now, but it is THE most important thing.

Check-in on yourself regularly. Start journaling or find a way to connect with yourself mentally.

Make your body feel good! For me, this includes working out and eating healthy. I recognize that when I eat more junk food and I’m not getting my body moving, my body does not feel good. When your body does not feel good, you think about it constantly and it affects your mental state. By making yourself feel better, you perform better.

What’s one way people can support you on your journey to Miss USA?

Loads and loads of positive messages. Going into Miss USA is unlike anything I have ever done before. A kind message and the show of your support goes a long way!

Please go follow Elizabeth @missmeusa and @elizabethrkervin on Instagram to follow her journey!

Another way you can help Elizabeth is people's choice! Please vote! This will guarantee her a spot in the Top 15