.::GIUGNO 2008::.

Reaching For The Stars

di Samantha Dossena

Vincenza Carrieri Russo, Miss Idea 2003 and Miss Delaware USA 2008, appeared in our previous issue, days before she participated in the prestigious Miss USA contest. It is my great pleasure to present a supplementary interview that will provide a better view of her fascinating experience with these competitions and a deeper insight into her personal life.

L’IDEA: How would you summarize your experience winning the Miss Idea 2003 contest? How did it help you prepare for winning Miss Delaware 2008 and participating at the prestigious Miss USA pageant?

Vincenza Carrieri Russo: Winning the title of Miss Idea 2003 was a tremendous honor and an exciting journey! The title offered me two important lessons. First, I recognized that it was crucial to hone my public speaking abilities. As Miss Idea, I had the opportunity to do quite a bit of public speaking, which helped me immeasurably in my preparations for both Miss Delaware USA and Miss USA . Second, holding the title of Miss Idea 2003 made me realize how important a titleholder’s job truly is! As Miss Idea, I felt that I was a voice for all Italian-American young women. With that glamorous crown came some real responsibility. After holding the title, I realized that I could do “the job.” Now, as Miss Delaware USA and a part of the national Miss USA Organization, I act as a role model and voice not only for Italian-American young women, but for all young women across the country.

L’IDEA: Taking part in a competition of such a high magnitude as Miss USA requires a lot of energy, both physical and emotional. How demanding was it on your life? Has it taught you anything that you feel is unique or extraordinary? Would you suggest the experience to anyone else?

Vincenza: It was extremely demanding -- not only physically but mentally, as well. During my preparations, my mom kept asking me, “Are you ready?” I said, “I’ve been ready…I've preparing for this moment for 9 years!” The Miss USA competition taught me that you can have all of the experience in the world under your belt, but having the right attitude is all you really need. And perseverance is everything. I made becoming Miss Delaware a personal goal and a dream…and I persevered for 9 years until I finally achieved it. I would definitely suggest to any young lady who is interested in pageantry to try and compete at least once in their life. It’s not for everyone, but you can learn so much about yourself. I felt that my 9 years of competing in pageants have all been a positive experience for me.

L’IDEA: Do you feel that you are a different person after such a challenging event? Has this changed your life? What are your aspirations for the future (career, life, family, etc.)?

Vincenza: Absolutely! Competing in the Miss USA pageant has changed me forever. I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to win a state title and to represent my state at the national level. It truly is a dream come true. There are many deserving young women out there that never receive this opportunity – and I am making the most of it! As Miss Delaware USA I’ve made hundreds of appearances throughout the state and across the country. These appearances are all great training for my future, which includes a job as a broadcast journalist. Someday, I hope you’ll see me every morning as an anchor on a show like Today or Good Morning America.

L’IDEA: At the time of the Miss Idea contest, you were a communications major at the University of Delaware ; has this remained the same? How has your college education helped you in achieving your goals?

Vincenza: My career goal has always remained the same. But, based on the highly competitive nature of the broadcast journalism world, I decided to switch my major to English, which offers a broader base of career opportunities for me in print media or even radio while I’m waiting for that “big break.” I am set to graduate next spring and my college education has given me a much clearer perspective on the world – not just in book learning, but in networking and real world skills that I’ll use for a lifetime.

L’IDEA: What inspired you to take an active part in trying to help people overcome illiteracy through Success Won't Wait, Inc? Do you feel that you are going to continue in this vocation of yours?

Vincenza: I never set out to co-found a literacy organization, but it has become a real passion for me – I can’t imagine ever giving it up! My personal struggles with school really help inspired me. When I was just 7 years old I suffered a serious illness which hospitalized me for over a month and even threatened to take my life. After being so seriously ill, not only had I missed many months of school, but my illness left me with severe concentration difficulties and an inability to focus. This illness occurred at a crucial time, when I was just beginning to read. Ever since then, I have struggled to keep pace with my peers in terms of reading comprehension and complexity of material. I believe it was overcoming those obstacles that instilled in me an incredible appreciation for just how important it is to read – and to read well.

L’IDEA: Is there anything that you would like to say to the Italian community unified by L'Idea magazine?

Vincenza: Everyone has a goal. Everyone has a dream. Certainly, not everyone dreams of becoming Miss Idea or Miss Delaware . But whatever your dream is, don’t listen to those that will try to bring you down. Believe in yourself! The road is sometimes long and oftentimes difficult. Persevere! And it you want that dream badly enough, you can’t quit, even when you begin to doubt yourself. In the words of the infamous Sir Winston Churchill, “Never give up! Never, never give up!”