Hi there! My name is Maria Montgomery. I first want to thank you for taking time to visit www.ModeledbyMaria.com. The journeys I take wouldn’t be near as much fun without my faithful blog/Twitter/Facebook friends. Also, this site wouldn’t exist without Gary Moyers and everyone at the Advocate Messenger who have created this website for your enjoyment. Thank you all as well for your endless support.

I am a Kentucky born and raised girl who grew up in a small town called Danville. I attended Boyle County High School where I am a true fan of the Rebels, and have just obtained a Bachelor of Science in Communication Disorders from Eastern Kentucky University. Although I have decided to model, act, host events, and travel, I don’t want to postpone furthering my education. Therefore, I am obtaining my master’s degree in Communication Disorders online through Western Kentucky University. This degree will allow me opportunities to assist children with disabilities in the school system by working as a Speech-Language Pathologist. However, I also will be able to work in rehabilitation centers, hospitals, nursing homes, clinics, and more in case my plans change!

Being crowned Miss KY USA 2009

I began competing in pageants around the age of 15 after watching my older sister compete in a couple pageants. I also was a cheerleader since I practically learned to walk, so performing has always been simply what I love to do. I found pageants to be a way to put this passion to use although I never really considered myself a serious “pageant girl.” I am honored that some of my titles include representing my hometown as Miss Boyle County which lead to competing with approximately 90 girls and being selected for the state title of Miss Kentucky County Fair. I also was chosen as Miss Kentucky State Festivals that same year. I had always dreamed of competing for the title of Miss USA. I can still remember the numerous years of recording the pageant and making sure my family gathered around the TV to watch with me. I eventually built up the confidence to compete for the opportunity to represent the Bluegrass as Miss Kentucky USA 2009. I simply wouldn’t have been able to compete without my friends and community who helped sponsor entry fees and related costs. Little did I know my life would be changed forever after being selected as Miss Kentucky USA 2009. I represented Kentucky for a year speaking to students, traveling the country, and competing as the youngest contestant and only ‘teenager’ at Miss USA.  It has been a true blessing to place in the top 5 during this internationally televised pageant owned by NBC and Donald Trump.

Going in for the audition at Ford!

When I first started modeling in 2007, I worked with an agency called Images out of Lexington, Kentucky. I later signed with Advantage Model and Talent Agency out of Nashville in hopes of reaching the Nashville market. Nise Davies, the owner of Advantage, invited me to participate in a convention called Actors Models and Talent for Christ (AMTC). This convention permitted models, actors, and performers to display their talents to agencies from literally all over the world! After the convention, I got a call-back to go meet with an agency called Ford out of Chicago. When they offered me a contract, I was speechless! Ford has been an agency I have long admired. I feel very blessed to be working with them now! Ford supplies major print/runway opportunities as I continue to work with Advantage (my mother agency) out of Nashville and do free-lance modeling jobs on my own.

One of my favorite parts about this lifestyle is the amount of traveling it requires. I am constantly on the go between Kentucky, Nashville, Chicago, New York, and other places across the country.  I also travel to Dallas, Chicago, Las Vegas, and Atlanta to work for the designer named Tony Bowls, who designed my dress for Miss USA. His gowns are truthfully breathtaking! Working for him is one of my favorite things that I do because I get to spend time with other girls from across the country who have become like my sisters. Regardless, Kentucky is still where I consider ‘home.’

Puppy Cali

Modeling in print, runway shows, and acting are all passions of mine. After receiving acting training through Advantage by established coaches, my first acting job included playing the “love interest” of Josh Groban in his music video called “Hidden Away.” I also enjoy being the emcee for special events and hosting interviews as I have done with UK athletics and public figures for www.amnews.com. Additionally, I help girls of all ages reach their dreams by teaching interview, runway, nutrition, fitness, and photography skills while encouraging self-confidence, self-presentation, and the importance of staying true to personal values and beliefs. A few more things I’m passionate about: my family, my cocker-spaniel puppy Calipari (yes, named after UK Coach Cal ), exercising, and cooking! I love learning about nutrition, trying new foods as I travel, and recreating unhealthy recipes to become healthy!

The quote by Mother Teresa that my mother told me sums up my outlook on life: “Never forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith.” I know that my current life chapters are happening for a bigger reason than and I couldn’t be more excited that you’re coming along for the  journey along with me. Thank you again; enjoy!

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Maria Montgomery of Danville, a 2007 Boyle County High School graduate, was crowned 2009 Miss Kentucky USA on Friday at Murray State University and will compete in the Miss USA pageant in April in Las Vegas.

The 19-year-old sophomore at Eastern Kentucky University called the victory “a huge blessing from God” and the “most exciting thing that has happened to me.”

Montgomery has competed in beauty pageants since she was 14 and was named Miss Kentucky Festival Grand Supreme on Nov. 23 at the Miss Kentucky Festival pageant. Previous achievements include being named 2007 Miss Boyle County Fair and 2008 Miss Kentucky County Fair, and winning the Garrard County Rural Heritage Festival pageant in August.

Miss Kentucky USA contestants age 18 to 26 competed in what Connie Clark Harrison, executive state director of the pageant, called a “highly competitive contest.”

Harrison, who has been the director for eight years, said she is “very excited Maria won. We are sending a very worthy representative to the Miss USA pageant who we think can bring home the crown.”

Contestants were judged on interview skills, an onstage interview, swimsuit and evening wear. The Miss USA pageant will also include a talent section.

Montgomery said winning the pageant is “a miracle and will open a lot of doors for me.

She said she “prepared in all sorts of ways – a whole lot of working out as well as emotionally and spiritually.”

“I couldn’t have done this without the help of my sponsors, friends, family and Kendra Reece, my roommate at Eastern Kentucky,” she added.

Reece, who is from Lancaster, helped Montgomery with makeup.

Montgomery is the daughter of Gary and Susan Montgomery and is studying communication disorders to be a speech pathologist. She has an older sister, Tracy, 22, and a younger brother, Max, 13.

The 58th Miss USA pageant will take place April 19 at the Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino in Las Vegas and will be televised on NBC.

Copyright:The Advocate-Messenger 2008