You may know her as the former Miss Kauai or as the daughter of Big Island’s head prosecutor, but there’s much more to Alexandra Roth than glamorous pageants and local politics. Originally from Hilo, Roth got her start in pageants unexpectedly, was crowned Miss Kauai at 18 and ran for Miss Hawaii the day after she turned 19.
Roth was inspired by an older pageant girl she saw as a role model. Her friend explained that there is more to participating in pageants than evening gowns and good looks. Miss America is a scholarship pageant and emphasizes personal development and community involvement and improvement. Roth decided to give it a try, and ran for Miss Oahu as her first pageant. Soon after, she ran for Miss Kauai and won. At the Miss Hawaii pageant, she was the third runner up from Kauai and was awarded the Academic Achievement Award.
The Miss America pageants include, “a talent portion, private interview, bikini, evening gown, and onstage question,” says Roth. The pageants also teach skills that are valuable later in life, “You have to have a personal platform. Mine was foreign language. One of the things you have to do is go for a private interview. I had to practice so much… It was really fun and helped me learn about myself.”
Roth says her family is a big part of what keeps her going. Her father was elected Head Prosecutor on the Big Island in 2013, the same year she won Miss Kauai. “It was a big year for our family… We were all there to support each other. I called my dad so many times during the pageant. He always knows the right thing to say and it helps me get through my day.”
Underneath Roth’s put-together exterior, she is just another college student dealing with the same problems all of us experience as young adults living in Hawaii, like which beach to go to or whether to work out or eat ice cream. Roth says, “I like ice cream, working out, singing, and hanging out with my roommates… I’m sure there are many things I dislike but I’d rather focus on the positive.”
She will be graduating at the end of the semester and is keeping busy, “I’m taking a lot of classes and working a lot and also interning.” Roth says after graduation, she wants to work in public relations. “I am currently interning at a PR firm downtown. It’s something that’s interesting and hopefully I can find something to do with that.” For those wondering if Roth is hanging up the crown for good, she says, “I might want to do miss Hawaii again too.”
To get involved in Miss America, you have to enter a preliminary pageant, “The rules are you have to be between 18 and 24. It’s free to enter, because it’s a scholarship pageant, and you get a scholarship just for being in it. You just have to fill out your paperwork, send in your bio, write an essay on your platform and have a talent. Then you just have to compete.” Roth’s advice for aspiring pageant girls is, “It’s a whole different world. I call it stepping into pageant land. It’s really important to stay true to yourself, believe in yourself, and just be determined, figure out your goals and stick to it.”
Roth leaves us with these wise words, “My dad always told me, ‘Whatever the mind can conceive and believe, it can achieve.’ It’s a Napoleon Hill quote. That is my advice for everyone.”
If you’re inspired by Alex’s story, and want to try your hand at competing in a pageant, you’re in luck! Her Campus Hawaii is hosting the first Mr. and Mrs. Manoa competition! Think you have what it takes to woo the judges with your dazzling personality? Apply now for a chance to win a variety of prizes and be crowned Mr. or Mrs. Manoa 2014!
Email your headshot with why you think you qualify to sammibaum@hercampus.com and hahyou@hercampus.com