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Pageant winner looks forward to the pomp, experience of big event
By Brent Killackey
Caitlin Morrall had previously come close to capturing a state pageant crown.
The 23-year-old Burlington resident was named first runner-up in the Miss Wisconsin pageant in 2003, and again this past June.
So when she finally captured a state crown - beating out 41 other contestants to win the Miss Wisconsin-USA 2007 Pageant in Richland Center on Sept. 1 - Morrall said there was a bit of relief amid all the excitement.
"I was ecstatic at first. I couldn't believe it," she said in an interview.
"I've never been on television for a pageant before," she said. "Right now, I'm just excited to be on NBC. I'm sure as it gets closer, I'll be a bit nervous."
The date and location of the Miss USA competition have not yet been announced, although the event is typically held in February or March, according to Jim Clingman, co-director of the Miss Wisconsin-USA pageant.
Miss Wisconsin-USA "tends to be a little more high fashion" than the Miss Wisconsin pageant, which is affiliated with the Miss America pageant. The Miss USA pageant winner competes in the Miss Universe competition.
"Miss USA is proud to be a beauty pageant while at the same time emphasizing someone who is able to communicate clearly and be a good spokesmodel and PR representative for the organization," Clingman said.
As Miss Wisconsin-USA, Morrall said she will focus on promoting awareness of issues related to breast and ovarian cancer.
"Both of my grandmothers are breast cancer survivors," she said.
Morrall has plenty of pageant experience.
She was Miss Racine in 2002, Miss Milwaukee in 2003 and Miss Southern Wisconsin in 2004. She has competed four times in the Miss Wisconsin pageant. This was her first time competing in the Miss Wisconsin-USA pageant.
Her inspiration for pageant competitions came about second grade from her baby-sitter, who was a Miss Burlington Area ChocolateFest.
"I always looked up to her and wanted to be Miss Burlington," she said.
She won that title last year, relinquishing it over Memorial Day weekend at ChocolateFest.
Morrall said she was a very shy girl growing up.
"Getting exposure to interviews and speaking on stage really opened me up and helped me come out of my shell," she said.
Her pageant participation has lead to scholarships that have paved the way to a degree from Alverno College in Milwaukee.
"Otherwise, I couldn't afford to go there," she said.
She's a senior majoring in elementary/middle school education with a minor in social studies.
The pageant might slow down her second semester schooling, possibly requiring part-time classes, but she's excited about the opportunity.
"The doors and connections this will open for me will all be important in the end," she said.
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