Megan Clementi: A True All-American Gal
By Madeline Marr
The Miami Herald
Megan Clementi has done it — clinched the title of Miss Florida USA 2010.
The Kendall native, 25, is still in shock.
“I think I’m still having problems understanding the significance of it all,” says the electrical engineering graduate of the University of Central Florida.
It is a significant achievement — Clementi now qualifies for the Miss USA competition. If she wins the April contest (at the Planet Hollywood in Las Vegas) she’ll make history. A Florida woman has never won Miss USA (well, once, by default, in 1967).
The former dancer with the Orlando Magic — whose platform is helping kids — was pretty confident when we chatted with her from her home in Orlando a few days after her weekend victory.
Though Clementi sounded tired — with reason — she was also in the middle of moving all her belongings to a pad in downtown Miami (a promise she made to herself if she won).
What do you think made you stand out?
“Thanks to my parents’ great genes, I’ve always had a lean body, but my physical trainer gave me the curves. I rocked the swimwear!”
Did you get stumped by any questions?
“There was no curveball, I was so prepared, but one question threw me off — `What is the biggest issue facing teens?’ Teen suicide immediately came to mind with all the Internet cyberbullying. Everyone was impressed.”
What do you think your chances are of becoming Miss USA?
“I have goals and am ready to put them into action. There’s a big difference between me and the girls who are doing it for the fun. I’m very focused.”
What is your next step?
“There are a lot of next steps. I want to do a lot of appearances and tour the state. Due to what’s been seen on TV lately, pageantry has gotten a bad connotation. I want to turn that around.”
