Ms. America International 2012 - Carla Gonzalez

Costa Mesa, CA – May 7, 2012 – Carla Gonzalez from Oklahoma City, Oklahoma was crowned Ms. America® International 2012 on April 15 in Anaheim, California in a contest hosted by the Ms. America® Pageant. She also received the “Crown for a Purpose” award in recognition of her dedication to making a difference in her community regarding her platform, Anti-Bullying.

The Ms. America® International 2012 title is part of the special awards of the Ms. America® Pageant system.  National and international internet users voted her in as the People’s Choice Award on the Ms. America® Pageant website. The contestant with the most votes receives the prestigious title of Ms. America® International 2012!

Ms. America® International 2012 – Carla Gonzalez holds a Master’s Degree from the University of Oklahoma and is a clinical social worker, working for the state in the Health Department for over 20 years.  A motivational speaker Carla travels to schools throughout Oklahoma giving educational presentations in Anti-Bullying, Internet Safety and Teen Dating Violence. A community activist she serves on various boards and committee including: Single Parenting Network Organization, Human Trafficking Taskforce, Oklahoma Coalition Against Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault Advisory Committee and Violence Against Women and Girls Sub Committee.

“I am truly grateful and humbled to have received the honor of Ms. America® International 2012, this is an exciting opportunity! My goal is to take the work I am doing in Oklahoma into schools across the U.S. and work with school officials, policy makers and politicians to help strengthen current bullying policies on a state and national level, ” said Gonzalez.

In 2011, the Oklahoma Coalition Against Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Executive Committee honored Gonzalez with the “Power of One” award for her Teen Dating Violence Prevention efforts throughout the schools in Oklahoma.

A professional model, she has been featured on the cover of Supermodels Unlimited Magazine and can be seen in multiple SU magazine issues.  Carla has also modeled for many designers in various celebrity fashion show in California, Las Vegas and New York.

Nicole Rash from St. Louis, Missouri was crowned Ms. America® 2012 at the national pageant held Sunday, April 15,  2012 at the Doubletree Suites by Hilton Anaheim Resort in Anaheim, California.

State and regional titleholders from across the United States competed in five categories including interview, sportswear, fashion wear, evening gown and on-stage question.

2012 Ms. America® Nicole Rash’s walk across the stage to accept the crown marked her first steps on a journey that will take her from spotlight to spotlight representing the American woman 26 years of age and up who are single, divorced or married.

Rash, a Saint Louis, Missouri transplant, is originally from the small town of Plymouth, Indiana. She was Miss Indiana 2007, and received first runner-up in the Miss America Pageant in 2008. She is currently employed as a model, actress, and corporate spokesperson, and will complete her bachelor’s degree in Spanish from Ball State University in May.

Rash is also a philanthropist and is especially passionate about her platform of service "Breath Easy - Keeping our Youth Smoke and Tobacco Free." After losing 3 of her grandparents to smoking related illness, her cause is close to her heart and she has spoken to over 25,000 students so far about staying smoke free.  She has her motorcycle license and has owned 3 motorcycles, she grew up on a farm in rural Indiana where they raise cows, and she is a Presidential Scholarship Winner and will graduate with an overall 3.85 GPA.

As Ms. America® 2012, Rash is honored to represent an organization that enriches the lives of women across the country and is passionate about continuing to give back to others through philanthropic endeavors and being the inspiration that helps others achieve their dreams.

Major sponsors of the 2012 Ms. America® Pageant are Doubletree Suites by Hilton Anaheim Resort, Commercial Bank of California, Superior Wall Systems Inc., Orrick Herrington & Suitcliff, The Hoagy Co., Inc., The Anaheim White House, and MsBellezza Jewelry.

Ms. America® 2012 first runner-up was Lana Henry, Ms. Southern California; second runner-up was Stephanie Mills, Ms. New England; third runner-up was Laura Hunter, Ms. Washington; and fourth runner-up was Carla Gonzalez, Ms. Oklahoma.

The 2012 Ms. America International, the People’s Choice Award went to Carla Gonzalez.  This prestigious title must not only represent the pageant but also the Ms. America® fans as well.  Gonzalez was chosen by receiving the most votes online.

Richard Simon from Houston, Texas founded The Ms. America® Pageant in 1997. The first pageant was held on December 4, 1997 at the Luxor Hotel in Las Vegas. Contestants competed representing their state in the pageant. Susan Jeske from Colorado was crowned the first Ms. America®.  Ms. Jeske became the owner of the pageant in 1999.

To schedule an appearance for 2012 Ms. America®, please contact the pageant at: MsAmericaPageant@aol.com or call 949.679.8888

2012 SPECIAL AWARDS:

Ms. America International 2012 (People’s Choice Award) – Carla Gonzalez, Ms. Oklahoma

Spirit of America Award – Laura Hunter, Ms. Washington
Power of the Crown Award – Sherry Morgan, Ms. Virginia
Crown for a Purpose Award- Carla Gonzalez, Ms. Oklahoma
Media Award-Shanna Olson, Ms. Texas
Woman of Distinction Award-Stephanie Mills, Ms. New England
Ms. Photogenic Award-Nicole Rash, Ms. Missouri
Ms. Congeniality Award-Mai-Lea Delong
Community Service Award-Lana Henry, Ms. Southern California
Ms. Fitness-Stephanie Mills, Ms. New England

Ms. International 2011-12 - Deana Molle'

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