Hi! My name is Melaina Shipwash and I am the newly crowned Miss Colorado 2010! I could not have done this without Keely Nations being on my team of amazing people that helped me prepare for this year. She made me the best Melaina I could be for this competition and given the resources with which she has provided me, I will grow better and stronger as I prepare to compete for the title of Miss America 2011! Thank you so much Keely, for everything!!!
A little about me…
I am 24 years old and am a graduate student at the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs. I will be starting my Master’s Degree in Sports Nutrition in the Fall of 2011 after my reign as Miss Colorado is completed. I want to be sure to focus entirely on one thing or another so that neither being Miss Colorado nor being a student is at all compromised. I am passionate about nutrition for many reasons and am so grateful that it guided me to my platform, Project HEAL (Help to Eat, Accept, and Live). I am the Colorado ambassador for Project HEAL and the Help to HEAL Program. I raise money that is directly donated to a scholarship fund that provides eating disorder patients with the finances to afford rehabilitation and treatment. I am so proud and honored to be partnered with this non profit organization. If you would like more information about Project HEAL or the Help to HEAL Program, you can visit www.theprojectheal.org.
My hobbies include dance, ice skating, reading, and hiking. Dance provides me with a healthy outlet. I love going to the studio at the end of a stressful day, blasting my favorite songs, and dancing until I drop! I am a figure skating teacher and I adore each and every one of my students that I teach. There is nothing better than knowing you are making an impact on a child’s life for the better. Now, this may sound slightly nerdy, but I love reading anything that has to do with health and nutrition. Even though my Bachelor’s Degree is completed and I’ve learned so much about health science and nutrition, it is always evolving so those are the subjects that will always grab my attention. I am so privileged to live in Colorado Springs where I have access to the Garden of the Gods ten minutes from my house and the amazingly beautiful hiking trails it has to offer! I love to be outside and am constantly in awe of how gorgeous our state is.
My favorites…
Meal: Steak, sweet potatoe, and veggies
Movie: Happy Feet (It doesn’t get better than a tapping penguin!!)
Disney Character: Belle
Song: Rock That Body by The Black Eyed Peas
Color: Pink
Book: Captivating: Unveiling the Mystery of a Woman’s Soul
TV Show: Friends or Dr. Phil (It depends on my mood)
Outfit: Leggings, tank top, and a cute vest
Organization: Project HEAL and Miss America!!!
What’s to come…
My plans as Miss Colorado 2010 include so much I could write a novel, but I’ll keep it short and sweet. I plan to continue to organize fundraisers and help raise money for the Help to HEAL Program through my partnership with the Project HEAL organization as well as promote awareness of eating disorders to individuals across the state of Colorado. I also anticipate many appearances with the Children’s Hospital as well as with Special Olympics athletes, and continuing to raise funds for the Children’s Miracle Network. I look forward to being as involved as I can with our community and making a positive impact in whatever way I can. I also anticipate working very hard to prepare to the best of my ability for the Miss America 2011 Pageant taking place in January of next year. I have six short months to work on bettering myself, growing, and learning each and every day so I can represent Colorado with honor, dignity, pride, integrity, and make everyone proud to call me their Miss Colorado 2010! I am so excited for my year of service and cannot say thank you enough to everyone who has supported me along the way!!
Melaina Shipwash
Miss Colorado 2010