JULIANA MOREHOUSE IS NOT ONLY EXTERNAL BEAUTY, SHE IS ALSO TEMPER, WORK, AND SOCIAL VISION

Miss Maine Juliana Morehouse is ready to make history in the Miss USA pageant. She's a 23-year-old beauty queen from Maine, the northeasternmost state in the United States, and she will be the first married woman to compete in the pageant's history. The Miss USA pageant has a long and storied history dating back to 1952. And while it's evolved over the years, one thing has remained constant: its strict rules regarding what contestants can and cannot do. Up until recently, one of those rules was that contestants could not be married or have children. 

Juliana Morehouse is poised to shatter that glass ceiling. Her participation in the Miss USA pageant could help make beauty pageants more inclusive and diverse, showing that women of all backgrounds and experiences can compete. 

Juliana's husband, Taylor Reed Locklear, is fully supportive of her pageant ambitions, and in fact, he's been there every step of the way, helping her prepare for the competition and cheering her on from the sidelines. 

Of course, the Miss USA pageant isn't just about breaking records and being beautiful. It's also a chance for contestants to showcase their intelligence, talents, and why not, promote the causes they support, and expose their points of view. 

She recently launched ‘Journals of Juliana’, where she reflects on modern culture. “I hope my readers see a different perspective on the world. So much of our culture today tells us that we have to think and be a certain way, and I like to look at life through a different lens. On the one hand, I see life romantically. I want to illustrate beauty through my writing. Whether it is the beauty of God, a realized dream, a special relationship, or spectacular scenery, I believe it is important to appreciate beauty. On the other hand, I hope to be a voice of reason. Many people don’t think critically or analytically anymore, and I want to restore deep thought to our culture”. 

As a philanthropist, Juliana serves as a community educator with the Alzheimer's Association providing presentations across Maine on the disease and how to prevent it. 

Juliana's family was affected by Alzheimer's disease, which is the sixth-highest cause of death in America. “When I was a child, my grandmother and my aunt had Alzheimer’s Disease at the same time and lived in my home while they were sick. I saw not only how it impacted them as victims of the disease, but also what a toll it took on my mom and grandfather as their caregivers. My aunt was only in her late 40s when diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, and it was especially tragic to watch her and my grandmother experience it alongside each other”, she said in an interview published on April 10th. 

For her year as Miss Maine USA, she plans to work closely with the association to assist in efforts towards finding a cure, and she will also encourage women across the state to strive towards leading a fulfilling and meaningful life. Juliana's historic win has already inspired others to follow in her footsteps. 

Her mission is to help reduce the stigma associated with it, educate people about the early warning signs, and provide support to those who are affected. 

Every year, she participates in the Alzheimer's Association's Walk to End Alzheimer's to raise funds for research and support programs. This year, the walk will be held in October, and she is hoping to raise more than last year's goal of $10,000. 

Juliana's message is simple - we need to come together as a community to fight this disease. She urges everyone to participate in the Walk to End Alzheimer's, donate to research, and educate themselves about the disease. 

Juliana's beauty is evident to the eye, but her actions enhance the mettle of her spirit.

MEET THE AUTHOR

Mariana González – Venezuelan journalist

I am interested in novelty, talent and creativity. I put my lyrics at the service of those who genuinely strive to build an alternate narrative about the common and humdrum. Rival Magazine has been the open window to put a face on emerging talent.