Christina Ackerman

Abbie Gentry

Hi, my name is Abbie Gentry, Mrs. Iowa 2016. I am a mother of two and have an amazing husband
Jonathan Gentry. I have 5 sisters and one brother and two sets of great parents. I have been working
towards Mrs. Iowa for the last year and have finally achieved my goal on June 25, 2016 and now I am
running for Mrs. America on August 27, 2016 in Las Vegas Nevada. By doing achieving my goals I have
been able to bring attention to Adoption Awareness. This subject is near and dear to my heart. When I
was 21 I gave birth to a baby girl. With my family and friends support and my faith, I gave her up for
adoption to a wonderful family. She receives the love, caring and family I had always wanted for her on
a daily basis. Through wonderful organizations like Hillcrest Family Services I found support, love and
others in similar circumstances. Throughout my pageant experiences I have been able to bring greater
attention to adoption awareness and will continue to do the same as I continue my reign as Mrs. Iowa
2016. Thank you for your time.
 

Do you want to be the next Mrs. Iowa America?

For more information about the 2017 Iowa pageant, please click here.
To enter the 2017 Iowa pageant, please click here.

Shaylett Stuckey

Hi ladies! I’m SO EXCITED to welcome our new directors Carl and Faith Schway! What a blessing it is to have such seasoned professionals pick up where Jody left off. This has been an amazing opportunity for me this year as Mrs. Michigan and I hope that you are getting yourself pageant ready to go home with the crown! (I don’t want to give it up but I hear there are rules against me keeping it!)
I’m not sure how many of you know what my dear friend and former director Jody has gone through, but it’s been a rough ride these past two years. After she lost her husband, she tried to press on. I won’t go into the details but I NEED you to know that she is a woman of character and excellence. I know in my heart that she would have never stepped away had the call and needs of her family not been so great. I am asking each of you to try and understand that the last thing she wanted to do was step away. But it was necessary.

The only thing that I know for sure is she would want the “show to go on”. TRULY! The BEST GIFT we could give her as she steps away from something she so fiercely protected and loved, is to travel to Minnesota this June and have our pageant. Jody has an impeccable reputation as a state director! I made my reservations last night for the hotel and I’m giddy already! I’m going to bring my mother and daughters and we’re making a road trip of it! The Mall of America may never be the same…

I haven’t had the chance to meet or speak with any of you, but I’m looking forward to a QUEENS DAY OUT in Minnesota! Keep in mind, many of you would have been coming from different areas in Michigan for the pageant in Grandville. As much as you’d love to have your friends and loved ones there, often they aren’t all able to make it. Don’t let the fact that its out of state distract you from reaching your goal. Mrs. America isn’t held in Michigan either, but your sponsors understand this. Your work with your local title, as well as if you become Mrs. Michigan America 2016, will be done in your state. The pageant is a weekend contest and you’ll be back in your state supporting and representing those whom have supported you too!

You know, 5 years ago, at 290 pounds, I would have NEVER DREAMED that I’d be winning the state title and going on to compete at the Mrs. AMERICA pageant! I even won Best Original Costume and Mrs. Congeniality! Are you kidding! Did you know I’d never done pageants before winning 2nd Runner Up in 2014?  I had so many distractions leading up to these competitions but I couldn’t allow them to keep me from my goal. I’ve got a husband, two very active daughters, a full time job, a jewelry business, and I could go on. I wanted to get the word out about supporting small business and female entrepreneurs. The doors that this little crown and sash have opened for me are indescribable. Don’t allow the distraction of traveling a little further keep you from reaching YOUR goals! Let’s rally and make this an experience to remember!

Be sure to read the information sent from our new directors and let’s begin gathering our wardrobe and toning up those last few inches! I for one am glad I’ll have a little bit longer to get into my favorite dress! THANK YOU so much for desiring to represent not only our great state but the married women who look to us as examples within our communities. Nothing happens by chance, it’s all by design. What are you going to do with this new opportunity? Now is the time to gather MORE sponsors and supporters. You’d be surprised who will be willing to help you if you just ask.
I can’t WAIT to meet you all! God bless and let’s show Carl and Faith that we are #MichiganStrong and it’s not just our lakes that are GREAT!
 

Nicole Saliny

“If you don’t try, then, you’ll never know.”  (Joycelle, Nicole’s grandmother)
Nicole Saliny was crowned Mrs. Minnesota America on June 20th at the Bloomington Theater & Arts Center in Bloomington, Minnesota where she competed with other accomplished, married women from across the state of Minnesota. Nicole also won the Swimsuit, Evening Gown & Best Complexion Award throughout the evening.
Nicole is a native of the beautiful land of 10,000 lakes, Minnesota. She is proud and excited to represent all married women of Minnesota! She was just married this year to the man of her dreams, Morgan Saliny, in the picturesque mountains of Santa Barbara.  Nicole and Morgan are both only children and family is extremely important to both of them.  They share a great passion for life and giving back to the community. Nicole and Morgan currently reside in the beautiful town of Victoria.
As a young girl, and even now, God and family have always been the strongest part of her life.  She was surrounded by such strong women who were amazing role models to her and who put family first.  Nicole loved spending time with her grandparents and she would make her own fishing poles to fish with them, take boat cruises, jump on the trampoline for hours, played cards and rode around the yard in go-carts.  She grew up in a family business that is focused on building and restoring antique cars. Her first car was a mini Model A Ford that she would ride in for hours!  And from there her love and passion for the classic car business has grown.  And still to this day, she loves going to car shows with her parents, her husband and their dog.
Nicole grew up as a dancer traveling across the country dancing for professional artists, dance groups and for the NBA as a Minnesota Timberwolves dancer.  She started modeling at the age of 8 which has led her to work domestically, and internationally, as a professional model.  She lived in LA as well as Japan for modeling and has been fortunate enough to travel the world in pursuit of her dreams. Nicole grew up in Arizona and later attended Arizona State University on an academic scholarship where she pursued Business/Marketing and Dance. She later studied at the Academy of Film & Television for Acting.  Nicole currently works for Life Time Fitness as the Corporate Campus Office Manager/Special Projects. She is also a Fashion Expert/LifeStyle Guest for Evine Live where she shares her passion for fashion and helping others achieve success and style in their wardrobe.  She also has her own styling business, Nicole Lauren Style, www.nicolelaurenstyle.com
In her spare time, Nicole loves working out, downhill skiing, swimming, boating, stand-up paddle boarding and spending time with their animals.  She enjoys traveling with her husband, going to concerts, theatrical events, painting and going to art galleries.  She also enjoys her time giving back to the community volunteering in organizations such as: Arthritis Foundation (where she is a Spokesperson and on the Executive Planning Committee), Make-a-Wish, Minnesota Zoo Foundation, Feed My Starving Children, Animal Ark Animal Adoption, Life Time Fitness Foundation and Children’s Read-a-thon.
This year, Nicole will be promoting her cause, Arthritis: The Invisible Disease, and diligently working to raise awareness and financial support.  She decided to compete in the Mrs. Minnesota America competition to meet new people, set challenging goals for herself and strengthen her ties to the community. Ultimately, she’d like to work with non-profits that focus on arthritis and help them to generate revenue and awareness. Nicole was diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis when she was a teen and has been actively managing and controlling it.  However, she is grateful that she has been blessed with the opportunity to help others as Arthritis affects over 53 million people and is the leading degenerating disease in the world.  “Throughout my life, I have been surrounded by strong women. Everyone from my grandmother, mother and my friends have encouraged and inspired me to take on this challenge,” she says. “I’ve been taught to persevere. It’s not easy living each day with Rheumatoid Arthritis, but being Mrs. Minnesota will allow me to have an amazing platform from which I can help and assist others dealing with the same physical issues that I do.” She adds that she does not want to simply create awareness about arthritis; she wants to provide people with the skills and tools needed for surviving and thriving while living with this disease.
 

Do you want to be the next Mrs. Minnesota America?

Jessica Gardner

“We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It’s not just in some of us; it’s in all of us. And when we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.” –Nelson Mandella
After capturing the state crown as Mrs. Cedar Rapids on June 20th, Jessica Gardner will represent the State of Iowa in the 39^th annual Mrs. America pageant!
Jessica left behind a promising career in real estate to pursue what she feels is her true calling. She is currently a dedicated, creative and enthusiastic Activities Coordinator at Prairie Hills Senior Living in Cedar Rapids. She says she is honored to bring the crown back home to share with the residents whom she serves and is over the moon to be given the opportunity to use her crown to serve a population of Americans who are very dear to her. Jessica is a passionate advocate for the advanced age population, and she chose to vie for the Mrs. America title on the platform of “Enriching the Lives of Seniors”.
“I will proudly serve as a representative of all married women in Iowa throughout my year of service, and I hope to raise awareness about the need for more caregivers to assist the growing elderly population. My hope is that I not only raise awareness, but that I am also able pull together those who want to help with those who need help. People need people. Even just knocking on a door and visiting for a while makes a world of difference. Continuing that connection to the world, that social engagement, is so important. Sometimes it’s the smallest gestures that make the biggest impact on seniors, helping to improving their overall quality of life.”
Jessica enjoys the outdoors with Rich, her husband of three years, and her family. Some of the Gardners’ favorite activities include hunting for shed whitetail deer antlers in the spring and kayaking down the “Wapsi”. Jessica is passionate about the arts and when she really lets her hair down, she allows herself to get lost in the music she creates on the piano, and has recently discovered a hidden talent for watercolor painting.
Jessica currently resides in Cedar Rapids with her husband, Rich and is the proud Mother of Stella and Step Mother of Blakely and Wesley.
 

Do you want to be the next Mrs. Iowa America?

For more information about the 2016 Iowa pageant, please click here.
To enter the 2016 Iowa pageant, please click here.

Laura W. Smith

“When you have a dream, you’ve got to grab it and never let go.” – Carol Burnett.  Empowering others to pursue their dreams is something Laura Smith deeply cares about in life, starting with her own children.  She is a tenacious mother of seven who has chosen to be deeply woven into her children’s lives.   She home schools and is very interactive in helping them develop their gifts and talents.  A pop rock band, acting career, dance, soccer and pageants are just a few of their ambitions which she has helped them cultivate on their journey.  Laura’s daily life has encompassed a broad range of activities and endeavors over the years, from teaching five of her children to read, to homemaking, to pursuing her own talents.  As a vocalist she has had the privilege of singing on several major albums, and currently has a modelling contract with “Real People Models and Talent”.
A life-long interest in art led to her attending the Art Institute of Atlanta after high school.  Today she loves to incorporate many forms of art in her service to her favorite non-profit organizations.  From jewelry making with orphans in Haiti, to painting with children in the Friday-Johnson home in Georgia, and helping to teach pottery to girls in the Wellspring Living home, Laura has exhibited the belief that art is an incredible aid in the healing and restoration of those affected by many forms of trauma and abuse.  She is known for being quite personable to everyone she meets.  Her desire is to work with and mentor women and young girls from all walks of life, including many who have come out of human trafficking at Wellspring Living.  Laura’s passion for bringing hope to hurting women and young girls has extended into missions in Haiti, which resulted in the Smith family hosting a young lady to come to Georgia and stay in their home while she pursued English as a second language.
Her desire to help those affected by difficult circumstances also led to her involvement with Bloom our Youth, an organization whose goal is to dramatically change the life path of foster children.  Laura’s involvement with these various organizations and causes is a reflection of the charismatic woman she is, and exemplifies her love for people and life.  As far as marriage goes, Laura has been married and deeply committed to her husband Chad for 19 years!  Together, they believe that a strong faith in God, humility, and cheering one another on in their life pursuits are the secrets to a great marriage and creating a supportive and loving family foundation.
 

Do you want to be the next Mrs. Georgia America?

For more information about the 2016 Georgia pageant, please click here.
To enter the 2016 Georgia pageant, please click here.
 

Leana’ C. Grimm

“No change can come if those who are impacted the most by discrimination are not willing to stand up for themselves.” Zainab Salbi
Native to Milwaukee, 26 year-old, wife and mother of 3, multi-talent artist, actress, musician and more — I am Leana’ C. Grimm, and I am honored to be your Mrs. Wisconsin America 2015.
My platform is centered around my deepest and darkest past: “Breaking the Silence: Ending Abuse, Poverty and Violence.” My plans are to share many of my stories of escaping from a childhood filled with physical and mental abuse, substance abuse as a teenager, homelessness as an early adult, a running rebel, and fleeing the pressures of society. I acknowledge situations that seem unreal that play hands in creating higher rates of lives ending with violence that our youth faces today. I know what it is like to be stuck as a teen, trying to get out. I fight the good battle to live a happy and free life. I am part of several major community programs in which I assist and am an advocate on behalf of.
I recently became the Creative Director of OutSquad Cheerleading Team of Outlet: Plugging People In, Inc., a Non-Profit designed to empower teens thru volunteerism opportunities throughout the city and with an additional, occasional cheer! I also work close with other non-profit organizations such as Pathfinders MKE and more throughout the state. I balance being a college student, who is going after a BA in Arts & Design with a minor in Politics and Community Leadership. I am also a Film Actress and a Musician with styles ranging from Opera to Jazz. I have an impressive resume as a freelance artist who loves painting, playing around with b/w photography, am a motivational speaker, activist, and volunteer. I am considered a “life coach” or advisor to the many individuals that I help, although I don’t like all the many titles.
My greatest passion is to work with youth of different backgrounds by sharing my creative skills and knowledge to promote turning negative experiences into growth and positive action. People who have suffered abuse and violence in their lives will relate to my personal stories of mental and physical abuse at home as a child until the age of 17. After that I was periodically homeless until the age of 23. I longed for a better life than my own childhood. Realizing that the world isn’t perfect and can sometimes throw curves balls of defeat, I decided to take a stand against my former existence and turn to God.

I read in the Bible, Matthew 7:7, “Ask and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find it; knock and it will be opened to you.” But what did it really mean to walk in boldness and not as myself, someone who was still struggling with confidence, doubt and a dark childhood?  With God’s help I have become an example for others of how to live a stable life, create a loving family life and help those in the community with a similar Life Stories.
I feel like the main and real reason I was chosen to represent more than the women and families of Wisconsin, is because of my funny sense of humor, how down-to-earth I am, how easy it is for others to relate to me and being from a culturally entwined family, that represents intelligence, traditions and the diversity that our modern America needs to see.  I work hard not only for my family and myself but for a city and state in need of someone like me.  I believe I have been called to Serve, Love, Exemplify and Give God Glory. If you turn the lights on then darkness is no longer dim — think about it and pass it on.
Follow her journey to the crown on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/MrsWisconsinAmerica2015
 

Do you want to be the next Mrs. Wisconsin America?

For more information about the 2016 Wisconsin pageant, please click here.
To enter the 2016 Wisconsin pageant, please click here.