For the first time, a Florida woman will represent the United States in the Miss Earth pageant.
Nicole Kelley, 22, from Daytona, has been Earth-conscious since middle school. The University of Florida graduate started doing pageants when she was only 5, but for her, Miss Earth isn't like any of the others.
"You just have to have the desire to make your planet better or make your community better," Kelley said.
She has a bachelor’s degree in Food and Resource Economics. She used what she learned to get the Miss Earth Florida crown. Two weeks after winning that crown, she beat out all the other states and earned the title of Miss Earth United States.
"I have to go into a pageant wanting to win, but being OK walking away without the crown and getting the experience," Kelley said.
"You just have to have the desire to make your planet better or make your community better," Kelley said.
She has a bachelor’s degree in Food and Resource Economics. She used what she learned to get the Miss Earth Florida crown. Two weeks after winning that crown, she beat out all the other states and earned the title of Miss Earth United States.
"I have to go into a pageant wanting to win, but being OK walking away without the crown and getting the experience," Kelley said.
She said the experience of a lifetime is just around the corner in November. That's when she will compete against almost 100 others for the world title of Miss Earth. To prepare she is brushing up on her platform, which is educating children about agriculture.
She is also prepared to answer any questions that come her way.
She is also prepared to answer any questions that come her way.
So far, the most difficult question has been: "If you could speak to the president of Brazil, what would you say to him about the use of nitrogen fertilizers?"
Local
She answered by saying she thinks the focus needs to be what is being done in the U.S., then reach out to other countries to help them with their agriculture challenges.
When Kelley's finished traveling the world vying for the Miss Earth title, she wants to become an international agriculture contractor and put everything she has learned to good use.
When Kelley's finished traveling the world vying for the Miss Earth title, she wants to become an international agriculture contractor and put everything she has learned to good use.
The Miss Earth pageant will be held on Nov. 12.
