Essex resident competing for Miss USA crown
Neely Fortune aims to win national title in Sunday’s contest
ESSEX — If all goes according to plan, one summer resident will have one more trophy to add to her rapidly expanding case:
Miss USA.
Neely Fortune, who grew up summering in Essex, will compete for the national title in Las Vegas this Sunday.
The competition is scheduled to be televised live on Fox beginning at 7 p.m.
Fortune, a University of Vermont grad, resides in Burlington and is the current titleholder for Miss Vermont USA, winning that contest in November.
The community-minded wildlife biologist is deeply-involved in the Green Mountain State, supporting groups like the Vermont PTSD initiative and Vermont Adaptive, a group that helps children and young adults with physical challenges enjoy sports.
Fortune, 24, intends to pursue a graduate degree with the ultimate career plan of working with wildlife conservation projects sponsored by nonprofit or government organizations, according to a news release.
The endurance athlete has been involved in conservation research projects throughout the world, including four months spent in Patagonia, Chile.
“In her own life, pageantry, while dismissed as frivolous by many, has provided her the self-confidence, the poise, and the skills to think on your feet, which have helped her to achieve some of her own goals,” said the release.
Fortune said while she’s in touch with her feminine side, she’s also not afraid to break down barriers.
“I’m an athlete, and going to Miss USA, I’ve been training like an athlete,” Fortune said in a video clip promoting the contest. “I don’t want to change my body to fit any specific mold or what I think somebody wants me to look like.”
Fortune, who arrived in Las Vegas last week, has been putting in long days leading up to the high-octane event, participating in everything from pageant-organized media blitzes to push-up contests for charity.
Proud parents Jan and John Fortune continue to live in the area. A brother, Brooks, lives in Denver.
Miss USA is not Miss America: the two events have co-existed in the pageant world for decades. While both feature swimsuit and gown presentations, the Miss America contest has a well-known talent component; Miss USA does not.
The winner of Miss USA will go on to compete for the Miss Universe title.
http://www.suncommunitynews.com/articles/the-sun/essex-resident-competing-for-miss-usa-crown/
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